Question For the Experienced Bowyers?

[Wannabe1]

I want an English style longbow (to shoot off the knuckle) that will last basically forever. Can you back one of these with glass to make its longevity better than just a hickory/bamboo etc. backing? Thanks in advance.  

[DVSHUNTER]

just use all osage unbacked and it will outlast you. Very dependable bows they are. I've heard of people backing with glass but never with good results.  Hickory would also be a good choice, but for the elb, I like osage or yew.

[Wannabe1]

The problem that I see with this is that over time, they get back set and start to losing poundage. Correct me if I'm wrong on this.

[DVSHUNTER]

I haven't experienced it yet, I'm nit saying it won't happen, but nothing too bad. Maybe a pound or two over ten years. It would still be your best bet imo

[John Scifres]

Nothing lasts forever     But, I have several all wood or natural materials bows that are stable in the amount of set and weight over ten years old and thousands of shots.

You could also just get a glass english longbow.

[Wannabe1]

I like what I'm hearing so far. I'm not opposed to an all natural bow, just thought they loose to much after long shooting periods. Doesn't sound like it though.

John: who makes a glass english bow? I've not seen one yet.

[Keenan]

If an all wood bow is made right, shot with the right arrows and taken care of properly it will out last you.
 Most ELB's have good length to draw ratios an will hold up fine if out of yew.
 I love flat bows for yew over the ELB style,  but I have short arms.

[Hardwoodman]

If such a bow starts taking set, wouldn´t that be because of compression failure in the belly ? If so, a glass backing shouldn´t ghange much. I have an ELB of hickory and it has no set. It is 77" long and 75 pounds for a 32" draw. The belly is heat treated.