black glass different properties?

[Flying Dutchman]

I can vaguely remember black glass having different property's then transparent glass. Does it make a stronger or faster limb? Tried to look it up but couldn't find it.
If my memory serves me well it was Kirk who explained it.

[David Mitchell]

I doubt there is much difference any more but I remember that years ago the concept was widely accepted that black or other colored glass lams were stronger than clear. I still really like colored glass and it seems much more in keeping with the bows of the past.

[ron w]

Many think that black glass out performs clear glass. I have no proof but tend to agree, at least with some of the bows I have owned. I'm sure limb/bow design has much more to do with it.

[Mike Mecredy]

There's no performance increase/decrease that coincides with the color of fiberglass.  One thing that can come into play is when clear fiberglass is used, and the veneer wood is something that just looks nice, but has poor performance properties.  It that case the pretty wood just adds mass to the limbs, that can possibly slow it down, but that's the wood used that make the difference, not the glass.  If you make 2 identical bows, and in both use the same limb laminations, but one has black or brown, and one has clear, they will both perform the same.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks for the input so far. I also can remember the black paint in the glass would make the glass tougher, less vulnerable for streaks or stress lines and or cracks?

[mike g]

When it comes to Harleys Black is always faster, Must be the same with Bows....

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by Mike Mecredy:
There's no performance increase/decrease that coincides with the color of fiberglass.  One thing that can come into play is when clear fiberglass is used, and the veneer wood is something that just looks nice, but has poor performance properties.  It that case the pretty wood just adds mass to the limbs, that can possibly slow it down, but that's the wood used that make the difference, not the glass.  If you make 2 identical bows, and in both use the same limb laminations, but one has black or brown, and one has clear, they will both perform the same.

Not to steal the thread, but what would you say are the fastest woods for bows?  I have heard/read that bamboo is a great wood for bow building.  But i'm no bowyer..

[Mike Mecredy]

Daniel, I don't want this thread to get off topic, out of respect for the author, so I sent you a PM.