If a single hair breaks, use scissors to cut it from the bow. Pulling the hair will loosen the knots that hold the hair in the tip and frog.

Avoid touching the hair. The natural oils on your skin will counteract the gripping effect of the rosin.

Make sure you do not over-tighten the bow hair. The distance between the stick and the hair in the middle of the bow should not be much wider than a pencil for violin and slightly wider for a cello. Always loosen the tension of the bow after each playing session, for the bow can lose some of its camber if you do not.

If the frog is loose or wiggles, the eyelet, which provides the female thread for the screw, may not be in the correct position, or the hole for the screw may have become too large. This should be checked by a professional.

The faceplate (tip) of the bow is not just an ornament; it protects the wood from damage. If the very tip of the faceplate breaks off, the exposed wood will wear, devaluing the bow. If a crack forms from the side of the mortise, the tip may not withstand the pressure of the plug. This should be attended to.

Wipe off the stick of the bow before storing it. Always store the bow in your case to avoid damage. Leaving a bow on the lip of a music stand is especially dangerous in orchestra situations.

Use the bow for playing only. Do not point or gesticulate with it while talking, and never applaud by tapping the bow against a music stand.

It is very important to keep the thumb leather near the frog of a bow in good condition. If it is worn through to the wood, have it replaced immediately. Many valuable bows have been severely damaged in this area by the thumbnail because the thumb leather was worn down and not replaced.