Black Glass

[jhg]

If a bows power comes from the compression side (belly) how does putting clear glass there and black on the back give you any performance gains over any other clear glass bow?


Joshua

[Bill Carlsen]

Here are two black bows that I think are gorgeous. The first is a phenolic risered Groves Mag III that I recently traded. The second is my DAS with new HEX 5 Border limbs.

 

 

[Aeronut]

Here is my only, and hopefully last, clear glass trouble.  I shot this bow for one year, took it hunting one time, and killed one deer with it.  Made me sick when the belly glass split on both limbs.



I just finished a hybrid longbow with black glass and am planning on putting snakeskins on it.  I do like the look of it as it is now though.



I agree with Dick in Seattle.  I am a woodworker first and love the look of woodgrain under clear glass.

Dennis

[smoke1953]

I think the black glass definitely makes the handle wood pop but every scratch shows up clearly so refinishing may be in order on a more regular basis.

[Bill Carlsen]

Black is beautiful. Some of the most striking bows in the 50's and 60's were the phenolic Wings and the Black Futurewood Bear Kodiaks.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

I've been waiting to post this....

I'm getting kind of partial to black on the back and white on the belly right now..Jack Howard Jet -

Ryan

[AZ_Shooter]

That is a great looking bow!  I really like the contrast between the back and the belly.

[Bonecracker]

I just got off the phone with Bob Morrison as he is building me some heavier Long limbs for my DAS Master Hunter. He talked me out of carbon and into black glass limbs with foam! Very close in speed and much cheaper! Cannot wait to shoot them!

[Pete W]

Clear glass over fine veneers is certainly lovely to look at, as long as the clear is clear. All to often that clear is streaked and cloudy, which shows up quite well on dark veneers. This has to be a nightmare for the bowyer . Some send these bows out anyway and hope the customer will accept it, others skin the limbs or camo dip them and others sell them at a discount or cut them up.
 Black looks just fine and has no surprises at the peeling of the tape.
I have both black and clear glass bows that look great. Black glass is a safer bet when it comes to looks. You know what it will look like.
I have been told by bowyers that they get better performance with black glass, and other bowyers say they don't see any diference.

Today with the popularity of blinds Black Glass makes a good safe choice and can look classy with the right riser woods, but "good" clear glass and fine looking veneer is always pretty and nice to have.
I like both.

Pete