The black hawk scorpion I won off **** should be here within the next couple days but I have a couple questions. Its an older bow (1960s) and I don't think its been strung for some time, is it safe to string it up and go shooting or should I do something first? Do older bows (in good condition) hold up well and do they last a while? Are minor nicks and scatches a bad thing? Thanks

I have read that is is a good idea to string the bow with a stringer, and just let it sit overnight.  Then I take it to a quiet place and draw it back partially a few times, then to full draw a few times, (letting it down slowly) listening carefully for any funny noises.  Then I shoot a couple arrows and listen some more.

RonP

Thats damn good advice right there.

Put on leather jacket, gloves and motorcycle helmet and shoot away.

If what Shaun suggested doesn't work, let someone you don't care for too much shoot it first...  :rolleyes:  just kidding, enjoy the bow.

An older man from my Church discovered my love for traditional bows and gave me a nice browning recurve. He said it cost him $26.00 when he bought it new and had taken deer with it. Excitement outweighed caution; I strung her up and went to shooting, I was lucky that after all those closet years that all went well. Used it hard for the first few years and added many scratches to it. Took  a couple of deer with it myself before putting it up to rest but now wish I had hung it on the wall to start with and saved it the battle scars. Point; if you have any other bow to hunt with use it and admire this one.

I disagree.
Use it, ding it, make lots of fun memories with it.
What good is it if you can't / don't enjoy shooting it?

Rons advice is sound and Flesner is correct, shoot the thing that  is what it was made for. I have a thousand dollar Widow that I just took bunny hunting today thru all sorts of nasty stuff. Bows are made to hunt with and those nicks and scratches in yours are someone elses memories. Shawn

Last two guys are probably right; still breaks my heart though to see the battle scares.

Its the Nicks, and Scratches that Give the Bow its "Character"!!      

I've got an old Herters bow.It's about 50 or so years old.It's the only bow I have though.It is great.

Wish my gift bow didn't have so much "Character"

Gene,

Those old Herter's bows are great. I bought mine new in 1974. My son has it now and loves it. They are shooters for sure. It has some character, but I agree with Shawn, bows are made to be shot. Better yet, they are made to go hunting. I have a new Kanati longbow that hasn't been to the woods yet. It is beautiful, and I dread the thought of the scratches and dings I know it will suffer in the woods. It would be more of a shame for it to never do what it was built for, so it will go hunting with me pretty soon. The scratches will come, no doubt, but so will the great memories.

Shoot that old bow! Failure to do so is like condemning it to a nursing home and waiting for it to die. I would rather die in the woods doing what I love than waste away in a nursing home. I won't make my bows do that either.

String and shoot it chances of it blowing up I dought it most old bows are ok to shoot if it breaks so what if you dont shoot it you will never experence what a good old bow it was or was not the lord hates a coward go for it you will be happy you did  

Pretty much everything said above is correct.

However, everyone missed one important answer.

These old bows are shooters.  If they have lasted 40-50 years without cracking up, there is no reason to expect that they won't last 40-50 more, ifproperly cared for and not abused.

The main thing about a bow that you just acquired, is that you don't know how it has been cared for.  Start gently as was stated above.  Check for splinters, delaminations, bad tips, etc...  

Once you are shootingit, it should be fine.  Form now on, keep it stored in a cool, dry place.  Away from excess heat and humidity.  Store it hanging horizontally on pegs.

ENJOY IT.