What Is The Typical Life of a Glass Recurve

[Erwincm]

Hi guys. Can anyone tell me what the expected life of an unstrung & unused glass recurve should be if kept in a closet or in another air conditioned, humidity controlled, UV restricted space? Are we talking years or decades?

Thanks,
Charles
Madison, AL

[LittleBen]

decades, scores, or centuries .... my main glass bow is a 1968? York thunderbolt ... by no means a fancy bow ... my backup is a 1970? thunderbolt .... they are in nearly immaculate shape with only the most slight longitudinal cracking in the glass. Tip overlays got a little dry and brittle, but I replaced them with some phenolic and I'm sure they're good for another 40years.

[Erwincm]

We're you bows routinely shot over the years? In other words, must a bow be exercised to maintain it's usability? Is it a "use it or lose it" kinda situation?

[bornofmud]

So long as it was stored correctly, not using it would keep it in better shape.  Definitely not a use it or lose it type situation.  Now if it wasn't stored correctly, very different situation haha.

[Erwincm]

That's encouraging! Thanks guys...