Carbon backing durability

[Matabele]

Hi all,

Im looking at ordering a new longbow, I was thinking about trying out a carbon backed bow for a bit of extra performance. However one bowyer I've been talking to mentioned carbon backing laminations are easily damaged, much more so than fibreglass which will eventually lead to a delamination.

Just wondering if anyone has some first hand experience to share with regards to carbon backed bows and durability?

[katman]

I have also been told by a trusted bowyer and read about carbon back being more easily damaged. I have had 2 carbon backed high performance recurve limbs break but never a glass backed bow. I guess it may depend on the design of the limbs and how tough one is on equipment. Give me black glass and a couple less fps over carbon for hunting.

[Orion]

I dunno.  Carbon is tougher than glass, IMO, but because it's so much stronger, bowyers also use a lot less of it, i.e., the carbon laminations are much thinner than glass laminations of the same strength.  In that respect, I suspect they could be easier to damage.

I have both.  I try to not bang up my bows.  Haven't found carbon to be any more susceptible to damage than glass. It's tougher to scratch than glass.

[Mitch Edwards]

I think I've seen where some bowyers will do a wood lam over the carbon. Might help protect it. I don't personally care for the look of carbon on a trad bow but I like the idea of it so I would definitely want a wood lam over it. Just my thoughts

[njloco]

I don't know if your referring to carbon foam limbs or not, if you are I would agree. If your referring to just putting one or two layers of carbon in a wood fiberglass bow, then I say they are pretty much every bit as rugged as a glass layered bow.

I have a two piece long bow, one side is glass over wood, the other is carbon over wood, made in the 90's, seems to have held up just fine.

[Matabele]

Hmmm thanks for the replies guys, I was tempted to give carbon a try but a few extra fps aint worth a busted bow. Besides wood lams are a lot prettier!

[South MS Bowhunter]

I have 2 Centaurs that are Carbon backed and I've had no issues. I questioned Jim prior to getting them since I hunt in a lot of thick stuff. And he assured me it would be no problem and he was right!

Mine also have snake skins for looks but could be considered extra protection. Been using them for 6 or 7 years now with no complaints.

[smokin joe]

Well I have had a bamboo and glass limb break. I sent the broken limb to the bowyer so he could look it over. When we talked on the phone he said "sometimes they just break and we don't know why" -- he then made me a new set of limbs that are still going strong.

As to carbon backing, I agree with South MS Bowhunter. I now have a Centaur with carbon backing and it's pretty sweet. I doubt that it will ever come apart.