Considering a Composite

[Centex]

I shot a Sarrels Mongol Composite awhile back and can't stop thinking about how much I liked the feel of an all wood bow.  The Mongol is the only all wood I have shot but it exemplified everything I have read about a composites smoothness.  I just found the threads by Pine Hollow about the Parker Natural and I am now really interested.  Here are my questions: What is the lifespan of an all wood?  Can they handle more than two 3d seasons?  I know they like dry climates but what about temperature? Dry heat? Dry cold?  Are strap on quivers out of the question?  Who hunts with a composite?

If you shoot a composite, post a picture and recommend a bowyer or kit.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

ok... i'm a little confused here....

you say "I shot a Sarrels Mongol Composite awhile back and can't stop thinking about how much I liked the feel of an all wood bow."

What is it that you like? All wood?... or a composite?

all wood bows can be shot for many many years, but they require more care and attention than a composite bow will. you gotta unstring them after use or deal with string follow issues.

There are differences in "All wood bows" Depending on whether you are talking about a laminated board bow that has backing of some kind, or a self bow made from a stave...

The type of wood used, the design, and the moisture content changes are all factors you have to deal with on all wood bows.

Kirkll, he is using a local definition of the words. Around these parts, selfbow guys got to arguing with guys shooting all wood laminated bows as to whether they could be shot in the selfbow class or not. Most clubs around here had a definition for selfbows as "all wood" and did not address how many pieces of wood or wether there could be laminated pieces or backed bows.

So the clubs tried to fix this issue by creating two separate classes:

Selfbow: a bow made of a single piece of wood and can only be backed with sinew, linen, or snakeskin

Composite: an all wood bow that can be laminated (pieces glued together). A bow with a bamboo backing fits in this category.

That Mongol was a great shooting bow. Mine gave up the ghost at the Oklahoma State Longbow Championship in July. I sure liked that bow and would like to get another one of these days.

[Gdpolk]

I shoot a Sarrels Sierra that I've had for about 3-4 years now.  I live in AR with year round high humidity, high heat in summer, milder winters.  I shoot it year round.  I unstring it after each session unless I'm going to shoot the following day.  To date it is still holding up just fine.  I've been looking for a better shooting bow since I've bought this one and to date I've only found ONE other bow that shoots as smooth.  It wasn't any better shooting than my Sierra so I kept the Sierra.

I don't know what you mean by all wood or composite.  For what it's worth, my Sierra is upgraded cocobolo riser, 3 laminations of bamboo on the limbs, has the double arrow wood-burning artwork on limbs, and is covered with clear glass on both sides.  Strap on quivers are fine for these bows.  I just ordered a custom Kanati Dual Arc for mine.

Here's some pictures from today's roving trip... great time with a great bow.  That stump was stuck from about 25 yards out and was my first shot of the day.  I missed the dark spot I was going for only by about 3/4"

Stumping...
 

A little guy I found next to a flu-flu that missed a flying dragonfly...
 

Beautiful Arkansas hardwoods...
 
 
 

[Centex]

Originally posted by Bisch:
Kirkll, he is using a local definition of the words. Around these parts, selfbow guys got to arguing with guys shooting all wood laminated bows as to whether they could be shot in the selfbow class or not. Most clubs around here had a definition for selfbows as "all wood" and did not address how many pieces of wood or wether there could be laminated pieces or backed bows.

So the clubs tried to fix this issue by creating two separate classes:

Selfbow: a bow made of a single piece of wood and can only be backed with sinew, linen, or snakeskin

Composite: an all wood bow that can be laminated (pieces glued together). A bow with a bamboo backing fits in this category.

That Mongol was a great shooting bow. Mine gave up the ghost at the Oklahoma State Longbow Championship in July. I sure liked that bow and would like to get another one of these days.

Bisch's thanks for the clarification, I did not realize this was another case of Texans inventing another word/term.  

Out of ignorance I am calling these bows composite or "all wood".  What I mean is a laminated bow with no glass.  How would other define this type of bow?

Bisch's how long did you shoot your Mongol?

[wingnut]

Quote from TBB4 chapter on laminated bows:

"For the sake of simplicity and to focus this chapter, we will define the laminated bow as constructed from three or more layers of basically similar materials, in contrast to a composite, one that is made from dissimilar components.  Bamboo is “similar” enough that bamboo used with wood is a laminated bow. A sinew-backed, wood core, horn faced bow is a composite bow. "

Mike

[LongStick64]

To answer your question, I just picked up a Shultz bamboo backed yew bow, probably made in the 90's, it looks as new as yesterday. So if you take care of them, they will last as long as you like. I also have a Parker Natural. The difference between the Parker and Shultz is great. The Parker is a great bow non the less but it's not as refined as the Shultz.

[Sam Harper]

All natural bows are just a little less predictable than fiberglass bows, but they can last for years.  Somebody sent me a message a month or so ago and told me a bamboo backed bow I had made them eight years ago is still in great shape.  I don't know how often he shoots it, though.  I had a bamboo backed hickory bow a few months ago with a beautiful tiller on it, and nice dark ipe, and after stringing it up for the first time after putting a finish on it, it blew up.  So you just never can tell.  But I think the most reliable kind of natural bow would be a bamboo or hickory backed Osage bow.  Osage just seems to last longer and is less likely to fail in compression than other materials, even if badly tillered.  And you can't beat bamboo or hickory for a backing.

[PEARL DRUMS]

A well built all wood bow will last a lifetime if built properly from proper materials and treated properly. They aren't delicate by any means, even though we hear that often. Humidity and temp has very little bearing on performance unless you use hickory or sinew backing. Both will absorb RH quickly. Osage is unaffected by much of anything. Id suggest not leaving them braced for more than 4-6 hours. Never lean one up in a corner on a limb tip. Always lay them flat or hanging on pegs. Other than that, shoot the tar outta them and enjoy every shot. Your right, wood bows are a pleasure each and every shot.

BTW, if you decide to get a bow from James you wont be upset. He is an A-1 bowyer and builds some of the nicest boo bows on the scene.

[KenH]

I agree with the definitions.  IMHO a self bow is a single stick of wood. It can be backed for safety/beauty - linen, snakeskin, etc.

Then there are wood-wood composites (a wood bow backed for strength by another wood is in this category), wood-sinew and wood-horn-sinew (the classic Asian bows) composites.

Modern bows are wood-fiberglass composites.