All archers want their equipment to perform at a top level and last as long as possible. With this in mind, most archers are diligent about waxing their bowstring. It’s well known that wax will keep a string from drying out, making it less prone to stretching and last longer.

My first thought while watching this YouTube video was “Can this be true?”

Because I’m skeptical when learning an archery gear tip online that contradicts what I’ve been doing for decades, I spent some time researching the topic. And I must admit, the host in this video, Olympic recurve shooter Jake Kaminski, appears to be correct. (FYI: Jake competed in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games for Team USA and won two silver medals.)

In the 9-minute video, Jake explains his simple waxing rule for dramatically improving bowstring longevity: “ Burnish the string in ONE direction and always keep doing it that same way.”

Watch and learn! And be sure to pass on this tip to customers who walk through the door of your pro shop.