self bow vs composite

[Ari]

My main focus is on stability so im Just wondering what the life spand of a self bow made of yew compared to a composite long bow would be.

Also feel free to add any pros or cons about either type.

[arrowslinger22]

Life span of an all wood bow depends on many things.  Yew, like all wood varies in density and strength.  Tillering makes a huge difference and, I believe, is the major factor in bow life.  That being said, if the composite is all wood, they can be longer lived if the proper combination of woods are used and they are glued up correctly.  I've made 4 composites and maybe 50 self bows.  2 of the composites have failed.  Of the selfbows that made it to the string, only one has failed so far.

[John Scifres]

It's very difficult to say without all the information but equally well-crafted bows of either type should last you a lifetime if cared for.  

Yew selfbows, being made of a homogenous material, may change more in reaction to the environment than a composite of say, yew and bamboo.

Yew is known to be more sensitive to temperature changes than osage, for instance.

[Bjorn]

If it is yew don't make it short or it won't last. If you draw 28 you will want a 68" bow, or a tad longer.

[Mark Baker]

Although I have yet to "wear out" any of my all wood bows, be it selfbow or composite, IMO, all wood bows DO have a life span and many factors go into determining that span.   This includes how well it's made and design considerations, how one goes about shooting the bow (your style), how much you shoot it, and even climate conditions.   They are less than perfect, and that's why bowyers keep trying to come up with better.   That being said, they have their own "coolness" factors that draw us to all-wood bows.    A yew selfbow, for instance has the properties in the sapwood and the heartwood to create magic, when designed correctly.   Osage is resilient in it's own right and can overcome many flaws or limits in design to shine above almost anything.  

A composite bow of all-wood, really is an attempt to mimic what yew already has, or what osage can do.   It solves some problems, but has it's own inherent idio's....and looses a bit in the "coolness" by being engineered instead of natural (IMO).  But it is still very cool to make it yourself, and can be thought out and manipulated a bit in it's design and construction to build in "last-i-bility", I think.   Also, if you are learning....composites can be cheaper and tons of fun as well.

[Ari]

Would even the best made selfbows last a life time if shot on a daily basis(one bow policy)?

Thanks for all the great input.