Creaking noise in vintage bow

[Homey88]

Looking for advice on a creaking noise when I draw my grandfathers vintage 67 Kodiak Hunter. Is it safe to shoot or should I retire it? Ant advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[cyred4d]

Please describe the noise. Does this bow have a new string that is making noise as it comes off the recurve portion of the bow?

[Homey88]

I got the string for it in December. It sounds like a creak in the upper limb, but I never thought that it could be the string. There are no de laminations of the limb some stress lines in the glass or crazing it might be called. I have been shooting the bow daily with no problems.

[BelegStrongbow]

Is the string heavily waxed? I had the same thing with my old 1967 super Kodiak when I first got it. Was simply the waxed string pulling away from the limbs. I truly hope that is what you hear.

[Hud]

It sounds like a section of glue gone bad between the laminations.  Unstring the bow, and hold it by the riser and upper limb and twist a little (don't over do it) listen for any sound, or get a good magnifier look, and feel for any break in the finish. Check riser/laminations, and the tip overlays too.  If you find anything call or send it to the Bow Hospital.

[JamesV]

Hud is right on. The limb failure in bows built in that era is usually due to the glue deteriorating, or the few I have re-limbed had that problem.

James

[njloco]

That sucks, I hope it's something simple like the string and, that you can at least, get it fixed, but if you can't, hang it on the wall, grandpa will still be proud !

[Homey88]

Thank you all for the advice it is greatly appreciated, and your right njloco, he would not want me to be injured and would still be proud! I will also be using his back quiver so a part of him will always be on the hunt with me. But still I'm hoping it is the string.

[Charlie Lamb]

Clean the limb, give the string a good coat of talc and see if the noise stops.

[Charlie Lamb]

If that doesn't stop the noise put the talc on your glove or tab.

[Wheels2]

I sometimes get the same noise from my shoulder.
Getting old is not for sissies.

[Homey88]

Will do, will give the limb a good cleaning

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by Wheels2:
I sometimes get the same noise from my shoulder.....
 

[iohkus]

SOMETIMES!!?

[SELFBOW19953]

Is the upper limb straight?  Is the string moving to one side because of a twist?

A slight twist and just the right combination of grit and wax can cause squeaks. Talc will tell you if it is that. A little opposing twist and clean up is an easier fix than if there is a split in a wood lam or a pulverized glue line.

[Homey88]

There is a slight twist I believe in the bottom limb and when I unstrung the bow there is a good deal of wax where the string contacts the bow. I'm going to try cleaning each string groove and then will shoot it.

[Homey88]

And see if it still makes the sound.

[Big Ed]

Does it have a quiver on the limbs?

[Stump73]

Sounds like the bows in the movies when they draw their bow.