What to do with Old Heavy Bows?

tippit · July 11, 2016, 09:01:00 AM

I have a ton of Old Heavy bows...Recurves, Longbows, and Selfbows. Very difficult to sell now days. BUT I'm now back to enjoying many of my Old Bows again. My skills of grinding knives has brought new life back to these bows. I have no problem taking 10-15# off a bow and a couple up to 24#. Some I have to redesign and retiller the limbs but mostly it's just removing a lot of Glass or Wood.

I know most bowyers will only take about 5# off and I totally agree with that as it is a liability/safety issue. Before anyone starts to questioning me...I Never sell any bows that I have worked on Nor do I take weight off anyone else's bow. I'm taking them down to 40-43#@28. They look great (Not Hack Jobs) and shoot great. So far I've never had one break and I test they on my scale to 30 inches draw....I draw 27 1/2 inches. Any 55# bow and down...It's Grinder Time!
tippit

July 11, 2016, 09:04:00 AM

Well then, you've answered your own question!

Blackhawk · July 11, 2016, 09:19:00 AM

I support your efforts.

It does seem bows over 50# are only good for tomato stakes these days. Are we now just a nation of wussies?

BTW, got any old Bear Kodiaks over 90#?

Ragin Bull · July 11, 2016, 09:26:00 AM

That should keep you busy for a while Jeff

ron w · July 11, 2016, 09:28:00 AM

With your talent and skills I would have no problem buying a bow that I thought was desirable that you had reduced. It is hard to sell a heavy bow sometimes but if you let it go cheap......they will sell.

Charlie Lamb · July 11, 2016, 09:51:00 AM

I hear ya Jeff. I've got a wall full of bows that I'd love to move but with nary a one under 65# I doubt that will happen any time soon.

They're just too heavy to reduce to a weight I can use.

tippit · July 11, 2016, 10:05:00 AM

Charlie,
Believe it or not but I just reduced your Old "Brownie for Gary Norris" Osage selfbow 2pc to 43#...loving it again! That sucker had enough Osage to make Two selfbows!! My grinder with a 36 grit very aggressive belt makes a lot of Yellow Saw Dust in very short order. I can finish a bow in less than an hour and only have to do the last sanding by hand. No wear and tear on my body.

tippit · July 11, 2016, 10:16:00 AM

This post isn't about Wussies! It's about enjoying Traditional Archery after getting Old...70 now with two back surgeries, total knee, and shoulder. I'm talking about having fun. I could care less how much weight anyone wants to shoot. I physically can't shoot heavy anymore...period!

Charlie Lamb · July 11, 2016, 10:16:00 AM

I'm trying to remember that bow but just don't seem to recall.
Too many bows made and not enough memory I guess.

tippit · July 11, 2016, 10:20:00 AM

Charlie,
It was a beauty but very heavy...still is a beauty. Only problem is I had to grind off your lettering.

redfish · July 11, 2016, 10:29:00 AM

That's great. I have often wondered what good the old heavy draw bows will be after we get(got) too old to pull them.

tippit · July 11, 2016, 10:34:00 AM

Charlie,
What weight are you shooting now? I might have a proposition for you.

Tajue17 · July 11, 2016, 10:57:00 AM

Jeff if you know Jacques Bonin from NH he still loves those heavy bows,, I think he only posts on the other forum now but I'm thinking you may already know him so give him a shout if you have any heavy poundage bows especially any classics you need sold.

macbow · July 11, 2016, 11:22:00 AM

Jeff what type of grinder are you using.

cacciatore · July 11, 2016, 11:22:00 AM

Jeff,well done you gave those old Bows a new life

tippit · July 11, 2016, 11:36:00 AM

macbow,
I have a KMG with 2X72 belts. I use the rubber backed Rotary Platin attachment that has the slightest give as apposed to a hard surface. Therefore helps prevent any gouges. For glass bows, I'll use a worn 220 grit belt. For selfbows and Bamboo backed bows, I'll use a new 36 grit aggressive belt. I'll weigh and check tiller after a few passes. Then smooth everything with a worn 400 grit belt. Final hand finish out of 280.

Michael Arnette · July 11, 2016, 11:36:00 AM

I love bows in the 55-60# range I'd see what you can get for them!

tippit · July 11, 2016, 11:38:00 AM

Well Michael,
I have plenty of those cause I used to like them too. A lot of them are classic bows from bowyers no longer making bows.

achigan · July 11, 2016, 11:52:00 AM

Good on Ya Tippit. Way to take the lead!

Ron LaClair · July 11, 2016, 12:05:00 PM

QuoteI have a ton of Old Heavy bows...Recurves, Longbows, and Selfbows. Very difficult to sell now days

Even worse, I've got a bunch of LEFT HAND bows from 80 to over 100#

All they're good for is to hang on the wall for my grandkids to point to and say, "My grandpa shot those bows when he was young"