How old is TOO old for a Recurve?

[LeeBishop]

I'm new to trad shooting and I'm using a vintage Pearson KM Special from the 1960s.  I can't afford a new bow and I won't be able to for some time I believe.

So I am wondering, how old is too old for a recurve to use on a regular basis?  

I had a dream the other night that I was using a vintage bow and it fell apart on me. I like my old vintage bow, but it does need a few repairs. It has some nicks in the glass along the edge and a few scratches. I think I can just resurface it and then seal it with some poly.

I just would like to be able to use it for a few years, or many.

[David Dumke]

Check out the bowyers bench forum and re ask. They will have the insight to answer this better. I'm sure some lurk around PowWow and some here might even be able to but an in depth answer would be best given from the craftsmen.

Hope you get some feedback  

[Pope Co.]

Lee,
My wife and I have several vintage Bear Bows that are from the sixties era. We use everyone of them from time to time, depending on our mood. Although I cannot speak for Pearson Bows if it looks flawless or close to it, use it. I would ensure it has a new string. You wouldn't want that to break and create a dry fire situation.

[donnyjack]

Lee I'm shooting a 1967 Shakespear three to four tines a week for the last year or so with no issues and I have friends who are shooting bows built in the 50's. Any bow can fail due to a number reasons such as being left in hot places.  But just because its old does not mean it is unsafe to use or that it will fail on you.
There are a lot of old bow out there being enjoyed ever day.

[Night Wing]

Just shoot the bow. If it breaks, it breaks. If it doesn't break, enjoy every moment afield with it.

I know one guy who bought my old 1973 one piece 60", 40# @28" Bear Super Kodiak and he uses it to bowhunt with. He'll be bowhunting with it this Saturday morning which is the opening bowhunting season for us here in Texas.

BTW, I've been trying to buy my old Bear recurve from him since 1980.

[woodchucker]

ALL laminated bows can "delaminate" at any time, under the right (or maybe wrong) conditions... Even brand new ones!!! I've seen it happen...

One in particular, was a Robinson "Stik-Bow" longbow. At a weekend 3-D event in NewHampsire years ago, a fellow left the bow strung on a picnic table in the shade under the pavillion,while we all were eating dinner. As the hot evening sun started to set,the lower limb became in contact with the sun... It created an "unbalance" in the limbs,and when he drew the bow,it collapsed.

Tha being said, there are ALOT of 1960's and even 1950's bows still in use every day!!!!! Take some simple precautions,and you should be fine!!!      

BTW, Ever wonder why these old recurves all look so "beat-up??? They were TOOLS!!!!! Not like todays compounds that are basicly a working piece of machinery... Whatch some old Fred Bear vidios... You will notice Fred using his bow as a "Walking stick" a "Wading staff" and even actualy THROWING them on occasion!!!!! Now you may argue that Fred Bear OWNED the company... and had an "unlimited" supply of bows at his disposal... True, but what many do not know, is that Fred did extensive shelf work to each of his bows,to customize them to his style of shooting!!!!! (He would file down the shelf untill the arrow rested just above his knuckle) It made it "his" bow, and he used "it" untill he needed a new one.

You should be just fine!!! They were meant, to be bent!!!!! ENJOY!!!    

[SlowBowke]

Hunting with two Bears from 1952 and one from 1966 this year.

The "newest" bow I've hunted with for some time was a 1968.

If not blown up already, odds are they will whack em and stack em just like they did when new.

If not.....I cant tell? lol

God Bless
Steve

[WhiteOaks]

I still shoot a bear 58 sowbelly often.
She's still good as any new bow.

[LeeBishop]

Thanks. Makes me feel a little bit better. I have like a 1961 Ben Pearson Palomino on the way. It should be here Monday. Those things are gorgeous, but I know I won't be using it to hunt with. I think I will only use it target shooting and for my documentary film.

My dad got it for me as an early Christmas present. I got it for the very low low price of $125.50 online because the person didn't spell the name correctly and I think most people overlooked it.  I have never seen a Palomino in this good of condition selling for near that cheap.

I'd like to build myself a copy of the Palomino and use a darker glass on it to use hunting.

[Swamp Yankee]

I shoot a couple of early 1960's bows, so the anwswer is I don't think anyone knows yet.

[SELFBOW19953]

Lee,

I have several 56-59 vintage Pearsons that I shoot often.  Some are the old Pearson style takedowns.  As long as there is no slop when I put the 2 halves together, it gets shot. I also have several 52-53 vintage Grizzlies that I've shot a fair amount.  Don't shoot the aluminum laminated Bears from 50-51 time frame, they are famous for delaminating.

[Looper]

With any bow, it's a good idea to pay close attention to it. Keep an ear out for any unusual "tink" sounds or any creaks. Give it a good visual inspection regularly and pay special attention to any blemishes. They shouldn't change. Rub your hands over it and feel for any splinters or slight checks.

I'd also make sure I shot a heavy arrow out of it. You want it to shoot as quiet as possible. That's a sign the bow is working efficiently, and that the limbs are still working correctly.

Keep it out of the sun, and I think I'd leave it strung, unless you are going to not shoot for a while. You're more likely to damage it by stringing and unstringing it.

When the hunting season ends, you might consider sending it to Whip at the Bow Hospital and have him refinish it for you.

[LeeBishop]

Originally posted by looper:


When the hunting season ends, you might consider sending it to Whip at the Bow Hospital and have him refinish it for you.

There is a bow hospital? lol  

There are two worry spots on my KM special. one of them tries bowing up (about 1/4'' long) a little from the lower arm on the belly side.  I didn't notice it until after I bought a new string for it and strung the bow. For right or wrong, I dabbed a little liquid superglue around it to soak in while strung, then I unstrung the bow and compressed it with a spring clamp. It has stayed in place since, but it's not pretty and it's discolored.

[cody94]

im shooting a 1969 shakspeare cacscade and a 1962 ben pearson colt i got for $10 at an antique store across from a fish market.your never too old to shoot a recurve.