Author Topic: Should I get my bow checked out first? (Read 729 times)

Charlie Tango · « **on:** December 15, 2003, 04:00:18 PM »

I want to shoot my bow after fifteen or twenty years of it hanging in the case in the basement. After I last shot it I loosened the screws on the limbs. Should I take the bow to a bow shop and have it inspected or do you think it is safe to torque back down and shoot? The bow is a Pearson Rouge.
Thank you
Charlie Tango

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2003, 05:38:48 PM »

Charlie, I'm assuming your bow is a laminated recurve. In that case I would check to see if the finish is in tact. If the finish is good, there shouldn't be any problems with shooting your older bow.

The danger usually comes when part of the finish is compromised, and over time moisture invades your wood. That over time can cause your bow to delaminate when put under stress. What you should be checking for is bare wood that has been exposed to air. Slight scratches should be of no concern.

If you are concerned with the possibility of the bow delaminating while under stress (full draw), then by all means wear a pair of safety glasses when shooting until you feel certain that the bow is going to stay intact.

I know a fellow who had a brand new laminated bow break on him last summer while he was trying it out with a vendor at an archery shoot. It did serious damage to his eye causing permanent damage that cannot be completely fixed and he doesn't have full use of the eye anymore. It would definitely be better to be safe than sorry.

I seriously doubt anyone except the manufacturer would be willing to vouch for the integrity of the bow due to the liability aspects.

However, keep in mind that there are hundreds of thousands of bows being shot that are over 30 years old that have held together just fine. Good luck.

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2003, 02:09:16 PM »

Charlie Tango is right I have been shooting mine now 30 years and it still has plenty of life in it. I always flex the limbs or draw the string back part way to limber it up before I start shooting it. as for all if laminated check to make sure the finish is not cracked, chiped, or pealing off this would allow moisture in and brake down the glue within the limb.

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2003, 02:27:22 PM »

The bow is a compound bow.

Thanks

Dutch/AL · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2003, 03:42:32 PM »

LOL is it a traditional compound Charlie?

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2003, 03:26:41 AM »

I don't understand what you mean by traditional. The limbs are not made of wood, I am not sure what they are made of. When I bought the bow it was not super expensive so I am sure it is nothing too high speed.

TheBowhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2003, 04:13:44 AM »

ok I see here charlie I did not reconize the name so I did not mention anything about it as being a compound and you considered it old so to you thought it was traditional. I will try help you some here, we consider the traditional bows to be ones without wheels. I.E. Recurves, and longbows. These are the ones most of us started shooting and hunting with long ago before the wheel was put on the limbs. these bows limbs were laminated, with glass.
Those of who Bow's made of all wood by ourself or someone else is called the selfbow (all wood) call these are in the primative class, as they are made like the indians and the caveman. But some where along the line the primitive and Taditional got combined.
I hope this help you understand it better now.
I also hope evry here has a Happy Holiday and hop you all have many more.