Can this be fixed?

[J. Cook]

1 year ago I set up a very special bow for my father. This bow was my uncle's, who was killed in a farming accident 35 years. He was my Dad's best friend. I took the bow, set up arrows, and got it tuned and shooting really great and presented him with it. He's been shooting it and loving getting back into trad. the bow is a 62" Herter's Perfection Sambar, 45# @ 28".

This weekend when we were shooting I noticed something bad. I saw this on the working part of the bottom limb. Take a look at the pics and let me know a few things.
First, can this be fixed.
If so, how and give me a ball park of expected cost.
I'd love to get this bow safe and ready to shoot for him, but also won't spend too much as we could hang it for display only if not repairable.

You can feel the cracks with your finger nail when the bow is strung, you cannot when it isn't. These are new - as in the last few months. The 2nd pic shows the location on the limbs, at the pen point.



*I posted on the bowyer's bench forum as well.

[Charlie Lamb]

On old bows the finish becomes brittle and will crack. Especially in the area of the riser fade outs.
I think that's what is going on and is not a problem for the bow.

[J. Cook]

I hope you are right Charlie - that would be a great outcome.

[J. Cook]

Anyone else?

[Bob Morrison]

What Charlie said. looks like cracked finish. Try to scrape a little off, it should come off fairly easy. Don't think it is in the glass...

[JDBerry]

From just a pic. I don't think its just the finish, a crack in the finish will run straight across, not crooked like that.

2nd if it was finish you would be able to feel it all the time, not when just strung.  ..OE

[Ted Fry]

Give us a side view as well, I am with JD , that looks to be in the glass not the finish.

[J. Cook]

If it is indeed the glass - is it something that can be fixed?

[JDBerry]

Every bow has only so many shots in them. I m sure there are guys that would say, super glue. If you try reglassing, I don't think you will match the glass color, let alone whats going on with the Lam. under the glass(one reason why Ted ask for a side photo)

 Charlie is a VERY,VERY good Bowyer,I hope he is right, and what he said about old bows and finishs is all to true.  ..OE

[J. Cook]

I won't be back to WV (where the bow is) for another 10 days or so.  I'll try and get side pics then and post again.  Thanks guys!

[Ceb]

Very difficult to tell from the pic, but from my experience I'm with Charlie, in the finish. Most failures in this area of a limb are separations of the laminations. If the glue lines look good I too would try removing a bit of the finish to be sure.

[Charlie Lamb]

Thanks OE! Of course only so much can be told from pictures.

[JDBerry]

Charlie, isn't that the truth. Hows the knees?  ..OE

[Charlie Lamb]

The knees are fantastic buddy. Now my back is slowing me down. Gettin old ain't for sissys! You doing any hunting?

[JDBerry]

Charlie, think I rode that train as far as it would go,...for now lol

 How did that stuff I sent, work out?  ..OE

[Ted Fry]

I hate to be a wet blanket , hope its nothing but its been my experience with cracks like that on the back at the end of the fades its only a matter of time , whole different deal on the belly side ( compression).
If there are wrinkles in the core (side view) then I wouldnt pull it back many more times.
That area is where most of the work is done and to have a weak spot on the back is not good.
Like the others said "only so much you can tell from a pic" , but a side view will sure help.
Hope Charlie is right and its nothing.

[Charlie Lamb]

Sorry to say I haven't worked it up yet. My lam grinder has been down and I'm a bit slow getting it up and running again.
Probably be after deer season.

[Jakeemt]

Why not send it to Bow Doc. Bet he could fix it.