Title: Berry bow blows up
Post by: elkken on July 20, 2012, 08:20:00 PM
Post by: elkken on July 20, 2012, 08:20:00 PM
I was out shooting my 55# JD Berry Renaissance today when the lower limb blew up. I was at full draw.The bow flew about five feet forward and my string hand smacked my face pretty good but no other damage to me. I have had this bow for many years and have owned three other Berry bows with no issues and years of good shooting. I had shot about 30 arrows when it came apart.
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010011.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010015.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010014.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010011.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010015.jpg)
(http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu113/elkken/P1010014.jpg)
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: njloco on July 20, 2012, 08:23:00 PM
Post by: njloco on July 20, 2012, 08:23:00 PM
That sucks !, glad your O.K. with maybe a minor shot to the face.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: SCATTERSHOT on July 20, 2012, 08:27:00 PM
Post by: SCATTERSHOT on July 20, 2012, 08:27:00 PM
That's really a shame, looks like it was a beauty. Glad you weren't hurt.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Goshawkin on July 20, 2012, 08:39:00 PM
Post by: Goshawkin on July 20, 2012, 08:39:00 PM
ARRGGGHHH!!! Man,sorry to see that.It gives you a sick feeling when it happens. I had a Widow limb let go once.
I've had a Berry Serpentine for at least 11-12 years,it's one of the best R/D longbows I've shot.
I've had a Berry Serpentine for at least 11-12 years,it's one of the best R/D longbows I've shot.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: ron w on July 20, 2012, 08:43:00 PM
Post by: ron w on July 20, 2012, 08:43:00 PM
Man that sucks :scared: :scared: :scared: .....was it real hot out or did it get dinged some how?
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: elkken on July 20, 2012, 08:58:00 PM
Post by: elkken on July 20, 2012, 08:58:00 PM
No Ron it is not hot in Seattle, 70* and cloudy. Bow was a 9 out of ten and always stored in my bow rack. It had never been hunted but out to a 3D or two over the years. I try and shoot all my bows a few times a year just to keep the dust off. I have thought of selling this bow many times but always kept it because it was such a good looking and shooting bow.
If you look at the pictures the lower limb looks to have split along the length and the full width of the limb, but there is a chunk that stayed laminated and the split is on either side. The split went all the way to the tip and up to the riser. The upper limb shows stress, cloudy, between the glass and the limb laminations. It really sent a shock through the bow.
If you look at the pictures the lower limb looks to have split along the length and the full width of the limb, but there is a chunk that stayed laminated and the split is on either side. The split went all the way to the tip and up to the riser. The upper limb shows stress, cloudy, between the glass and the limb laminations. It really sent a shock through the bow.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Red Tailed Hawk on July 20, 2012, 09:01:00 PM
Post by: Red Tailed Hawk on July 20, 2012, 09:01:00 PM
!["[dntthnk]"]("graemlins/dntthnk.gif" "\"\"")
That just doesnt seem right. Sorry about your bow and glad that you are ok.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: tracker1 on July 20, 2012, 09:04:00 PM
Post by: tracker1 on July 20, 2012, 09:04:00 PM
Wow I'm glad you are ok. Sorry to see the damage to a great bow.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: iohkus on July 20, 2012, 09:42:00 PM
Post by: iohkus on July 20, 2012, 09:42:00 PM
That seems odd, that it should split like that on the belly side at full draw. Glad you weren't hurt.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: rastaman on July 20, 2012, 09:52:00 PM
Post by: rastaman on July 20, 2012, 09:52:00 PM
Glad you weren't hurt Ken! You can tell your doctor you passed your stress test! I know that had to scare the crap out of you!
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: ron w on July 20, 2012, 09:58:00 PM
Post by: ron w on July 20, 2012, 09:58:00 PM
Well I'm glad you didn't get hurt bad. I guess we a take for granted our bows and should always check them out be fore shooting.....not that it would have made a difference in this case. Any bow can fail at any time. I have had a couple come apart on me over the years.....makes you a bit gun shy the next time you shoot.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Frenchymanny on July 20, 2012, 10:01:00 PM
Post by: Frenchymanny on July 20, 2012, 10:01:00 PM
That is bad :(
Good thing is your are not hurt!
I would send the remnants of the bow to the bowyer for a post mortem analysis
F-Manny
Good thing is your are not hurt!
I would send the remnants of the bow to the bowyer for a post mortem analysis
F-Manny
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on July 20, 2012, 10:33:00 PM
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on July 20, 2012, 10:33:00 PM
Bummer Ken,
Glad you are still in one piece!
Glad you are still in one piece!
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: huntnmuleys on July 20, 2012, 10:42:00 PM
Post by: huntnmuleys on July 20, 2012, 10:42:00 PM
glad you werent hurt man. thats a bummer, but the most important part is still in one piece!
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: YORNOC on July 20, 2012, 10:46:00 PM
Post by: YORNOC on July 20, 2012, 10:46:00 PM
You never know! You can always get another bow, but thats the only face you've got. You are a lucky guy.
Whats your backup plan? Already have another good one or are you going to buy?
Whats your backup plan? Already have another good one or are you going to buy?
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: AWPForester on July 20, 2012, 10:50:00 PM
Post by: AWPForester on July 20, 2012, 10:50:00 PM
Sorry bro. God Bless
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Shinken on July 20, 2012, 10:52:00 PM
Post by: Shinken on July 20, 2012, 10:52:00 PM
That's some BAD news Ken!
I am glad that you're doin' fine!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
I am glad that you're doin' fine!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: moththerlode on July 20, 2012, 11:30:00 PM
Post by: moththerlode on July 20, 2012, 11:30:00 PM
A little Gorilla glue and she'll be fine
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: elkken on July 21, 2012, 12:09:00 AM
Post by: elkken on July 21, 2012, 12:09:00 AM
Motherlode ... just what I was thinking !
Fortunate for me I wear glasses with poly carbonate lenses, my right eye is the only one I can see good out of. I have amblyopia, lazy eye, and can't see better than 20 / 800 out of my left eye. I hit my glasses pretty hard when my hand hit me in the face. But thinking back my mom used to whack me better than that so i'm good to go.
As far as replacement bows I might have to start looking for another longbow. I'm down to two LB's, a nice 3pc Tree Stick and a 2pc Big Jim Thunderchild and a hand full of recurves. I have been thinning the herd but may have gotten carried away. I had a PLV I traded a while back that I wish I had back. It was a 2pc 64" 52# I think, sweet shooter ! Had Ravensgate on it if anyone knows where it is at ... :thumbsup:
Thanks for all the kind words ... accidents happen
Fortunate for me I wear glasses with poly carbonate lenses, my right eye is the only one I can see good out of. I have amblyopia, lazy eye, and can't see better than 20 / 800 out of my left eye. I hit my glasses pretty hard when my hand hit me in the face. But thinking back my mom used to whack me better than that so i'm good to go.
As far as replacement bows I might have to start looking for another longbow. I'm down to two LB's, a nice 3pc Tree Stick and a 2pc Big Jim Thunderchild and a hand full of recurves. I have been thinning the herd but may have gotten carried away. I had a PLV I traded a while back that I wish I had back. It was a 2pc 64" 52# I think, sweet shooter ! Had Ravensgate on it if anyone knows where it is at ... :thumbsup:
Thanks for all the kind words ... accidents happen
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: jwhitetail on July 21, 2012, 03:00:00 AM
Post by: jwhitetail on July 21, 2012, 03:00:00 AM
Jeepers! That was some meltdown! Glad you are OK. Wonder what happened. I think its a fluke... I have two Berry Bows and love them. I have not had them for long but they are first rate in the quality and shooting dept. Hope you find a good replacement.
JW
JW
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: GRINCH on July 21, 2012, 03:14:00 AM
Post by: GRINCH on July 21, 2012, 03:14:00 AM
Ken just glad yor alright.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Plumber on July 21, 2012, 04:55:00 AM
Post by: Plumber on July 21, 2012, 04:55:00 AM
they all go at some point.nothing last for ever.glad you wernt hurt.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Hopewell Tom on July 21, 2012, 05:35:00 AM
Post by: Hopewell Tom on July 21, 2012, 05:35:00 AM
I know the feeling, unfortunately.
Glad you're OK, but it sure is a shocker when it happens.
Glad you're OK, but it sure is a shocker when it happens.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: A.S. on July 21, 2012, 06:27:00 AM
Post by: A.S. on July 21, 2012, 06:27:00 AM
What a bummer Ken. I'm glad you didn't get hurt!
Now comes the fun part...replacing it! :jumper:
Now comes the fun part...replacing it! :jumper:
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: COOCH on July 21, 2012, 09:29:00 AM
Post by: COOCH on July 21, 2012, 09:29:00 AM
That sucks Ken. I've been away for a wile and the first post I see is this.Glad your not hurt.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: dnovo on July 21, 2012, 08:01:00 PM
Post by: dnovo on July 21, 2012, 08:01:00 PM
I'm not sure it's a fluke. I fell in love with Berry bows a few years back and really enjoyed shooting them. Starting getting a few and out of 8 I have owned 4 of them broke, 3 of them identical to your limb. Sold all but 2 of the others. One of the bows I kept is a takedown that James only made a few of and it has never been shot.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: rick7 on July 21, 2012, 08:50:00 PM
Post by: rick7 on July 21, 2012, 08:50:00 PM
sorry for your lost but glad you are ok
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: jmrsyrs on July 21, 2012, 09:08:00 PM
Post by: jmrsyrs on July 21, 2012, 09:08:00 PM
Glad you're ok. I'd probably be a little gun shy for a while after that.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Bullfrog 1 on July 22, 2012, 08:13:00 AM
Post by: Bullfrog 1 on July 22, 2012, 08:13:00 AM
Did you call JD? BILL
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Goshawkin on July 22, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
Post by: Goshawkin on July 22, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
For the guys that had the Berry bows let go,I'm just curious what your draw weight and draw length were. What weight were your arrows?
I have a Berry Serpentine.It's one of the best looking bows I've seen and I hated it when I first got it! It was shocky and loud.I figured out my arrows were to light,even though they worked great out of other bows that were the same draw weight.I switched over to heavier arrows and the bow was awesome,no shock,quiet and it still threw the arrows as fast or faster than my other R/D bows.I'm just wondering if your bows were taking a beating from light arrows?
I'm a sucker for Hill style bows now and would sell any of the R/D bows I have left,except my Serpentine.
I have a Berry Serpentine.It's one of the best looking bows I've seen and I hated it when I first got it! It was shocky and loud.I figured out my arrows were to light,even though they worked great out of other bows that were the same draw weight.I switched over to heavier arrows and the bow was awesome,no shock,quiet and it still threw the arrows as fast or faster than my other R/D bows.I'm just wondering if your bows were taking a beating from light arrows?
I'm a sucker for Hill style bows now and would sell any of the R/D bows I have left,except my Serpentine.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: dnovo on July 22, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
Post by: dnovo on July 22, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
Nick
For your question about arrow weight, my bow that let go were all in the 54- 57# range and I've always shot wood arrows of either POC or ash. weight ranges from 550 at the very lightest to my average of 650. So I don't think arrow weight had anything to do with it. All the ones I've seen fail have all been limb failures in the same areas of either top of bottom limb. The failures are all on the belly side.
For your question about arrow weight, my bow that let go were all in the 54- 57# range and I've always shot wood arrows of either POC or ash. weight ranges from 550 at the very lightest to my average of 650. So I don't think arrow weight had anything to do with it. All the ones I've seen fail have all been limb failures in the same areas of either top of bottom limb. The failures are all on the belly side.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: deathwind on July 22, 2012, 12:09:00 PM
Post by: deathwind on July 22, 2012, 12:09:00 PM
I had a JD Berry break just two weeks ago that looked exactly like your break except it was the top limb that let go. I bought the bow several years ago,new, and I had put it up for a few years. I had gotten it back out and had shot it for a little over a week when it let go on me. I've had a lot of bows break over the years and I just chalked this up to bad luck. I think JD Berry makes a great bow but any bow can break.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: L. Harris on July 22, 2012, 12:22:00 PM
Post by: L. Harris on July 22, 2012, 12:22:00 PM
Dang!!! Glad your OK! Knocked myself un-concious one time when the top limb tip broke off my recurve. Everybody else saw the humor in it imediatley, however it took me a couple days to find it funny!
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Goshawkin on July 22, 2012, 01:12:00 PM
Post by: Goshawkin on July 22, 2012, 01:12:00 PM
Daniel,Thanks for that. It was just a thought on why they let go. :dunno:
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: on July 22, 2012, 02:17:00 PM
Post by: on July 22, 2012, 02:17:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by elkken:I have two questions for you: Why in the wide world of sports did you post this here for all the world to see?? :dunno:
I have had this bow for many years and have owned three other Berry bows with no issues and years of good shooting.
How can anything good come from this thread?
Let it die boys....**** happens to everyone. Build a few hundred bows and it'll happen to you one day.
I can't believe the mods have not nuked this...
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Blackhawk on July 22, 2012, 02:34:00 PM
Post by: Blackhawk on July 22, 2012, 02:34:00 PM
Personally, I see nothing wrong with Ken's post. Folks discuss things that happen to them all the time...good and bad. I did not see Ken or anyone else faulting the bowyer. Besides, Ken is one of the good guys not meaning to inflame.
A warning to all to check your bows occasionally is good advice too.
A warning to all to check your bows occasionally is good advice too.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: Rick Richard on July 22, 2012, 02:43:00 PM
Post by: Rick Richard on July 22, 2012, 02:43:00 PM
I aggree with Blackhawk in that it is just sharing an experience and a reminder for all of us to check our equipment every once in awhile to make sure that there are not any warning signs there.
Title: Re: Berry bow blows up
Post by: elkken on July 22, 2012, 07:15:00 PM
Post by: elkken on July 22, 2012, 07:15:00 PM
My intent with this post was not to bash or blame Berry bows, as I mentioned I have had several of them with good results and years of fun shooting, the intent is about safety.