How long will a bow last

[Cyrille]

I have an old Ben Pearson "Colt" that still shoots fine except for one problem, mine, not the bow's I'm not as strong in the upper body as I once was.and can only pull the bow to 24" so I guess it's a "wall hanger" I figure this bow to be at least in it's late forties. And no it's not for sale.

[Killdeer]

We don't know yet.

Killdeer

[Cyrille]

Originally posted by Killdeer:
We don't know yet.
Don't know What?

Killdeer

[Killdeer]

We don't know how long they will last.
Fiberglas is a fairly recent invention. We have been using it on bows for only 50-60 years. Those bows are for the most part, barring abuse, still sound. So, stick around, and see when and why they fail. Is it the Fiberglas, the wood, the design, or the glue that will cause the demise of most?

OK, now skip a couple three decades forward, and we get into a generation of carbon backed and faced bows, and improved adhesives and finishes. Bowyers have been busy fine-tuning the design of limbs and risers, too, maximizing strength and durability (I hope!) as well as the performance factors.

Somebody else is going to have to come up with the answer on this one, because at fifty-three years of age, I expect that the Centaur I just had made, and my year-old Cheyenne are not going to crap out before I die. More than likely, a bunch of my Bears and Ben Pearsons are going to make it past the wire as well. That is, if I keep them out of hot attics, and don't drop them down the mountain.

I will never know, and I refuse to worry about it.
Killdeer

[Cyrille]

Well I ain't gonna lose no sleep over it either,
N thas th trut!