Foam Core Limbs

[KillerDyller]

Got a question for you guys. Looking at ordering a zipper recurve in the next few months. I am just curious as to the advantages of foam core limbs. I have heard that they make for a smooth, lighter draw. Is it smoother than bamboo? Anybody have experience w/ both? Any disadvantages? I appreciate the input fellers.  

[mooseman76]

The thing I keep hearing that makes me want to try them is that they are supposedly dead silent...Mike

[hogdancer]

I have a set of recurve limbs, I like them a lot but NOT dead silent, quiet yes. and to me they make for a smooth draw but it feels heavier.

[rastaman]

just a different kind of thump IMO...

[hogdancer]

yea, a differant kind of thump, I'll go with that.

[vermonster13]

The biggest advantages are their being unaffected by temperature changes, consistency in make, and stability.

Their long term endurance at hunting weights is still being learned.

[amar911]

I have both wood (or boo) cores and foam cores in comparable bows of the same make as well as having them with both kinds of cores in multiple makes of bows. The foam cores seem to be smoother, quieter and just as fast if not a little faster than wood or boo cores. Foam cores are not a quantum leap in any way, but they seem to be better in some respects. Not everyone agrees. Hoyt has been using foam core in limbs for decades, so their endurance is not a big question in some respects, but David is correct that use of the foam has not been widespread, so the data is limited. If you are not worried about the endurance or durability of fiberglass, then you probably have no good reason to worry about the foam. They are very similar and no one I know of is concerned when fiberglass is used in a bow, because most of our bows use it.

Allan

[KillerDyller]

Thanks for the info guys, the way it looks I could'nt go wrong no matter which I pick. Now I just have to make up my mind on the REALLY hard decision, riser wood combos!  :confused:

[d. ward]

Does anyone know what type matiral the foam is ? or I guess what type foam the foam is ? thanks bd

[vermonster13]

Depends on who's foam it is BD. Different grades/types of foam used in different limbs.

[Rocky Reimer]

On one of my Morrison B risers I have a set of Bamboo core limbs and recently got a set of the foam core limbs from Bob Morrison....I thought the Bamboo limbs were quiet but the foam limbs are quieter and the foam limbs sure shoot and feel good to me....I am very satisfied with the foam limbs...actually it is my "go to bow" now and am thinking (because the foam limbs shoot so well for me)about trading my 2008 Tulipwood Black Widow recurve....if I can find the right trade!!!!!

[d. ward]

Thanks Dave I was just wondering what it was....Thanks again bd

[FerretWYO]

I have a new prong horn on the way with the foam limbs I gues i will see how it is in a few weeks.

[Bill Turner]

Contact Jim Belcher of Belcher Bows. He is offering form core limbs and can answer all of your questions. Had an ad in the most recent edition of TBM. Jim is a good guy who makes an outstanding bow.  

[snag]

I was told the foam would provide about 5-6fps faster performance. I found they were very smooth when drawing and after release.

[d. ward]

Would it bend smoother then any type wood and be more consistent ??? thanks bd

[leatherneck]

My Morrison foam cores are dead silent. I dont need any silencers on my Shawnee and it's quieter then my Cheyenne was. Thats the biggest advantage I see. Durability doesn't appear to be an issue for the Olympic shooters have been using foam core for a long time,so I've been told.

Mike

[mooseman76]

What is a typical draw weight for an olympic shooter's bow?  I know the foam cores have been around for some time in that venue.  What I think needs to be addressed is how well do they hold up in bows in the 50+# range.  I'm not knocking them, in fact, I have great interest in them if they prove to be as durable as good ole wood cores...Mike

[Bill Carlsen]

I've had foam core limbs on my DAS and my wife's for about 4 years now. Mine is 60# and rarely do I unstring it and it shoots as good today as it did the day I got it. The limbs are smooth, very stable and was told by a life long member of PBS who has been in the sport as long as me (50+ years) that my bow was the quietest recurve he had ever seen. As with any bow, attention to detail when tuning, tillering and nocking point location can make a bow very quiet. As to longevity, so far so good for me. I had an original Bighorn that broke five sets of limbs....the only bow I  have ever had fail on me. I don't think that longevity and durability are an issue with well made foam limbs. ILF archers have been shooting them with super light weight arrows for many, many years. If they were any questions about them I am sure they would be off the market by now. As far as I am concerned they make the best hunting limbs available.

[Gil]

Foam cores have been around since the early 90's in the Hoyt Carbon plus syntactic foam limbs for olympic style recurves. Male shooters shoot anywhere from 38-50# but most are 42-46#.bt6w, ceramic has been used by Yamaha in their limds also during that time.