New Sky ILF longbow limb review

[tradlongbow]

About two months ago, I started looking for ILF longbow limbs. After talking to several bowyers and reading lots of reviews. I decided to order a set of carbon/foam longbow limbs from Jim Belcher at Sky Archery.  Some of the deciding factors why I chose Jim to build my longbow limbs were his reputation as a bowyer, experience, and craftsmanship. Also, I was very impressed when I learned that Jim also builds bows for other companies, and their customers are also very satisfied.

The first thing I noticed after I received the package from FedEx, was how the limbs were professionally boxed and packaged. Both limbs were wrapped separately to avoid any damage.  After un-wrapping the limbs, I attached them to my Pinnacle riser and strung them up.  The finish was an incredibly smooth flat black with the Sky logo. Then, it was off to the back yard to try them out. The limbs were extremely smooth when I pulled through my anchor point. Second, the limbs shot the arrow very quick, and with very little adjustment to the brace height while paper tuning, the arrows were passing through the paper leaving bullet size holes.  Within seconds, I was shooting tight groups and hitting bullseyes with my new Sky carbon/ foam longbow limbs.

In the future, I will buy foam core again, and I will buy products from Jim and Sandra at Sky Archery.

Darren
 

 

 

 

 

[ronp]

Good review.  Thanks.  I did what you are doing in that last pic.  It's a good thing (for me) that my arrow hit a several inches to the right of my living room window that night...it wasn't a complete pass through thru wood.

[stujay]

:cool:  Thanks for the review.

[JohnnyWayne]

Nice one Darren - now put that baby to some good use this weekend at the shoot  

[GMASIUK]

I'm pretty sure that Jim builds the DAS Dala foam core recurve limbs for Three Rivers Archery. I have a set and the tips look identical to your pictures.

I just have to say I love my Das bow and limbs. They are wicked smooth drawing and wicked fast. If it is in fact Jim that builds these limbs,  my hats off to you sir.

[BWD]

Me like.  

[tradlongbow]

Originally posted by GMASIUK:
I'm pretty sure that Jim builds the DAS Dala foam core recurve limbs for Three Rivers Archery. I have a set and the tips look identical to your pictures.

I just have to say I love my Das bow and limbs. They are wicked smooth drawing and wicked fast. If it is in fact Jim that builds these limbs,  my hats off to you sir.

GMASIUK-

You're right, Jim at Sky Archery does builds the DAS limbs and risers. Another contributing factor why I chose Sky limbs was from the positive reviews about DAS's performance.

Darren

[FXJr]

Darren,
 Are they the single or the double carbon?
  Frank X.

[tradlongbow]

Originally posted by FXJr:
Darren,
 Are they the single or the double carbon?
  Frank X.

Frank-

I went with the single carbon. I've always had one layer of carbon in my modern longbows. From what I've read and been told over the years one layer of carbon on the back of the limb adds speed, and anything more will just add more stability to the limb. The limbs that I've had with one strip of carbon has been quick enough and they were stable.

I'm going to try to run then through a chronograph next week and I'll post my results. I will be happy if there anywhere above 190FPS. My friend that seen me shoot them was wowed, he said they're fast.

In my opinion they're one of the smoothest limbs I've drawn with carbon. Normally I've found carbon to feel stiffer when layered over bamboo are wood. These limbs are carbon/foam which are really smooth to draw.

Darren

[FXJr]

Darren,
Thanks for the info.I will be looking  forward to the chrono. tests.
  Frank X.

[BobCo 1965]

Very nice. I also have a pair of Sky Limbs on order from Jim. Double Carbon, Bamboo Core, Recurve Limbs. Can hardly wait.

[tradlongbow]

Bobco-

Are you getting longbow or recurve limbs? Jim, Sandra, and Megan are top notch, you won't be disappointed.

[BobCo 1965]

Darren, they will actually be recurve limbs that Jim is making cutom to fit a Hoyt Formula Riser (non-ILF). The Formula Risers were made to be a bit lighter and they were able to reduce weight in the limb pockets, unfortunately, they are not able to offer international limb fittings and Hoyt only offers (or I should say offered) limbs to fit this riser. Unfortunately, I do not care for Hoyt limbs.

But......Jim being who is is and using Earl Hoyt Jr. limb designs figured things out and is delivering me exactly what I need.
     :D    

Love the looks of your limbs! Enjoy. And you sure seem right about Jim and Sandra!