Warming up the Bow

[English Bowman]

You don't need to warm up an AFB, and rubbing an ELB won't help much either.
To warm an ELB up just work it back to full draw gradually, draw a couple of inches and let down, then a couple more and let down, and so on until you reach full draw. With an AFB you don't even need to do that, but you can if it makes you feel better.
Daniel

[sparrowfoot]

Thanks, as I say that's what I've observered ELBers doing. Probably good for your back too.

[Harlequin_UK]

Originally Posted by robtattoo

*cough*cobblers*cough*


If in doubt, just leave it permanantly strung! There's no need at all to remove the string, ever.

Not really the greatest idea. especially with longbows.

As for the whole warming up. No harm is done by doing it, so go ahead and that shaft.

[jb.68]

Originally Posted by English Bowman

rubbing an ELB won't help much either.

I agree. By rubbing it, all you are doing is warming up the area that you are rubbing at that moment and you are not gaining any deep penetration of the heat into the bow. As has been suggested, just draw the bow up several times. I normally point the back of the bow towards the ground and just draw the string up towards my armpit 15 to 20 times.

[robtattoo]

Originally Posted by Harlequin_UK

Not really the greatest idea. especially with longbows.

We aren't talking about longbows (as in ELBs) though, are we. Leaving a glass backed bow strung will do it no harm at all...FACT.
The only time it's a bad idea is in a really hot car (ie 100F+) otherwise it'll not affect it in any way, shape or form.

[BorderBows]

Carbon or glass, we never have any problems with any bow wither it be in the snow bound regions of alaska, or the warm summers in africa.

The glass has such a large influence on the bow that warming will have no influence, and to have an influence you need temps high enough that will case the glass/carbon issues, the resin will break up..

With the modern Kiln dried woods, not sure if warming a ELB will have much effect either...You would feel any grain lifting, and you would help any oils to penetrate the bow better, but most modern ELBS are Varnished. Heat will encourage the bow to follow the string, same effect as steaming? (Not really sure how and why ELB warming started, The Turkish flight bows, with there sinue were the only bows we knew of it)

But composit bows.... Not a problem, We have a couple of griffons here that have been strung constantly and pulled 2-3 times a week, for the last 2 years. Hasnt lost a pound in weight nor snapped, nor done anything, still as good as new!

We recomend rubbing the limbs for 2 reasons. It will keep the look of the varnish more consistant, as the grip and the limbs will wear at similar rates, shine up the same, and it will also warm your hands up, Also with enough friction and done hard enough it will also warm you up so you will pull less muscles, so thats the only reason why we could see for doing so

[sparrowfoot]

Thanks that's useful information.

[sparrowfoot]

...as you say I can see the benefits of warming up the archer, and a chance to inspect the bow for early signs of damage. However, since for some reason the motion of rubbing the bow is a cause of merriment I'm quite keen not to have to do it!

I have read that sinew-horn composite Asiatic bows were kept in special warm rooms before battle, I think to drive moisture out that could weaken the glue.