Phenolic risers

[T.L]

Hello all,
I was curious about people's opinions on phenolic risers? do they weigh considerably more than other wood options in a one piece design? Are they worth the extra cost?
thanks,
 Tom.

[O.L. Adcock]

Tom, check your PM's...O.L.

[Bill Carlsen]

I think they are very nice. The added weight and their inherent stiffness puts them in a class with all metal riser. Here's a pic of the all phenolic riser I had Jim Elrod make me a few years ago. Very sweet shooting.

[James Wrenn]

They add weight and I think to some degreee assorb sound so are quieter than some materials.They however are no stiffer than a lot of woods and less than many.Unless the riser is massive you can feel them bend after shooting a stiff metal riser. jmo

[O.L. Adcock]

James, Your opinion is correct! IMO       ....O.L.

[James Wrenn]

Yeah they are not as stiff on a hot afternoon as they are when you leave the house on a cold morning either.  

[Jedimaster]

I think phenolic is a very asthetically pleasing riser material.  Looks very cool with wood combinations or alone.  I also like heavy risers because I tend to shoot better with heavier materials so it appeals to me.  I will defer to the opinions above as much more knowledgeable than mine pertaining to shooting characteristics, etc.  I just think it's purty and feels nice  

[amar911]

I like mine, but I would not say they are particularly heavy. I prefer light (physical weight) bows anyway and my phenolic riser bows (Morrisons) are relatively light compared to my other three piece bows.

Allan

[Rick P]

You do know Phenolic = plastic, right?

Bakelite and richlite are also Phenolics

[Jedimaster]

Well there I go confusing micarta and phenolic again.  Yes, this has been explained to me before.  I don't neccessarily have a dislike for phenolic but the riser material that I am fond of is micarta.  Still like the looks of dark material though, like the ebony dymondwood as well.

[amar911]

Yes, I think everyone knows that phenolic is plastic, usually laid up with layers of linen or paper. The glue in the wood laminated bows, the fiberglass resins in riser and limb laminations, the foam cores in some of the limbs like those made by Morrison Archery and others is all plastic too. And plastics are hydrocarbon based materials -- like people, animals and plants -- just put together in a different arrangement by man. Is there a problem with plastics that we should be concerned with?

[cch]

I have a Cascade 52" recurve with a phenolic riser and really like it. It is a take down so the riser is big. I don't feel any bending in it at all and it is as warm as wood when it is cold out. The weight of the bow is nice and stable also.