Lol I was shooting in my basement when it blew up. The reason I draw back so far is because I have a 73 inch wingspan.

Keeping a bow in the house in winter many times dries them out and this happens. Not saying just saying.  I keep my selfbows outside in an outdoor shed after a rash of this type of thing several years ago, has not happened since.

Mike

Hmmm maybe that is why it exploded with no warning.

Hmmm maybe that is why it exploded with no warning.

yup i know what thats like!!

Sorry for your loss.Glad your o-k. I hate bow funerals.Had one last year.We were close.

Was that a selfbow or board bow ? The break appears to have started with some grain runout. And yes, that's a bit short for your draw.29x2 plus the handle section of say, 12" and you have 70"

It was a hickory stave selfbow and there were no lifted grains or splinters on it. I am guessing that the stress the limbs finally took it's toll.

Double post

Bummer. Sorry that happened.

Sorry about the bow and the fact duct tape won't fix it! And glad you are not physically hurt.I feel your pain emotionally.

Thats exactly why I keep at least 3 staves drying all the time!  When I start on a new one another stave gets put up for drying.  Luckly haven't had one go BOOM in the last few years!
Got to love that Osage!  Maybe one year I'll try a different wood, maybe not.
Get to work on another one.  Hunting season is comming!
Glad you weren't hurt.
Hate it was one given to you by your grandfather.  I'd peice it back together, and hang it up, just for the memories!
Johnny/JAG

How wide were the limbs?  I've made a couple of hickory bows in the 66" range that were tillered to 30"  They took some set but none broke yet.  You can probably get by with that draw length in that length bow by making the limbs a little wider.  Mine are 1 1/2" to 1 3/4" in width to mid-limb then tapering to around 1/2" tips.  But I've only made a few and they may blow sometime.

Aaron