CARING FOR YOUR BOW

. . . .In order to keep your bow in good condition it should be re-haired at least once a year, as the hairs stretch with use and with time. The bow hairs should always be of the highest quality in order to reduce the strain on the bow. The bow hairs need replacing not when they break but when they are stretched by use or by changes of climate. From then on the bow stick starts to suffer and can warp. It is VITAL to clean the bow whenever the bow hairs are replaced and to change the leather wrapping as this absorbs the acidic perspiration from your hand which can harm and even rot the wood. Any distortion that the bow stick might have suffered such as the loss of the curve or a lateral curve should be corrected. This is very common.

. . . .It is important to check that the ivory point is not split as this protects the bow and if this deteriorates the bow loses this protection. The same applies to the other parts of the bow which may seem to be merely decorative but which in fact always have a very specific function. Perhaps the only part which serves no practical purpose is the mother of pearl eye in the nut.