Opinion on buying a bow that has been strung

[KodaChuck]

For years and years.....maybe 10+ years.....just put away years ago in a strung condition by the owner ...limbs are straight.

[LBR]

Unstring it, check it out, re-string it, draw it...just like you would any other bow.  If it's a laminated bow, it should be fine--just like if it had sat for 10 years unstrung.  Buy or borrow a scale and check the weight, but keep in mind that some bows weren't marked exactly right in the beginning.

[KodaChuck]

Thank you....makes sense.

[McDave]

It would be nice if you could shoot it.  Bows are very personal things, and you can tell a lot by shooting one.

I bought a Super K from the early 70s that had been strung for 15 years,  When unstrung an compared to a similar bow, it was not the same, it had a set.  I got the bow $20 after the owner saw that.  It also seemed to draw light.  I do not know if it ever came back to its original shape as I did not have another to compare it to after that.  What happened next, I picked up a Red Wing pro of the same stated on the riser poundage, they were not even close.  Those Slimline Wing Pros are fast, it maybe was not a fare comparison, I gave the Super K away, it is still in use.

[LostNation_Larry]

Just guessing, but the temperature and humidity where it was stored could be a factor.  If it was stored in an indoor man cave, probably fine.  If it was stored in a barn in south Florida, I would be worried.

[kevsuperg]

Around 1989 when my then father in-law​ passed I was given a 1969 bear alaskan recurve he had.
 It had been strung for an unknown amount of time , resting on it's lower tip propped up in the Corner of a closet.
 It scaled at 46#, originally a 50#'er.
 The limbs were straight and I shot that bow for 20+ yrs.
 It now belongs to my adult son and he's has had no issues.
 Just check it out carefully.

[KodaChuck]

Pulled it back a few times slowly and it was all fine but the string was tattered and not trustworthy.....so we will get a new string on and see how it goes.....seemed to deliver all of the advertised 40 lbs but will scale and finally get down the road. $60.00....had to go with it.

[Pointer]

I had a similar situation..strung for so many years the string loop actually left an indentation on the wood tip overlay. I unstrung it for a week and then put a new string on it. No worries..it was fine.