Black Glass.....is it true???

[dsturgissr]

A lot of years ago was talking to Paul Schafer about this very thing as I was ordering a new bow. Acording to Paul, you can expect a bit more performance out of a black glass limbed bow.      Denny Sr

[ron w]

Since I'm having a set of limbs built ask we speak at the Schafer shop, [with black glass], I guess that's good news....lol! I'm not really a speed is better kind'a guy but it's still neat to hear all the opinions on the topic!

[jhg]

I chose black glass because for my tastes

 1)many veneers under clear glass are way too fancy, even garish. I never liked super fancy guns either. I do like some veneers, like stained/streaked bamboo.

2)I also bleieve that superior performance is made up by small degrees. These "it won't make a big difference" tweeks added together make a noticble difference. As mentioned, Jack Howard's bows are good examples of this.

Joshua

[Lee Robinson .]

My opinions on black glass are based upon my research and experiences. I believe there is a difference in glass. Gordon, the manufacturer of the glass, also states there is a difference.

I make bows with both clear glass or black glass with the same cores...with the only "design difference" being the carbon was next to the black glass on the black glass backed bow, and seperated by a thin lamination on a clear glass bow. Otherwise identical.

That said, I don't think the difference is worth getting excited over...but I do believe it is there.

For this reason, if someone wanted the ULTIMATE bow and cared nothing about cosmetic...I would recommend black S-Glass (ULZ) over carbon then the core, then belly glass. I don't like black glass on the belly myself...so I use clear on the belly in our bows...but if one wanted "ultimate" bow...black glass IMO is the best.

[Glunt]

If you like black, and want a few extra fps, I would probably opt for carbon on the back.  I like the look and natural camo of grainy limbs.

[Grizzbear]

The color may add some density but not noticable

[sledge]

i have done extensive, and if i may say so, absolutely DEFINITIVE testing on this subject.

the 3 fastest glass colors are, in order:

1. pink

2. lavender

3. mauve

i have no idea why they aren't more popular.

joe

[Lee Robinson .]

I don't think it is a pigment factor. In other words, I don't think their is any difference between clear ULS and black ULS.

Gordon states the difference is between ULS (E-glass) and ULZ (S-glass). When buying black glass, I never order ULS. I order black only in ULZ. Clear isn't available in ULZ, but "natural" is. Natural however isn't clear...but cloudy. Who wants that? No one...so for me it is either ULS clear E-glass or ULZ black S-glass.

When comparing those two, ULZ is superior. Even though it is stronger and more durable technically, I don't think the difference is worth getting excited over...probably only 1-2 fps difference in efficiency. Both are very durable; however, if one wants the "best performer," ULZ (S-glass) wins.

[Lee Robinson .]