One more thing about how and how to not use carbon.
Not that long ago I did build a 56" classical longbow design (with rather little reflex) bow of 50#. Now, this type of bow starts to stack already around 27", or if you prefer is getting pretty harsh to draw from there. In this case it is obviously true that a carbon backed bow is (even) harsher to draw. And this is indeed the type of bow that I would not build using carbon (again) - here I'd either make an exception (not using carbon at all) or make it 2 inches longer and/or keeping it under 45#.
How I found is the best way to use carbon.
The best example how to make carbon material worth the extra buck is when building a custom build bow for target shooting. You would increase the performance of a 38-42# bow by as much as having a similar performance of a 45# bow, while keeping the draw weight more than comfortable. Resulting in a bow which still has a flat trajectory at 20 yard competitions or 3D tournaments that do not go long range. The one shooting such bow, rater used to draw 45 and plus pound, would not feel the draw as harsh and would be surprised by the bows performance and speed, including notably reduced vibration (as carbon does absorb vibrations excellently), also known as handshock. This is a way where the use of carbon really makes sense and pays off.
For your typical hunting bow (of higher poundage), you would not use for target practice that much, when speed and performance is delivered by sheer poundage, and where you simply get used to that bang and shock a heavy bow would produce either way - carbon might not be necessary either.
And it goes without saying that if you are the kind of purist who does not want to miss that beautiful veneer on the back (and belly), you better drop a carbon backing (because there it is where it matters most) anyway. But, do not make the mistake to shoot a well build multilayered carbon bow, because afterwards, you might not like how your "little beauty" performs and vibrates, compared to such bow. Well, you might still deny it or forget about it quickly enough
Topic: Glass or carbon ?? (Read 825 times)
