Carbon fiber in bows.

[fireball31]

What good does carbon do in a longbow or recurve. Is their a legitimite speed difference, 5+ FPS,  is it smoother. Is it very design dependant?  I'm not being facetious.   (pretty sure I didn't spell that right)  I'm just interested.

[LKH]

Carbon is lighter and as such, allows the bow limb to react faster.  All things being equal, a bow limb of zero weight (not possible) would give the best performance.  

It can be hard to work with and you should take precautions to reduce your intake of ground fiber.

[LBR]

Depends on who you ask, bow design, how it's applied, etc.

My favorite bowyer doesn't offer cabon on any of his current styles because he doesn't feel you gain much of anything, but it ups the cost (on his bows).  On a bow designed around carbon, you'll probably see a difference.

[Kevin L.]

I mostly shoot Hill-style longbows and have tried a couple with carbon. To me, it feels like the bow is a bit steeper on the force-draw curve and is a bit faster. For me, the extra speed (not sure how much, no chrony) isn't important enough to sacrifice the smoothness of a normal, bamboo limb.

YMMV,

Kevin

[LongStick64]

For my experience with a couple of bows that I have with Carbon, Bows are faster, feel lighter, a touch louder (but nothing I couldn't silence, but I don't feel they draw any less smoother than any other limb I've had. My Morrison longbow limbs and my Black Swan bows perform exceptionally well, is it the carbon, I can't say. But I can say it hasn't hurt.

[Toxophilite]

Tim Mullins (Acadian Woods Bows) uses carbon in some of his recurve limbs, not to add speed but for stability.

[fireball31]

Thanks guys. Kevin you pretty muched gave me the answer I was looking for.  I'm looking at ordering another hill in the 80 to 90lb range next year in anticipation of an african or australian hunt for buff and figured if there was a substantial benefit in the speed department it might be worthwhile.

[Java Man]

Fireball31,

If you are looking for a really heavy bow to shoot really heavy arrows, I think the old stand by of boo and glass would serve you well.  Can't imagine carbon doing anything for you with that combo.

Java Man