Too much of a good thing?

[steve58]

OK, it has been suggested to me that I shoot more than most "traditional" (= longbow) archers. This year I have been logging my shooting and find that I am shooting over 1,000 arrows per month, or 250 per week. Surely not that many? If I shot a National Tuesday and Thursday at the club, and a York on the Sunday (not unreasonable) that would be over 300.

Questions: how many arrows do you shoot? Does your bow cope with the pressure? (Or do you have two or more and alternate?)

[Araglin]

Originally Posted by steve58

Questions: how many arrows do you shoot? Does your bow cope with the pressure? (Or do you have two or more and alternate?)

Min c50pw, max c250pw depending on number of nights shooting at t'club and whether there's a shoot at the w/e. Bow starting to show its age after nearly 3 years.

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Araglin

Min c50pw, max c250pw depending on number of nights shooting at t'club and whether there's a shoot at the w/e. Bow starting to show its age after nearly 3 years.

What are the symptoms of the bow starting to show its age?

[Et tu brute]

The bows string follow would be an indicator of how much it's been shot, however different bows will follow the string quicker/slower than others.

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Et tu brute

The bows string follow would be an indicator of how much it's been shot, however different bows will follow the string quicker/slower than others.

Both my bows have followed the string somewhat, it seems to have got to a certain point and then stopped, although I've not attempted to measure it. I have been told that a little string follow is "kinder" to the bow and makes it less stressed?

[Et tu brute]

I suppose a bow with string follow will effectively have a lower brace height than one with no string follow, as it is already in a permanent "set". The bow will ofcourse lose cast to an extent with string follow, however I believe someone (Horace Ford?) said that a bow with a little string follow is sweeter to shoot than a bow with no string follow, for target archery at least.

[wheeljem]

Sorry for the daft question but what is string follow?

As for how often I shoot, between shooting in the evenings and running round the woods at the weekend, about 300 arrows per week. Would be more but I'k forever waiting for compund archers at the target club I belong to.

[Araglin]

Originally Posted by steve58

What are the symptoms of the bow starting to show its age?

Following the string - it's now got quite a curve on it when unstrung. Doesn't help that I linger at full draw longer than I should. It was only a 35lb pull when I started (which was why I could linger) and I suspect it's significantly less now.

[BorderBows]

Originally Posted by steve58

What are the symptoms of the bow starting to show its age?

They are just like an old man... Starts to hunch, has hairs on its back, as the woods lift, and has a saggy wrinkly belly, which is the compresson frets.

Bow is ready for Gods waiting room, or the post office que

The less of these the better the bow as age takes its toll.

[djthompson]

measure the amount of 'set' by putting on a table/wall/floor - and with the back of the nocks/tips touching the wall - measure the distance from the handle to the table/wall/floor.

Anything more than 2" and you will start to loose cast from the bow - any less; I wouldn't worry about it.

Cheers, D