BROKEN STRING

[H-MANEOD]

Friday I received my 54" recurve from Maddog Archery.  I set the brace height at 6.5 inches, put some otter fur on the string, set the nock and headed outside.
 I am making a hugh change from RH to LH, you see I am left eye dominant and have always shot right handed but trow balls left.  When I made the change over to trad, I went RH and haven't seemed to master it.
 So here I am with my new LH bow and today got time to go to the range.  After about twenty shots, the string broke when I released.  I wasn't hurt, bow is ok and I found the string in the trees.
  Here is my question.  Is it common for trad strings to break like that?  I have two Maddog long bows, RH, and have never had a problem or is this just a odd event?
  Might have to get rid of some RH bows, like the LH shooting.

[Boomerang]

No, it's not common for strings to break very often unless something is cutting them. Check your string grooves to make sure there are no sharp edges cutting your string and keep your string waxed so it doesn't fray. I usually replace my strings once a year whether they look like they need it or not. They should last for several thousand shots.

[Chumster]

Where did the string break, that might give you a starting point.
I had purchased a hand made arm guard once and after a few shots with it, my string broke. I realized the deer horn buttons were the culprits. Each time I shot, the string would graze the horn button nicking it. Just a thought!

[Bowwild]

I've been shooting various bows since about 1966 and have never had a bowstring break.  

I keep a good eye on my strings, keep them waxed and if one starts to look like it is wearing, I replace it.

I have received a bow or two in trade that had strings I was afraid to shoot because of too much wear where the arrow is nocked.

[KSdan]

Did you have a RH string on the LH bow?    

[gringol]

Did the string actually break, or did one of the loops unravel?  The loops can unravel without much warning, and it can be pretty frightening.  It acts just like a string break, but when you inspect the string, you'll see it isn't actually broken.  Like the guys said, keep the string waxed, inspect the loops each time you string it, and it's a good idea to replace the string each year if you're shooting it alot.

[Drewster]

Glad to hear neither you or the bow were hurt.  Sounds like a freak accident.

[Killdeer]

That sounds like a real low brace for a recurve, too.

Killdeer

[centaur]

That's what I was thinking too, Killdeer. Might have unstrung itself.