I use common sense and a little care.  Has been working for a long time.

I'm with Orion.

Otto, does a $ 1,250 Blacktail count?

I try to be careful with my bows.  That being said, I've taken a couple of tumbles down some scree rock that ultimately took a bit of a toll on my bow.  If you're hunting in the mountains and you don't slip and slide a little on some of the varied / steep / rocky / wet / log-ridden / grass / moss-covered terrain, you have far balance and coordination than I.

What about plasti-dip?  Shouldn't do much of anything to the draw weight and it peels off when you're done.  Look at what folks have been doing to cars with the stuff.

homebru

I make my own, and while I do my best to make them nice, I don't mind the scratches. I've always been a hunter/woodsman first, archer second. Besides, they don't shoot right till they get a little blood on em. You gotta train em  

QuoteOriginally posted by PaulDeadringer29:
I can relate completely Daniel, I hate getting a nick or tiny scratch. When I get something brand new, it stays looking brand new for as long as possible. Just stay in 100% stealth mode when going in and out of the woods to protect your bow, it'll probably help you see more game too, lol.

that is a great point!  The main reason i was asking is last year a friend and I were hunting primarily out of a canoe and i would have to lay my bow down on the floor of the canoe, put stuff on it, it on stuff, etc. while paddling through back water thickets. I would just rather know that my bow is protected from scratches and dings to the best of my ability.  

I know some think that nicks and dings give their bow "character", but if thats the case, i hope mine never has any character.  I like nice things to stay nice to the best of my ability.

QuoteOriginally posted by mahantango:
There is a big difference between use and abuse. I use my bows and guns just like the tools that I make my living with and they all still look pretty good. A little care goes a long way.

Very well said and my exact sentiment.  My bows are tools to help in the pursuit of one of my greatest passions.  They are a huge part of my life in one way or another and certainly get respected and cared for to the extent needed to keeping them functioning well and certainly never abused but...  It's a tool.  Use it as such.  Poly finish and spar varathane continue to produce more everyday.

I think I have a couple pairs of the old style camo bow socks if you want a pair, PM me your address.  I don't use anything.  I try to be careful and watch where I walk, like around briar patches and not thru them.

I have owned my custom made longbow for 8 years, no limb coverings and no scratches.

Use it because when you are gone the next guy that owns it is going to.

Satin finish on my Black Tail, I had it refinished this winter by Black tail's Allen Pope.  Great job done. They told me it is extremely durable, but I had it done to reduce glare on the bow.

My mom made me a set of limb covers from camo parachute material, but again that was because of the white limbs.  I don't worry about scratches much.

I buy my bows and all my hunting stuff to be used, so if any items get some character, it is part and parcel of the equation. Fly rods, cameras, and even my truck have a few dings from being utilized for the jobs for which they were designed. I, too, have some marks from living life. It is all part of doing what we do.

I take care of stuff too; a bow is a tool and not a grand piano. You can gage the skill of a craftsman by looking at his tools and the stories they tell. I like my stuff to show signs of enjoyment.

Plasti-dip.  May stick to my copperhead skins, though.
homebru
 

QuoteOriginally posted by Bobaru:
Otto, does a $ 1,250 Blacktail count?

LOL...  Yeah....  I think that counts!!  LOL!!!

How many curse words did you mutter to yourself on the way down!!!  LOL!!!!

They are not dings and scratches, they are memories.

And besides, it's a Widow, the assembly line on those runs 24/7/365

No one picking up one of my hunting bows would ever ask if it has seen some "adventures"  I am sure in some locations I would be arrested for bow abuse - I call it building memories

No one has mentioned Onestringer's limbstations yet. Awesome way to camo / customize / protect your limbs (not to mention they're sponsors and darn fine folks to deal with). Made primarily for the back of the limb, but could be used belly and back. Might get a little pricey if covering both back and belly though.