Don't use FF with wood tips!!! (pics)

[Bjorn]

I use FF type strings on my self bows too with no problems.
And what about all the "FF ready" bows that have wood tips and work perfectly well? Does a bowyer drop the "FF Ready" designation if the customer asks for wood tips? None of mine have.
You see a sad pic like that and it consists of a broken bow........and a string Hmmm well what could it be? Glue starvation, bad lamb build up, poorly made tip, dry fire, car door....... whatever.

[Pointer]

You can make any bow FF capable with a little bit of knowledge a sanding block, some epoxy and a couple pieces of phenolic. I've done it to lots of my old bows from the 60's and 70's with no problems at all. Using FF on a bow with tip overlays that aren't made for it is just asking for trouble. It's a shame that bow was ruined...

[Ric O'Shay]

Doesn't appear the nock groove itself was damaged. Only where the string rode on the shoulders of the tip, as the string ripped right straight down on either side of the nock groove. Perhaps the string was not even in the nock groove. Poor bow design?

   

[moleman]

Silly question,scorn me if you like,but other than a few fps,what are the benefitts of ff strings?  

[JamesV]

Yep.............samething with my browning wasp and FF string.........

[smokin feathers]

ouch!!! same thing happens if you shoot too light of arrows(been there and done that!!)

[Bowwild]

Looks like it was a terrific Wapiti.

[Bowwild]

[Hatrick]

I've seen this a couple of times. I'm repairing an old Howatt now that met a similar fate. Although it very well could have been a dry fire, more than likely it was from repeated use with a low stretch string with tips not built for it's use.

Pointer stated " You can make any bow FF capable with a little bit of knowledge a sanding block, some epoxy and a couple pieces of phenolic. I've done it to lots of my old bows from the 60's and 70's with no problems at all. Using FF on a bow with tip overlays that aren't made for it is just asking for trouble. It's a shame that bow was ruined..."  

Yep, I agree 100%.

[Stump_pounder]

Huh I saw that on time but my cousin dropped his bow from a tree stand. I didnt know you could do it by using the wrong string. Lear somthing everyday on tradgang

[sheephunter]

That would suck!

[highPlains]

Originally posted by Bjorn:
However to arbitrarily blame the string material may be jumping to conclusions.

Ah...I hate to sound confrontational because I sure don't mean it this way...BUT, it is certainly not arbitrary. Neither am I jumping to conclusions. This is a direct result of FF material being used on a bow that was not meant for it.

I know some bows with wooden tips have handled FF strings without problem. That certainly doesn't mean that all will. Obviously some types of wood are better suited for that kind of force, this one wasn't.

ALSO, per the owner, the bow was not dry-fired. I realize that some guys are not truthful in a potentially embarrassing situation like this, but I know this gentlemen and trust his word.

I am not sure how many shots were fired before this happened. I can't even venture a guess.

The bow is a Wapiti. Keith has maybe as much experience as anybody in the world when it comes to building bows. He has seen this before in his and other people's bows. Keith is giving this customer a full warranty, even though his warranty wouldn't cover the use of a FF string or a dry-fire. It is an honorable move on Keith's part.

Like I said, I have not seen this in person before now. I have heard talk by reputable bowyers and bowhunters that this is exactly what happens. Tom, my Dad, has seen this happen to several bows when using FF with wooden tips. Exact same breakage.

Was the tip damaged or improperly made prior to breaking? I suppose there is no way to know for sure. However, since the bottom tip was cracked and also about to break, and since Keith is no spring chicken when it comes to building bows, and since my Dad and others have seen the exact same damage from FF, it is doubtful.  

I put these pictures here purely for educational purposes. I figured many of you guys would be interested in seeing this. Lets not jump to any conclusions    No need to put down the bowyer or argue about potential causes. Nothing new here. It was an unfortunate accident. That's it.

[AKCrazyhorse]

In 2003 my landlord wanted to shoot my Robertson Perigrine.  That was my first trad bow and I took my first whitetail buck with it.  He assured me he had shot many bows.  While I had my back turned he drew it and promptly dry fired it.  The illustrations above happened to both top and bottom limbs.  He felt terrible and promised to buy me a new one.....I'm still waiting.  Never had that happen outside a dry fire.

[Sixby]

I lost a beautiful old Grizzly that i treasured by putting a fast flight string on it. I left it strung a couple of hours and it did exactly what the pictured bow did. split the limbs down both sides. It absolutely was not being shot and had never been shot with the string. Just strung and hung on the rack in my bow shop. It was my first experience with ff on trad bows.
the bow in the second pic had the phenolic cut down too thin. You should not cut into the bottom layer of phenolic. if so then just barely.

The shape of the string notch should be cut in a teardrop shape. rounded across the top and then down the sides to a teardrop. no shoulders or anything to catch on. Great care should be taken in fitting the string and making sure it lays in the grooves right.I use phenolic on all ff bows . Wood and horn or antler is added in a thin layer on the top and is for looks only.
I know people will argue about this. Its ok if you do. But the lesson you learn could have been learned easier than mine was.

God bless you all and Merry Christmas, Steve

[TDHunter]

I saw the same thing happen to my brothers Mamba many years ago.

[Hatrick]

Sixby, your explanation of applying the phenolic and cutting the string grooves is spot on.      

No argument from me.