Bow Life Expectancy

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Just wondering if there is a certain amount of shots in every bow. If you shoot the proper weighted arrows can a bow last a lifetime? I unstring my bow after each shooting session, but I do shoot alot of arrows a day and I only have one bow.

[lpcjon2]

IMHO they will out live us.

[Wapiti Chaser]

Got three 1966 Bear's that still perform like they're new ! Wish I could say the same for me   :(

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Wapiti, as long as your still shootin It's all good.

It only takes one arrow
   

[portugeejn]

I have a 1959 Bear Polar (same year as me!) that works better than I do :-).  Barring misuse, I think it must be pretty hard to wear out a well made bow.  I know I certainly never will.

RonP

[eric-thor]

i wouldnt count on selfbows ,for life but glass lam put it in your will.  

[Pat B]

I estimated I put at least 10,000 arrows through my Treadway bow the first year I owned it. That was in 1999 and it still shoots as well as the day I got it. Shooting 10gpp cedars and the original string.

[IdahoCurt]

i wouldnt count on selfbows ,for life but glass lam put it in your will.

My laminated boo backed osage has 8yrs of continuous shooting and is still pulling #64,no signs of any fatigue.

[eric-thor]

good for u .   lol but boo aint wood.    same as linen and sinue. they add to the fortitude of the bow . similar to glass.

id still rather have glass or carbon.or both .

[sagebrush]

I have a bear longbow was that was my dad's. I'm fifty-four and it still shoots. Gary

[marsniper27]

I just inherited my gradfathers pearson hunter it is all i am currently using and will serve well come fall.

I agree with lpc if it is well made and taken care of it will be around for generations to come.

[Tom-Wisconsin]

My bow also shoots better than I do.    

[IdahoCurt]

eric-thor,Can't ague that.

[joekeith]

Originally posted by Red Tailed Hawk:
and I only have one bow.

Only have 1 bow???????    How do you do it?
I didn't think that was possible.....  

[Red Tailed Hawk]

Joekeith, Now I didnt say I will only have one bow forever.    

IVE HAD MY EYES ON THOSE CENTAUR BOWS AND THEY ARE JUST BEAUTIFAL

[reddogge]

Don't fall into the trap that glass bows last forever.  I lost a '65 Kodiak last year that delaminated and a late 60s Hoyt Pro Hunter that blew a lower limb in half.  I read on the forums all the time how bows are blowing up and delaminating so how can you know when they will go or if they will go?  Impossible.

[eric-thor]

yes i have herd of them d-laminating as well. mostly old bows but some new as too . i think it has allot to do with the bows care and sometimes manufacture, im sure there are flaws that arent seen by the human eye in materials we use that are proned to failure weather sooner or later. but overall ill stick with my laminated bows .i have a 10 yr old thomahawk thunderstorm that has been through the huffy test : cold weather ,wet , dropped a couple dozen times and accidently dryfired at least 15 times in all climates ,and its still shootin just as strong as the first day i got it.

i think i got a good one  

[shaft slinger]

depends on alot of things...I have seen wheelies, lam'd longbow and recurves as well as selfbows come apart! Some new and some old!....I have a selfbow (YEW) that was made in the 1960's had not been strung or shoot in at least 30 years...I strung it last week and  shoot it daily!  Shoots great, pulls 53# @26"!...Longarrow

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I just hope my bow lasts longer than me.

[Brian Krebs]

I am not certain about ~all~ the math; but the older you are when you buy a bow; the higher the chances are: it will last a lifetime.    :D