I got a "new" old stock Damon Howatt Hunter about a month ago, just got the string tuned and when I went to string it and shoot it the other day it had sort of gone stiff? I was using a stringer and could not, for the life of me, get the string on. So I widened my stance, hunkered down and gave it all I got and BOOM. Has this ever happened to anyone before? Your bow suddenly going stiff and then de-laminating when you string it?

http://s1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447/jmm1783/?action=view¤t=0215121316_01.jpg

http://s1086.photobucket.com/albums/j447/jmm1783/?action=view¤t=0215121312_01.jpg

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Wow that sucks, did you have the stringer to close to the tip?

If you bought it new and have a receipt, I'm sure Martin Damon/Howatt will warranty it.

Too bad!I am sorry for your Hunter!I am been lucky to never have such kind of experience.

Bows are not supposed to go BOOM !

I have not yet had a stick bow break on me.
Wonder if the wood got dried out ?
Sorry
ChuckC

I have not yet had a laminated bow break. I am hoping that I never do. It looks like yours had a failure along the glue line which to me would seem like the glue either did not get applied right, or the glue had bubbles in it and dried with gaps in between the lams.

Bought a Martin Savanna from Cabelas a few years back. Shot it for a week or two and had the tip blow out like that also, called Martin, sent it in and got a new bow back asap.Was very surprised and happy with the service. Gump said it best "it Happens" Give 'em a call

Wow, That sucks! Can you please tell us what style stringer you were using?

I feel your pain--hope it all works out.

Martin has awesome warranty service, I'll bet they replace it.

Been there and done that! Tore off a nail and almost broke my toe-barefoot-now I always wear shoes.
Sorry for your loss! Love those old Hunters.

A sad end for a fine bow. Sorry for your loss.

Bummer...

Sorry for your bad luck w/this beaut! Great looks, great weight!

I called Martin but they said the bow only had a 5 year warranty.. and the bow is about 30 so nothing they could do for me. Its a shame because the bow only had about 100 arrows put through it in its life time. The bow seemed odd to me from the moment I got it. Just a little too loud, too much vibration, and like I said it seemed to have gone stiff and simply would not bend when I tried to string it. I suspect the de-lamination was because it was made with quarter sawn lumber which can get a propeller twist after a while. But I really dont know... Im more of a longbow guy anyway.

I really dont think the stringer had anything to do with it. Bad lumber, bad glue, and time are the most likely culprits.
Thanks everyone for all the support!!
Jason

I had a bow Dave Gutherie built me when I was in my early 20's from Appalachian Archery. I waited like 6 months past when he said I'd get it when it finally showed. I shot it a couple times and really liked it. Had it sitting in my lap tying on the nock when BOOM !!!!!!  Delaminated on my lap inside. Sounded like a shotgun going off. Scared me to death. Glad you werent hurt. Sorry Martin couldnt help you.

BOHO, had the same problem with the same bowyer. Waited almost 8 months for a 4 month delivery.

I shot it in our indoor range and the next night was getting ready to go shoot it again. I strung the bow and got ready, went to grab the bow and delaminated.

Dave had a pretty fair breakage rate as I recall.  I saw quite a few broken bows in the scrap pile behind his shop.

Regarding the stringer issue--they can result in a broken bow if you use one that has an end cup.  If while you pull up on the bow you let it twist a bit, you are suddenly pulling the tip to the side--the limb tip will torque on you and can cause delamination of the tip or a twisted limb.  I've seen it happen.  Best recurve stringer I have seen is the one Ben Graham supplies with his Hummingbird bows--a leg strap that you cannot torque the limb with while stringing.  He has a video of that procedure on his web site.

Jason,
That's a bummer man. Maybe you can run up on another one pretty soon that you can buy right.
David,
Thanks for the tip on the recurve stringer. Just watched the video, thinking I'll probably get one. Good idea.
Charlie