This site is currently under construction. Please be patient

As Excalibur ads state, they are a model of symplicity. There is less to go wrong with them than any other crossbow. There is only one string, no cams, no cables, no cable slides etc. Limbs and strings are the only items that may fail and the failure rate is often attributed to abuse. As a general rule, I can fix anything on an Excalibur within an hour without special tools. The only backup you really need to keep at home is an extra set of limbs and a string that has been broken in. Having said that, it is better to have a backup bow than parts.

In regards to the strings that come with a new Excalibur crossbow, the string that comes with the bow is a perfect starter string. It is a basic string that is long lived, fast and very reasonably priced. When you buy your bow, get a second string for backup. Using it will help you decide if you really need a custom string or not. It works well enough for 90% of Matrix owners and puts meat on the table. Using it the factory string will also tell you if your latches are going to damage your new custom string. It’s a great practical string but my strings will lower shock and noise as well as look good. My strings take anywhere between 20 to 50 shots (depending on which string you choose) to stop creeping significantly and the factory strings take longer.

String Care
Wax the whole string every few hundred shots and let the wax sit overnight or longer. At the end of a day of shooting wax the serving and allow it to soak in overnight and remove any excess before shooting. Look for a soft, non tacky wax. Being soft allows it to be absorbed easier than a thick/hard wax which is especially important to the string fibers under the serving. Any excess wax will rob speed from your bow. Also, any real excess wax may end up in the trigger unit which may preclude the use of your bow until the bow is sent in for repairs. Any rubbing in of wax should be done with your finger or thumb. Using a hairdryer or leather may get the string too hot. When waxing the string just wipe the wax on, do not rub the wax into the string hard at all because it may remove the string dye or make the string "hairy". The string loops are often forgotten but they take a lot of impact so don't forget to wax the loops when waxing the string. The purpose of the wax is to reduce frictional wear of the center serving at the deck and the latches that hold string back, prevent water from entering the string and to prevent strand against strand friction. Put on only enough to make the string or serving look wet. You never want to coat a string or serving.

Once in a while take side off and rotate it half a turn then do the other side and rotate it the same way. The purpose is to wear the serving on both sides of the string and get more mileage out of the serving.

Brace height

How do you raise the brace height? Take one side of the string off and while looking at the side of the bow that you just unstrung, turn the string counter clockwise. Twisting the string keeps the serving tight and bulks up the string at the end of the serving preventing the serving from sliding out and causing serving separation. With a Flemish string if measure the brace height and you turn the string one turn at a time you will see a difference and know if you are going in the correct direction. The factory string is a bit different. It takes several twists to make a measurable difference. Both my strings and the factory strings all need counter clockwise turns to increase the brace height. Both strings should start with a high brace height. I want my strings to start off a little more than 3/8” from the string stops. The factory string should start off almost 1/2” from the string stops. Most Micros and Matrix bows should have a gap between the serving/string of 1/4” to 3/8”. Bulldog bows should be kept 2” from the end of the mainframe/rail. Too low is bad and higher is ok.