i wonder, has anyone ever shot a quality custom-maker modern laminated WOOD bow (no glass) "to death"?

i wonder about this sometimes because i shoot A LOT and i have some bows that it would just break my heart if they blew up on me somewhere down the line...

assuming a bow is made properly, starting with unflawed, quality materials, and cared for properly, is it reasonable to expect, say, 30-40 years of frequent service?

(i'm talking about laminated bows, of course...i realize selfbows and such have much  more limited lifespans.)

I would think so. I have seen properly cared for self bows with no backing last over 10 years going on 20.

I have a Bear static recurve Grizzly that has had plenty of use since 1952. still shoots well -took a small 6 pointer two years ago.
But I had a Roy Hall Navajo; the the riser broke at the shelf, and a new one would have been over $500, so I mounted the limbs on a compound riser and used it for paper - shot my best individual game with it (266). Sadly, the next week the top limb blew up...

It is hard to find a laminated all wood bow that contains no glass I would think, maybe Dryad has a couple and a few other bowyers. I have some self bows that are 15 years old or so and they still shoot fine. I have an old lemonwood bow that is at least 60 years old and that is still a shooter. Shawn

Without glass, the life is much more limited, IMO.  Could only guess at hows long it would last.  If I shot such a bow a lot, (several times weekly) I'd be happy to get 10 years out of it.  Will probably take some set and lose some case before they go.  Lots of wood around though.  Can always make another.

I would be happy to shoot the life out of a bow.  Anything I own is meant to be used.  Everything has a useful lifespan.  If I shoot it till it breaks so be it.  May not be happy about it, but would rather wear it out enjoying it that have it set on the wall not being used.

What a timely post!  I had my Schulz bow out today shooting (He gave it to me at the GLLI shoot in '93 after his seminar it was his personal bow he made for himself) with heavy arrows.  What a beauty to shoot.....it's a string follow split bamboo with no glass. At every shot it sounded like a fine tuning fork and buried those arrows with authority.  No hand shock......Let's see....that will be 20 years ago this coming July!  I'm just glad we have the same draw length!  I will continue to shoot "Ol'Granpa" from time to time until it gets too hard for these old muscles to pull him back......  :D    Horserod

Depends on the design and materials.  Wide and thin limbs stresses the wood less and should last longer than more highly stressed designs. A bamboo back and belly bow with the outer power fibres intact and heat treated should last quite a while.

I would think a string follow would be the longest lived.

God bless you all. Steve