How do I know if an aged longbow is safe to use?

[Toxopholist]

Hi

I'd be very interested to know what shape the bow is when you take the string off. Have the limbs followed the string as much as would be expected? A 40 year longbow experiment! Shame he didn't make a few using different woods.....

Regards.

[jeduffey]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, what happened? Did you unstring it to measure the set? Did you flex it, break it, shoot it? aarrhhggg the anticipation.

[wingate_52]

maybe we will find out when he comes out of hospital?

Soon be November 5th, wait till then... or just keep for old times sake. On no account should you try and draw it up

[gwynn]

Originally Posted by buzz lite beer

1st steal a hard hat from McAlpine's, Buzz

I would also wear goggles, high gloves [eagle classic archery do a kevlar bracer!] and some sort of groin protection.
I have had a Longbow do a rapid disassembley on me and it happens fast and can make your eyes water

[dtalbot]

Yep,
Worring cracking noise as I drew my ash longbow at the weekend, let it down got the string off and sure enough there is a hairline creack in the face of the lower limb about a third of the way down from the handle.
So I dont have a longbow any more just an interestingly shaped length of wood!

[kernowtom]

With the modified tiller I am sure you will be able to turn it sideways and shoot around corners - very useful if someone walking back from the target line is in your way...

[private sponge]

I have broken 6 longbows from 40lb to 140lb and none of (them) were 1year old....nuff said!..... put it back on the wall, you know it makes sense.
100 years..... 100 tears!

[Kae]

Originally Posted by private sponge

I have broken 6 longbows from 40lb to 140lb and none of (them) were 1year old....nuff said!..... put it back on the wall, you know it makes sense.
100 years..... 100 tears!

eh? how?

My 40lb longbow is 4 years old and is still in reasonable shape........... (touch wood)

[steve58]

This season two of my clubmates have had the same problem with bows from the same bowyer, the hickory backing began to split and break up. Both were less than 6 months old. In the first case the bowyer put a new backing on the bow, no questions asked, apparently shot even better for it! Don't know about the second one as it only happened yesterday. I have seen bows "go" at shoots and it ain't pretty. Wood is a natural material and can never be guaranteed I guess. Explains the number of people who turn up with several bows!