Accidental dry fire or the most common reason I've heard of is brushing a broad head bolt across the string......keep in mind the broad head tip is essentially a razor tip and will cut or damage beyond use the string pretty quick...I can change my own string in less than 5 minutes, in the field....the compound string if broken, ends the hunt until you go to the bow shop for repairs. It is unlikely to happen to either bow, but if it does.....the guy using the recurve bow can continue on. Just my 2 cents.