How long will a bow last

stick_string · April 30, 2009, 11:08:00 AM

Just curious...how long will a glass backed bow last (baring any rediculus use!!)

Thanks.

stick_string · April 30, 2009, 11:09:00 AM

How long until the limbs "fail"?

R H Clark · April 30, 2009, 11:41:00 AM

I know of some that have been going over 50 years.

sj_lutz · April 30, 2009, 11:47:00 AM

I've got an early '70s Bear Grizzly that still shoots great. I'm sure there's folks around with older bows than this one.

Whip · April 30, 2009, 11:49:00 AM

Probably longer than I will!

longbowman · April 30, 2009, 02:25:00 PM

The average age of my current bows is 25 yrs. I'm 55 so they will most likely still be used when I'm long gone.

reddogge · April 30, 2009, 02:44:00 PM

My youngest bow is 37 years old and my oldest is 51 and all ages inbetween. All are going strong and shooting well.

bawana bowman · April 30, 2009, 03:07:00 PM

My oldest bow of known age is my 1955 Bear Kodiak, it was built the same year I was born. We both turn 54 in June! I believe it is in better shape than I am for our age!! I still shoot it and have yet to hear any squeaks, creaks, or complaints from it. Wish I could say the same for my body!
I have a few bows which I know are older, just don't know for sure how much older.
I've only had three bows ever fail me.
2 of them were laminated longbows which I made using a batch of bad epoxy. They both collapsed at the fades, 1 on top, 1 on bottom.
The other was a Bear Bearcat T/D, with the magnesium riser. Upper limb collapsed at top of riser, never could figure out why.
But I believe most bows that are well cared for, will have a life expectancy that far exceeds its owners.

hormoan · April 30, 2009, 03:14:00 PM

I have a 1954 Grizzly and a 1957 Kodiak Special still in great shape and working order. And man I love that 57 wow what a great shooter!!

Steelhead · April 30, 2009, 03:20:00 PM

Depends on the bow.i have had 50 yeaar old bows that looked and shot great.I have shot a favorite bow about 500,000 times literally with no issues.

I have had 2 risers blow up on bows that were less than a year old and one had a limb blow that was less than a year old.Blew one other one up.

In general I expect them to last a long long time.

Bert Frelink · April 30, 2009, 06:51:00 PM

I will be shooting a 1952 Bear Grizzly this year.
How long untill the limbs fail???
I think you hit the nail on the head with your quote"baring any rediculous use"
Whip said it well: probably longer than I will.
Bert.

Hawkeye · April 30, 2009, 11:38:00 PM

I'm guessing 157 years (plus or minus!!)

JEFF B · April 30, 2009, 11:40:00 PM

how longs a bit of string

Ssamac · April 30, 2009, 11:40:00 PM

Still shooting my 56 Kodiak and it shoots strong
sam

Mo. Huntin · May 05, 2009, 06:28:00 AM

I have heard that a bow shooting a fastflite string will not last as long as one not, even if it is designed for it. Is this correct? the estimate I heard was about 10 years.

stick_string · May 05, 2009, 08:30:00 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Hawkeye:
I'm guessing 157 years (plus or minus!!)

Hawkeye · May 05, 2009, 09:41:00 AM

Well, Ben, I guess you'll have to continue with your plan to become independently wealthy, and leave the "greats" and "great-greats" a H-U-G-E trust fund. By that time, a top-flight custom bow should be no more than $1.78 million (unless you want the horn tips), so they should each be able so buy several each!

Keep saving those aluminum cans... it's going to take SEVERAL!!

Problem solved(?!?!?)

Daryl

Cyrille · May 07, 2009, 03:10:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Mo. Huntin:
I have heard that a bow shooting a fastflite string will not last as long as one not, even if it is designed for it. Is this correct? the estimate I heard was about 10 years.

I don't know if that's true or not, but I have a Black Widow coming with at least one "fast flight" string and this post has me concerned perhaps I should send the string ~~back for replacement with conventional string ~~does anyone have any knowledge pertaining to this question? Inquiring archers want to know.~~~~

James Wrenn · May 07, 2009, 04:25:00 PM

I have heard b-50 is tougher on a bow than fast flight because of the stretch.A lot of old bows are still shooting after many years.Many more have bit the dust in that time.Who knows how long something will last but draw length and the way the bow is treated will have much to do with it.If not built with a defec most will last a longer longer than we will shoot it before buying something else.

Shawn Leonard · May 07, 2009, 05:31:00 PM

I have owned bows that were 50 plus years old and have owned FF bows that were near on 20 years old, no issues with either. I believe if kept properly a glass bow will outlast us all in the age department. Shawn