How Long Does a Bow Last?
Everything has a lifespan – your fridge, car, and your bow is no different. Many products come with a warranty, but you wouldn’t rate a product highly if it broke an hour after the warranty expired. When you invest in quality merchandise, you expect years of use beyond the warranty. When it comes archery equipment, there are a lot of factors that will determine their lifespan. One common question that many beginner archers ask when shopping for a bow is – How long does a bow last? If you take good care of most modern bows they can last for decades: Compound bows – 25-30 years Recurve Bows – 20 years + Longbows – Between 20 and 30 years Crossbows – 15 years or more So, how long will your bow last? That’s one of those questions with a range of answers because it depends on you and how you treat your bow. In theory, with the right skills and access to replacement parts, you can keep a bow in full working condition and hand it down to your children. However, many things happen over the years – manufacturers go out of business, change their models, and develop newer and better technology. The Sum of It’s Parts The life of your bow depends on what can break or wear out – its component parts. On most bows, you get the option to replace some of the components to keep your bow in prime shooting condition. In theory, you could keep your bow going for as long as you want, but the limiting factor is the availability and price of spare parts. The best advice on buying a used bow is that you should look for a bow less than ten years old, because of updates in technology and potential problems getting replacement parts. The number of components that need to be replaced depends on the type of bow you shoot. Quality Time The amount of time you spend on shooting with your bow will impact on its wear and lifespan. A bows life is measured by: Number and type of arrows it fires. Frequency of use. Your shooting form. Accidents – Dropping the bow or an accidental dry fire. Storage. Maintenance. Maintaining your bow properly is a practical and efficient way of making sure that your bow is safe to use and prolongs its useful life. Different types of bows need different levels of maintenance due to their various components. Shooting arrows is putting mileage on your bow – heavy arrows and light arrows absorb different amounts of kinetic energy. Excess kinetic energy vibrates and stresses the bow. Plus, you may have a habit of putting some torque on the bows limbs. In the same way that everyone wears out their shoes in their own unique pattern, every archer puts different wear on their bow. The amount of quality time you spend with your bow – whether it’s bowhunting, target practice, or maintenance all impacts on its lifespan. Bowstrings Obviously, all bows have bowstrings, and these need maintenance and regular replacement. Before and after any shooting session, inspect your bowstrings for any signs of fraying or breakage. Regular conditioning with bow wax keeps the string waterproof and smooth. This one is my favorite. Watch out for grit and dirt to avoid having abrasive particles damaging your bowstring. Pay attention to the sharp edges of your arrowhead as these can nick or cut your bowstring. What Type of Bow are You Shooting? One big factor in determining how long a bow will last is: Exactly what type of bow is it? Compound bows, recurve bows, longbows and crossbows all have different factors that will affect their useful lifespan. How Long Do Compound Bows Last? A compound bow is a marvelous and intricate weapon with many components that all have to function smoothly together. All compound bows include: Riser – Grip, and accessories. Limbs – Solid, split, or parallel. Cams – Round wheels, soft, hard, single, or hybrid. Bowstring, cables, and cable guard. Limbs Manufacturers make replacement limbs because the limbs on your compound bow can wear out or break over time. There may be defects that cause early splintering or snapping, or damage could happen during use. Modern limb materials are far less prone to damage than wood, but the limbs are still the parts of the bow that are subject to the most stress. If the limbs break, it’s a potential hazard from moving shrapnel. Part of your regular bow maintenance is to carefully inspect the limbs for any cracks or signs of damage. Suppose you have a dry fire – it’s best to put the bow back into a hard shell case, as there could be an explosive limb breakage in the next few hours. Limbs can also suffer damage from dropping the bow, accidental knocks or improper storage. This case is great choice for most compound and recurve bows. Cams Cams are generally robust and smooth moving, and potential problems include derailing (cables or string) and getting bent out of shape. Unless you have bow technician skills, you should rely on an annual service and tune-up to sort out any cam issues or replacements. As part of your checks, you can make sure that the cams operate smoothly and symmetrically with no apparent damage or problems. Also, have someone else hold your bow at full draw while you inspect the cams. Often times the cams will appear normal at first glance, and you can only see that they’re misaligned when the bow is at full draw. Loose Components Every time you fire an arrow, you rattle your bow. All the screws will start to slowly work loose. Listen carefully for any rattling, and check over all of the attachments to make sure everything is tight and secure. If you use your bow daily or frequently, make sure you tighten up all your screws once a month to stop problems developing over time. This also gets you in the habit of performing a regular inspection