How Much Does it Cost to Restring a Bow?

Whether you’re a veteran bowhunter or someone who has just started, you likely know that, at some point, you’ll need to restring a bow. This is something you may be able to do yourself, although you also have the option of having it done professionally. However, it’s a good idea to know your options before you’re faced with needing a bow restrung.

How Much Will a New Bow String Cost?

If you find yourself needing to restring a bow, you may be preoccupied with determining the cost of the new bow string before you decide how you’ll restring. However, the cost of a new bow string will vary depending on a few factors. Keep in mind that this section will discuss the cost of new strings only–we’ll talk about labor costs a little later.

Getting New Strings for Your Compound Bow

Compound bows are the choice of many hunters and competitive archers, as these bows are less taxing on your upper body. And because of the growing popularity of compound bows, there are several materials to choose from when it comes to selecting your new strings. These are some of the common ones:

• BCY 452X–This is a very standard string that is long lasting. It offers a good balance of durability and speed, and it comes in many custom colors.
• Trophy–This string type has been updated for improved durability, but it’s less stable than some fibers.
• BCY 8125–This is one of the fastest string types you can get. It also is sometimes used for recurve bows.
• BCY D97–This string is both durable and affordable, making it great for beginners or those on a budget.
• 8190–This string is both fast and durable, but it isn’t as stable as some choices.
• BCY X99–This quiet string offers a balance of speed, durability, and stability.

String pricing varies greatly depending on how much you need, the string type you purchase, and where you purchase it. Generally speaking, strings will cost you between $60 and $200. Before buying, it’s a good idea to shop around and research different string types–this will help you choose one that suits your needs and your budget.

Getting New Strings for Your Recurve Bow

Recurve bows are a great choice for those who admire the look and feel of traditional archery. But unlike the older longbow design, the recurve bow takes some of the strain off of your upper body. It does this by re-curving the bow ends, making your bow shaped a bit like the number three.

If you need to restring your recurve bow, there are two broad string types to choose from–the Flemish twist and the endless loop. Endless loop strings tend to be more affordable, but they tend to come in fixed lengths, making it difficult or impossible to fine-tune. A Flemish twist has braided ends. These strings are durable, and they also have a beautiful, vintage look. For this reason, they’re a popular choice among traditional archers. Cost for these strings is similar than cost for compound bows, although most of these strings are on the less expensive side.

If you aren’t sure what type of string is best, it’s wise to talk to an expert and do some research of your own. In many cases, strings for these bows can be made of the same materials used for compound bows.

How Much Will Labor Cost?

On its own, the labor cost to restring a bow usually isn’t much. When many people talk about bow restringing cost, they’re including the cost of the new string itself. Archery shops and sporting goods stores may offer you a discounted labor rate if you purchase a string from them. But if you separate out the labor cost, it usually comes to about $20.

It’s also possible to restring your bow yourself. However, it’s important to approach this process with a healthy degree of caution. Improper restringing can damage your bow and the string, and a poorly-strung bow will be less accurate. If you’re going this route, be sure to consult a how-to guide or video by someone knowledgeable.

How Often Will Your Bow Need to Be Restrung?

How often will you need to restring a bow? The frequency of restringing depends on both bow use and personal preference. Generally speaking, a bow should be restrung at least every three years. If you’re a hobby shooter who only uses your bow occasionally, you can likely get away with having it restrung less often.

The easiest way to tell if your bow needs to restrung is looking at it closely and running your fingers down the string. If you see or feel small bits of fuzz starting to form, you know that the string is starting to wear out. Luckily, there’s a way to extend the life of the string–bow string wax. This wax can be used to tame any fuzziness in the string and to keep it in good condition.

What Happens if a Bow String Breaks?

A bow string can break for a host of reasons. Poor sho oting form (usually form that puts too much torque on the bow), a worn bow string, or a damaged arrow can all cause a string to break. And dry firing (pulling back the string and releasing without an arrow) can also result in a broken string.

If your string breaks while shooting, it also may cause injury to you. Strings might look small and unimposing. But if you’ve ever watched a video of a bow being shot in slow motion, you can see the power behind the string. Getting slapped with a string is at best uncomfortable, and at worst injury-causing. It can also damage your bow and cause an arrow to fly in an unpredictable direction. Given the fact that a broken string can become very dangerous for you and others, ensuring your bow string is in good condition is a must, as is knowing when it’s time to restring a bow.

How Much Does It Cost to Restring a Compound Bow?

As mentioned earlier, the cost to restring a bow varies depending on several factors. A compound bow will often be more expensive to restring. This is because the shooting mechanism is more complex. Unless you’re already an expert in tuning bows, make sure the price of restringing includes tuning your bow. This will ensure that you’ll be able to shoot accurately, and it will also make sure your bow doesn’t become damaged.

How Much Does It Cost to Restring a Recurve Bow?

A recurve bow is usually less expensive to restring, as the restringing is a simpler process. In most cases, the majority of restringing cost for these bows will be the cost of the string itself. Plus, if you’re interested in learning how to restring a bow yourself, a recurve bow makes this easier.

That said, as a beginner, it’s wise to pay someone to restring your bow. Depending on where you go, the service may be willing to let you watch them restring your bow, and some may even give you tips for when you restring yourself.

Summary

Archery is an ancient sport that still draws many enthusiasts today. Whether you’re a hunter, a target shooter, or even an occasional hobbyist, archery offers opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. And while many people may balk at paying the price for new strings, the fact is that this is an essential part of the hobby itself. And unless you’re a high-level professional who needs incredible expertise, the cost to restring a bow isn’t likely to empty your wallet. With some research and shopping around, you can keep costs low and keep your bow shooting perfectly.