Black Glass

[BUCKY]

I saw that Jason Kendall (Kanati Bows)said that black glass has become so popular that he will be using only black glass from now on.Do you think it's because it looks good or so many hunters are using blinds?

[robtattoo]

To be fair, I think price is quite a factor too. Hunting bows really don't 'need' to be that pretty & if it performs the same & saves a hundred bucks or so then it's black glass all the way for me!

[ChetterB]

I also talked to two different Bowyers that thought black glass had more " robustness" and possibly more consistant and a tad better performance, just though I would pass it along. I would not know.Thanks Jerry.

[mooseman76]

Another possible reason for its popularity may have to do with all the flaws that are present in the clear glass of today.  It is rare to get find clear glass that doesn't have some streaks and other flaws anymore...Mike

[Holm-Made]

Jason is able to keep his costs down with black glass so he can keep his bow prices down.  Only has to buy one type of glass and bamboo for core lams.  He doesn't have to worry about cosmetic flaws in the clear glass either.
Black glass does look sharp and to me seems to be a better product, more dense anyway.
I've certainly thought about it myself.  It would make life easier and cut production time and costs way down.  Chad

[bushytail]

I bought a Tomahawk SS longbow from 3Rivers about 3 years ago.Had problems with the clear fiberglass cracking.On the origanal and the replacement.Dale told me that sometimes they get a bad batch of clear fiberglass.Got my money back and bought a Bear Super Kodiak with the black glass.No problems.Other boyers told me the same story about the clear fiberglass.I know one boyer that only uses black fiberglass for that reason.

[Irish Archer]

I guess I'm odd man out here. I hate black glass. But for some reason, I'm cool with brown or gray, and you gotta' love clear glass over some nice veeners. I'm kinda' weird I guess.

[jwingman]

One little air bubble that will not affect the real performance or longevity of the bow under clear glass and you are making another bow to ship to the customer. Cost to make an extra bow when this happens, right out of the bowyers pocket.
  One little bubble under black glass and the bow ships and all are happy. It keeps costs down. No doubt about it. Just my two cents because I have had one of those devilish little bubbles show it's face in the middle of an otherwise beautiful bow. It is a terrible sight. That along with the poor clear glass available today.

[Bob Sarrels]

About 90% of the bows I make are clear glass over veneers.  I do get orders for a few black glass bows and every stock bow I build from black glass sells.  It can be very striking with the right riser woods.  As far as price goes I think I pay appx. $4 less a strip for black glass.  Thats $8 total in the price.  When your talking $500 to $800 purchases I don't think thats much of a saving.  As far as performance I had read from several different sources that black was faster.  I doubted it and ran my own test.  I built 4 bows, 2 at 45# and 2 at 50#.  Of each one was clear and one was black with identical corewoods (action boo)  The black was faster , not a lot, maybe 4 to 5 ft, but it was faster.  The only problem with black is if you have not done your job properly and have an area that is not properly glued it will not show up

[bentpole]

BUCKY you know me I love Black Glass! Question for bowyers. Over the years the dribbs and drabs of knowledge I have aquired  has lead me to believe that performance wise Black Glass is the best with brown next and then  green in that order.  True or False? Bob your saying that Black Glass was 4 to 5 FPS faster than clear!!?? Man oh man that's the same benefits as foam limbs compared to standard isn't it? For a lot less bucks too. Hmmmm very interesting.

[Holm-Made]

Agreed Bob.  The cost of the glass itself isn't the expense the expense is in replacing or discounting bows with cosmetic flaws in or under the glass.  Plus it is a lot of work buying, stocking and grinding/ splicing veneers.  A bow with 3 cores of actionboo and 2 veneers is a 5 lam bow where with colored glass it could be a 3 lam bow without any splicing in the handle.  

I have spoken with Jason on the subject in the past and it is important to him to keep the cost of his bows down in this economy and this is a way in which he can do it.  Personally I like the veneers under the clear glass.  I love that feeling of peeling the tape off a freshly glued up bow and seeing how the veneers look on the bow.  It can be stunning and I'd miss that.  Of course peeling up the tape to reveal flaws can test ones faith and I have even been known to invent some new words that would make a wounded pirate shudder.  Chad

[Randy Morin]

I had never built a black glass bow until this year.  Now I have built 4 of them and they are striking to me.  Yeah I may only save about 10 $ per bow but it sure does simplify things.  Bamboo and Black Glass...thats it.  I also think that brown is really classy.

Having said all that I will continue to build with pretty limb woods and clear glass but the quality is in the toilet these days.  Those little white splinters (in the glass) that apparently are not structural problems but only asthetic are a nightmare for me (someone who only wants to build around 10 bows a year). Maybe someday those "splinters" will be "character" and people will pay more for them...not.     :D

[BOWMARKS]

Im with you Irish I like the look of wood the black glass has no class .

[PV]

Originally posted by Holm-Made:
 I love that feeling of peeling the tape off a freshly glued up bow and seeing how the veneers look on the bow.  It can be stunning and I'd miss that.  Of course peeling up the tape to reveal flaws can test ones faith and I have even been known to invent some new words that would make a wounded pirate shudder.  Chad

Amen to that Chad    
I prefer black glass in my personal bows.I've found it to be more consistant and a bit faster. The speed is helped by a smaller stack height to hit weight than with clear. Goes well with carbon on the back also.

[wihill]

Colored or clear glass doesn't much matter to me, but after looking though all my bows I've noticed that I seem to have more black than clear.

With all the benifits of colored glass over clear, I would love to see the colored glass (such as green, brown, maroon, white, etc) make a comeback - or at least become an option.

There's just something classic about those old colored glass bows.

[Jwilliam]

Mark,
I can't believe you said "Black Glass Has No Class". I happen to think my 2 Treadway's look really nice. But I guess there just like the guy who shoots them No Class!!!    


Bill

[broketooth]

i guess thats why the older class bear bows stay shootable for so long.my k-mag is a year older than me

[Bakes168]

I really like the look of the older colored glass bows. My brother has a Grizzly with brown glass and that thing is a beauty IMHO.  :D

[Jason Kendall]

TTT for more Black glass input! Good post!

[vermonster13]

Most know how I feel about black bows.