Fast Flight compatibility

[John J]

Is it possible to make a recurve from about 1960 Fast Flight compatible? Maybe by reinforcing the limb tips with phenolic or Micarta? Would padded string loops help?

Thanks,

John

[Igor]

John

You'll have to make your own decision but I will share what I'm doing with my vintage bows.

I do make my own strings some are 8 strand that I pad to 18 strands at the loops (flemish). I have experimented with 14 and 16 also padded to 18 which I'll probably continue to use on any bow over 50lbs draw weight. Several of my recurves have noreinforcement on the tips.

My bows are quieter and perform much better (going up at least one spine) no string slap - less or no hand shock....just all around better experience IMHO  - your mileage may vary  :^).

><>>
Glenn

[LBR]

Depends on who you ask--some folks have gotten great results, some think it's a recipie for disaster.

I'd ask myself if I was willing to take a chance with this bow.  'Course just shooting a vintage bow is risky--they are more liable to fail--but putting a FF type string on them might add to the risk.

I have a few non-FF bows, but I won't risk putting a FF string on them.  I just shoot bows that are rated for FF, and get the others out on special occasions.

That being said, the only time I've ever seen a bow damaged by the string was due to the string being made improperly (too thin, not round, and unpadded loops) and the string grooves on the bow being cut at the wrong angle.

So...the answer is a definite "maybe"...  If you try it, I'd re-cut the string grooves at the proper angle and pad out the string loops.

[SaltyDawg]

Originally posted by LBR:
Depends on who you ask--some folks have gotten great results, some think it's a recipie for disaster.

I'd ask myself if I was willing to take a chance with this bow.  'Course just shooting a vintage bow is risky--they are more liable to fail--but putting a FF type string on them might add to the risk.

I have a few non-FF bows, but I won't risk putting a FF string on them.  I just shoot bows that are rated for FF, and get the others out on special occasions.

That being said, the only time I've ever seen a bow damaged by the string was due to the string being made improperly (too thin, not round, and unpadded loops) and the string grooves on the bow being cut at the wrong angle.

So...the answer is a definite "maybe"...  If you try it, I'd re-cut the string grooves at the proper angle and pad out the string loops.

^^^^^^ This

Rick

[donnyjack]

I've seen a recurve(Brackenbarry) that was not ff rated have it's tip ripped off when usinf ff on it, but I shoot a Bushmaster longbow with padded TS+ that is not rated for it and have not had an issue with it. But a longbow has a deep core linb and a recurve does not.  I have a very special old Bighorn that I would not use ff on as I don't want to take any chances with it.
It's you call based on if your willing to take a chance or how special the bow is to you.
Good Luck.    

DJ


DJ  

[atatarpm]

According to a bowyer that I know named Bill Foreman from Great Plains bows when I talk to him about the same thing on a1968 Bear bow he said that the glues of that time were not as good as the glues today and that I stood a good chance of blowing the bow up so I took the ff off and have not put it back on.

[threeunder]

I don't take the chance.