Do bows lose draw weight as they age?

[SactoBowman]

I have a 21st Century longbow made by Jim and Buddy back in 1994.  The specs are 66" 54# @ 29.  It seems easier to draw and anchor this bow as compare to my BW PLX 62" 49# @ 28.

[Stumpkiller]

Fiberglass laminates apparantly do not.  At least not yet.  

On the other hand, bow manufacturers seem to have differently calibrated scales (Martins, for instance, seem to be undermarked).

And, as a generality, longer bows are easier on the fingers and load up differently and so feel lighter than a short bow of the same weight.  IME.

[Jeff Strubberg]

This came up in another thread.  I've run into folks who will tell you that yes, bows do lose weight as they age.  Ask them how they know, and the answer is always someone told them so.

I have yet to find a single instance of a fiberglass bow losing measurable weight over any period.  Even early Bear laminates from the 50s don't show any weight loss.

Now, wooden bows and wood bows with a fiberglass backing definitely drop weight over time.

Black Widows start out with a lot of tension and build weight very slowly.  They absolutely feel like you are drawing a heavier bow.

[30coupe]

Originally posted by SactoBowman:
I have a 21st Century longbow made by Jim and Buddy back in 1994.  The specs are 66" 54# @ 29.  It seems easier to draw and anchor this bow as compare to my BW PLX 62" 49# @ 28.

Keep in mind you are comparing bows of different length as well. This can affect the FEEL of the draw (less finger pinch with the longer bow). Also the longbow is probably around 51 or 52 pounds at 28". So it's only 2-3 pounds heavier IF the bows are marked correctly! A bow can be +/- 2# of the marked weight pretty easily (some Howard Hill bow owners would say 4-6#).

I've not found a fiberglass laminated bow that lost any weight over time, and I've had a bunch of them over the years. My 1973 Herter's recurve (now my son's bow) is marked 50# and draws exactly that. The older Bear bows often varied some from the marked weight. They usually marked them in 5# increments. You will often see marks like 45# + or 45# -, which means they are a couple pounds over/under. Usually, if you take the strike plate off, the actual draw weight will be written underneath it. This may have led some to believe the bow has lost weight.

[Zradix]

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What he said

[JamesKerr]

I have never seen a laminated bow with fiberglass on the back and belly lose weight. I have a Grayling era Bear recurve and it is still the same as its marked weight. Self bows or all wooden bows do lose some of their weight over time.

[avery]

throw it on a scale and see what it says

[RRock]

I hope Bob Morrison checks in on this one. I think he knows the answer to the question.

[Jack Shanks]

All of mine gain weight as they age. At least that is what it feels like to me.

[Clint B.]

Lately, my bows seem to gain weight as I age.    Serouisly, I've only heard of self bows or wood laminated bows losing some weight over time. I thouht the fiberglass laminated bows stayed a constant draw weight.

[dragonheart]

Originally posted by avery:
throw it on a scale and see what it says

YES

[Night Wing]

I keep both of my laminated glass recurves always strung and they haven't lost any poundage with age.

BTW, both of my recurve bows have been fully strung for the last 24 months.