Veins

[Tarkwin]

Shooting my longbow today, I noticed that some 'veins' have developed on the belly(? the archer side of the bow) equidistant from the hand position on both the upper and lower limb, these run across the bow in several places within a band of about 6-8".

As I am the only longbow archer at my club I have no-one I can turn to with this.

I am assuming that this is not normal, but is it fatal to the bow?

I do not know the materials from which is is made...

T.

[Kae]

To be honest, photographs are required here, as I can't picture exactly what you mean.

Kae.

[Tarkwin]

I will as soon as I can get to it in daylight..

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by Tarkwin

Shooting my longbow today, I noticed that some 'veins' have developed on the belly(? the archer side of the bow) equidistant from the hand position on both the upper and lower limb, these run across the bow in several places within a band of about 6-8".

As I am the only longbow archer at my club I have no-one I can turn to with this.

I am assuming that this is not normal, but is it fatal to the bow?

I do not know the materials from which is is made...

T.

If it's acress the grain of the limb sounds like "chrystals" ie compression spots where the wood fibres are damaged, usually due to (a) the wood type (some chrystal more than others in a belly) and how even the curvature of bow limb is. As I say, some woods are more prone to belly chrystalling- for example, ash will tend to chrystal as will something like a wenge or bloodwood belly- this is I believe partly why only a limited number of wood are used for belly, they are the ones that tend not to chrystal.

If not too bad, they can be "cured"- basically you prick either side to relieve compression and usually OK then (yes I did learn that from a guild bowyer too BTW). But Kae is correct, pics would be helpful to see if it is chrystals we are seeing....

Hope that helps.

P.

[john rowland]

Originally Posted by Tarkwin

Shooting my longbow today, I noticed that some 'veins' have developed on the belly(? the archer side of the bow) equidistant from the hand position on both the upper and lower limb, these run across the bow in several places within a band of about 6-8".

As I am the only longbow archer at my club I have no-one I can turn to with this.

I am assuming that this is not normal, but is it fatal to the bow?

I do not know the materials from which is is made...

T.

I have never had one do that , but it sounds dodgy to me i would have it checked out before using it again i had one break on me before and it was most painfull , John

[JohnK]

Across the bow? They sound like compression fractures. If they are, and you need to get it confirmed by a bowyer, then you should not shoot it. Some can be repaired (sometimes by cutting them out and splicing in a piece of wood in their place) but as I understand it it often signals the end of the bow's useful lifespan.

In other words, get it to a bowyer and be prepared for the fact that it may only be a useful wall ornament from now on.

[Tarkwin]

well...I shot it tonight..and it lasted about 2 dozen before turning into splinters at my feet

anyone got a 40-50# longbow for sale?

T.

[clickerati]

Originally Posted by Tarkwin

well...I shot it tonight..and it lasted about 2 dozen before turning into splinters at my feet

anyone got a 40-50# longbow for sale?

T.

Oh honey!!! I'm so sorry for your loss.

*big hugs*

[provins]

Sorry to hear that Steve,I'm thinking of selling one of my Paul Reed bows as I've had to drop poundage due to injury.
Pm me if your interested but it would be about55# draw weight.

[Tarkwin]

Originally Posted by provins

Sorry to hear that Steve,I'm thinking of selling one of my Paul Reed bows as I've had to drop poundage due to injury.
Pm me if your interested but it would be about55# draw weight.

I think that at this point, 55# would be too heavy for me...

but thanks for the offer.

T.