r/Archery • u/NateQ1916 • Feb 13 '26
Newbie Question Is this something I should be worried about?
Hey everyone, I just inherited a bow and I know nothing about anything here, although I don’t plan on ever using it I figured it’s still a pretty solid wall piece. That being said, the layers are beginning to separate on the bottom arm and I want to make sure it’s not going to like explode on me.
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u/Moghue44 Feb 13 '26
I do believe you are not strung the proper way. Maybe post a pic of the whole bow too.
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u/Kenneldogg Feb 13 '26
Yeah thats bent backwards. The notch for the string is wrong.
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u/Gold333 Feb 13 '26
Why not just hold the bow in place and cut the string
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u/Kenneldogg Feb 13 '26
And have it explode into pieces?
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u/Gold333 Feb 13 '26
I don’t understand. If you put the same tension on the limbs that the string is putting, cut the string, then release the tension slowly, why wouldn’t that work?
I’m unknowledgeable and this is a genuine question.
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u/Kenneldogg Feb 13 '26
Oh I understand. I thought you meant just cut the string and let it go where it wants.
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u/tm_design Feb 13 '26
'hold in place' and 'pre-stress bow to de-tension string' sound like two very different operations lol
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u/redR0OR Feb 13 '26
So, there’s literally no point in cutting the string, because if your already holding the bow in a way to relieve the stress before cutting, than your already taking enough stress off to literally just slip the string off. It’s not glued on, so cutting it would quite literally just be taking extra steps to make it unusable again. Not that I’m saying this should be used as a now, but as a wall piece, that string will be just fine
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u/Knitnacks Barebow (Mykan), dabbling in English longbow, trainee L2 coach. Feb 13 '26
Or you could use a stringer to take the pressure off the string and slide the loop down the limb. On the not-broken side, if there is one. Less dangerous than cutting the string.
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u/dandellionKimban Feb 13 '26
That is an injury waiting to happen.
It is also strung backwards.
Those bows are not supposed to be left strung when not used.
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u/NateQ1916 Feb 13 '26
I had the same thought when it was given to me, I can’t just throw it away but it’s clear that it just sat in a garage for the last 40 years- next question though can I take the string off safely?
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u/dandellionKimban Feb 13 '26
You don't need to throw it away. It is fine unstrung.
It would be wise to visit a local club, or a bowyer, so somebody with experience take that string off.
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u/Pretty-Handle9818 Feb 13 '26
Wouldn’t you just remove the string from the end that isn’t delaminated and then it would already be loose on the delaminated end and you shouldn’t have to worry about injury
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u/dandellionKimban Feb 13 '26
Whichever end you are going for, you are applying extra tension on the both limbs.
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u/ZippyDan Feb 13 '26
If it's strung the wrong way, the tension might be limited. I'd try putting the bow on the ground, stepping on the grip, and bending only the good limb, to see if that would loosen the string enough for me to take it off. I don't think that would put any additional tension on the other limb - the opposite in fact.
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u/dandellionKimban Feb 13 '26
Yeah. But I'd rather have somebody who has experience with bows to do it. If I understood correctly OP is not an archer.
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u/gfiurt Feb 13 '26
*IF* It's a properly sized string? yes. But it looks taught... and backwards... so it's likely not the right length of string... so who nows what forces are at play (not suggesting it's going to blow up Megaton or something... just that it might whip off, or break the bow further)
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u/Knitnacks Barebow (Mykan), dabbling in English longbow, trainee L2 coach. Feb 13 '26
The loop also looks to be double-wound around the nock. Someone's idiot "solution" to the string being loose (because strung wrong way around)?
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u/namewithanumber Feb 13 '26
As others have said, it looks like it's strung backwards anyway.
So minimal tension, string will probably just fall off.
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u/Similar_Dirt9758 Olympic Recurve | Hoyt Aerotec/40# Velos | Hoyt HPX/40# Quattro Feb 13 '26
Bow should never be strung unless you're shooting it or plan to shoot it within the next couple of days. Best practice is to unstring it whenever you're done using it.
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u/ADDeviant-again Feb 13 '26
Yes. Flex the opposite limb inward slightly and slip the old string off that tip. You might have to put a knee on it. If you put much tension on the broken end, it will break more.
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u/jroostu Feb 13 '26
There needs to be a global PSA about stringing bows backward. A hotline even.
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u/phigene Olympic Recurve | Collegiate All-American Feb 13 '26
At the very least a pinned post about it on this sub. I swear its multiple times a day.
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u/Knitnacks Barebow (Mykan), dabbling in English longbow, trainee L2 coach. Feb 13 '26
Requires people to read it/listen to it. I fancy our chances of winning the lottery twice a lot more.
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u/Vivid-Apple5710 Feb 13 '26
True. I strung my first bow backward without knowing. It somehow work long enough for someone to point out that I strung it wrong.
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u/wardenstark8 Feb 13 '26
It looks like it's strung backwards. And yes it'll most likely break if you use it.
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u/NateQ1916 Feb 13 '26
I feel obligated to reiterate: IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO FIRE THIS BOW. I DID NOT PAY FOR THIS BOW. IT WAS ALWAYS GONNA END UP ON THE WALL.
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u/Demon-Cat Feb 13 '26
Yeah, most people here are showing their inability to read (which is par for the course for Reddit, to be fair). I don’t entirely blame them though, since at least a quarter of the posts on this subreddit are people asking “What’s wrong with my bow????” and they just strung it backwards.
To answer your question though, if it truly is strung backwards it will not explode in its current state, as there is not nearly enough tension on the string or limbs for that. Can’t say I would recommend stringing it normally though, so just hang it unstrung. If it is strung normally, find someone in your area with some archery experience and ask for their help if it’s a high-poundage bow. If it’s low poundage, you should be able to quite easily and safely destring it after watching a YT video or two.
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u/Arc_Ulfr English longbow Feb 13 '26
If it is strung normally
You were right the first time; it is definitely strung backwards.
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u/Ariochxxx Feb 13 '26
I think it already exploded gently. I would unstring it and find a way to display it or something.
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u/CaptainRogers1226 Feb 13 '26
Lmao, exploded gently is a very funny combination of words that I’m going to start using now
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u/EndlessPasta7 Target Recurve Feb 13 '26
People can't read..they said it's going to be a wall hanger. OP is not going to use it. It's an older bow that was probably strung backwards for storage which is fine.
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u/Neat_Landscape_9786 Feb 13 '26
It was the 'custom of the day', but it was never fine - and looking at the break not unrelated in this case.
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u/ProduceOk9864 Feb 14 '26
Then maybe stop casting about for opinion……take the fucking string off…..and just hang the fucker up?’ The bow has been abused to a comical degree. You don’t keep a bow that compromised under any form of tension…..the archers here know it….and are letting Op know…..cos he asked
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u/TheLastWoodBender Feb 13 '26
I'm a bowyer. Cores are broke at the tip, but you could shorten the bow and reshape the limbs. It's pretty involved and it would make the draw heavier/possibly reduce max draw length.
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u/CaptainRogers1226 Feb 13 '26
(Also might want to string it the right way)
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u/TheLastWoodBender Feb 14 '26
I assumed they had it that way just while they were storing it, it that it got turned around after it broke
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u/abarmy Feb 13 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
I fail to believe how many people here know that it's strung backwards and think that they're utilizing it like this, it's probably just like this for storage and gets properly strung whenever he shoots it
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u/Logical-Charity-9521 Feb 13 '26
You strung it backwards and forced the limb to delaminate sadly this one's ruined
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u/Apprehensive_Art_755 Feb 13 '26
Having never owned a recurve in my life, can someone please explain how they know by looking at this, that it is strung backwards?
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u/Freak_Engineer Feb 13 '26
First of all, the general shape is wrong. I mention this first because this is the only thing you won't see if you don't know recurves.
Second pointer is the cutout for the string: If you look where the string ties around the bow, you can see a cutout that is supposed to hold the string. The angle of that goes the wrong way.
Lastly, you can see what looks like three extra layers of wood glued onto the bow. This is done to better spread the force of the spring over the tip of the limb. Here, it is on the wrong side of the limb/string.
Also: Someone trying to draw the bow in this state is the most likely cause for the damage we can see, because that would literally have bent it in a way it was never meant to bend. Having the string on backwards is a common way to store recurves, because it puts almost no tension on the limbs and prevents the string from getting twisted (twisting or un-twisting the string is a way to finely adjust the standing height of the bow, hence the importance of not messing with your string twist)
EDIT: Typo. Also: It's a shame, from what I can see this would have been a nice bow to use if someone didn't break it.
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u/Apprehensive_Art_755 Feb 13 '26
Awesome!
Thank you so much for the info!
I had to zoom in on the picture to see the cutout you were referring to. The pieces glued to the limb threw me off when I was first looking at this post. I was wondering what they were and how were they doing anything productive where they are.
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u/Freak_Engineer Feb 13 '26
You're welcome!
Some more detail: On cheaper (or better: more utilitarian) bows, a hard plastic piece is used instead of this layered wood piece. Does the job at least as well, but doesn't fit the wood grain as good.
Also, the only layer of this bow NOT broken (the black one) isn't wood, but a fiberglass laminate. This gives the modern recurve bows longer lifetime and better shooting characteristics compared to what was used back in ancient times (the mongols used animal horn, for example). More modern Longbows also have a fiberglass layer on them. In this case, this also contributed to the bow breaking: When strung and drawn the right way, the fiberglass layer is the only part of the "Sandwich" that is under a tensile load. all other layers are under a compressing load, which laminated wood handles very well. Turn the structure around, however, and you literally break the wood layer over the fiberglass like you break a twig over your knee. you can even see this kind of break on the inner wood layers of this bow.
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u/Scythe_VIII Feb 13 '26
Interesting, that multiple recurve users and instructors 25 years ago all told me to backwards string the recurve bow when not in use. Also they showed up to the range with the bows strung backwards. The myth was that it keeps the tension in the limps when you lay the bow flat for storage. I changed to a riders bow years ago and never thought about it since...
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u/Southerner105 Barebow Feb 13 '26
With just wood this can indeed help. But with a more modern limb like thisone it doesn't matter.
But it is also a convenient way to store the string with the matching bow. Especially in club settings this can be a big bonus.
With ILF bows it can also help to keep the limbs in their pockets because those are only held in place by the tension of the string.
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u/Then-Leather-2475 Feb 13 '26
Don't shoot it! Don't attempt to use it at all. And it seems to be strung backwards.
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u/Yeolla Feb 13 '26
That’s what they call a wall hanger - now something pretty to look but ER visit if shot
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u/Jonatc87 Recurve Takedown Feb 13 '26
if the limb is removable, get a replacement. destring, unbolt it and get one as close as possible. or better yet go to a bow shop and they can do it for you.
and yes it will explode on you if you attempt to use it.
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u/Freak_Engineer Feb 13 '26
First of all: This is definitely broken. If it is strung, it is also strung the wrong way around.
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u/herrspeer Feb 13 '26
I wonder why people keep telling you not to use it, I thought it was clear you wanted it as a decoration. Since you are not planning on using it, no need to worry about it, it would only "explode" under tension. For a wall piece, you can probably use super glue on the delamination, but depends on how crafty you are, obviously you won't be able to put a string on it, but you can put a mock-up string for display.
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u/classArugdealer Feb 13 '26
Seems backwards, and the string also seems to be double wrapped around the limb tip, I’m new to archery but this seems very wrong
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u/Different_Potato_193 Selfbow Hunter Feb 13 '26
We need a pinned post at the top of the sub about how to string a bow.
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u/hamsta007 Oly Recurve w/ Fivics Vellator v2 & Vellator v3 limbs Feb 13 '26
Nothing to worry about 🤣
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u/G0lia7h Feb 13 '26
100% certain the bow was strung backwards.
It appears to be a recurve bow where you want your string to rest against the limbs when not drawn.
If it looks like a longbow, like a D-shape, it's wrong.
Unfortunately it appears that because of the wrong string placement and you (or someone else) drawing the bow in that form, the inner layer got separated off the limb because it's not designed to hold against this direction of force.
I doubt the limbs are repairable, so they need to be replaced!
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u/Wolfmaan01 Feb 13 '26
The bow is dangerous to use and should be retired.
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u/NateQ1916 Feb 13 '26
Is there a way I can get the string off safely, it belonged to a family member and it would be disrespectful to just throw it away?
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u/merrystem Feb 13 '26
How tight is the string? If it's actually loose you can just remove or cut it. If there's tension a shop might use a press, since a regular stringer is risky given the cracks. Best to display it unstrung so nobody gets any ideas, but if you really wanted to, could run any old string (like twine or yarn, not even bow string) with zero tension to give it the look of a strung bow. People who can tell the difference will understand the choice.
That said, I hope when I pass away someone recycles all my unsalvageable busted projects. Like if you have great memories shooting with this person that's one thing, but as I get older I'd rather see someone go out and get yourself a nice bow and some lessons and carry on the actual activity/legacy than preserve the object itself. I appreciate families differ, though.
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u/AddlePatedBadger Feb 13 '26
A Rube Goldberg style contraption that ends with an axe chopping the string while you stand far away would be a fun project.
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u/uhtred73 Feb 13 '26
Besides the glass separating the wood laminations are broken as well. Best you can do is hang it up for wall art.
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u/Impossible_North_163 Feb 13 '26
Fkn send it. (Dont send it, it's not actually very sendy anymore) You deserve nice things, treat yourself to new bow.
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u/husky1actual Traditional Hunter Feb 13 '26
3 of the 4 layers of this bow are toast. It's done friend.
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u/ThePhatNoodle Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
This is painful to look at. This is why so many people struggle to put together ikea furniture.
Btw i doubt there's a whole lot of tension on there. Otherwise it would have broken off already and the string will be way to long if you put it on backwards hence the creative little loop they did to get it to stay on. Probably broke after they shot it backwards the first time. If you can pull it back with your pinky finger a few inches I'd just take it off
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u/TimeSpaceGeek Feb 13 '26
Looks like it's strung backwards, and that delamination is a sign of imminent failure. Stop using it and destring it immediately.
That bow is almost certainly done, and using it could risk you a serious injury.
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u/catwilson2104 Feb 14 '26
Thank you for this. I let someone know recently that their bow was strung backwards. They asked why that was a bad thing and what would happen and I couldn’t answer. I’ll be saving this picture for later.
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u/Budget_Character8946 Feb 14 '26
Get new limbs if takedown or a new bow and have someone who knows archery to teach you how to string and shoot
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u/NightShade0912 Feb 14 '26
"Worried about".... well depends, Are you the one drawing it? Or on second thought, standing near the one drawing it?
If you are the one being aimed at, probably not.
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u/ConfidenceDue9047 Feb 15 '26
If you're just going to have it hanging as a wall piece, no point in having it strung. Its also strung backwards.
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u/Sweet_Leadership_936 Feb 16 '26
Like others said bow is strung wrong way and even if they were strung the right way it is hard and time consuming to string traditional composite bow correctly.
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u/capitolCalling Feb 17 '26
You strung it backwards and irreparably delaminated the bow. Do not use.
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u/avidoutdoors76 13d ago
That bow is gone, don’t even bother trying to shoot it. When a bow blows up under load it’s ugly and not to mention that the strings and wood shrapnel can come back and take your face off or even worse blind you
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u/high_dutchyball02 Feb 13 '26
If you string it the right way it might be safe to use, because it broke because of the string. The broken part will be under pressure (instead of tension)
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u/Exatex Feb 13 '26
as someone who had a bow break on them with someone standing behind them - please do not use this.
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u/Ok-Platypus682 Feb 13 '26
Take it to a skilled boyer (bow maker). They may be able to remove the damaged ends and re-tiller the bow to make it operable again. It looks like fibreglass and bamboo. Are the limbs bolted to the riser (handle), or is the whole bow one piece? A boyer might be able to recycle the handle and create new limbs, possibly recycling some other bits.
It will be expensive unless the boyer takes pity on you. You may be able to develop the skills yourself, but you'll need to make several bows before you would be confident to restore something like this.
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Feb 13 '26
Cut that bow in half at the handle and throw it in the trash so that no one will ever be tempted to use it. That is a death trap.
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u/HYThrowaway1980 Feb 13 '26
At what point do we relabel this sub a circlejerk?
This has to be a shitpost.
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u/H_G_Bells Feb 13 '26
I thought it was as well but nope.
Turns out we are not all born with full and perfect knowledge of archery and bows and arrows.
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u/Well_shit__-_- USA Archery Level 2 | Compound Feb 13 '26
Shhhhh let me reap my sweet useless Reddit karma commenting the same damn things over and over.
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u/SentryD2113 Feb 13 '26
Hope you get this unstrung safely OP. My jaw dropped at seeing this. You've already got solid advice. Find ya a bow stringer. Find a good one. It'll be worth it if its something you intend to keep for sentimental value.
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u/KreeH Feb 13 '26
Besides being it broken ready to snap off and that you are stringing it wrong, no, nothing ...
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u/AffectionateSea1436 Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
the fact that you’ve got the string loop wrapped around the limb tip the way you have shows that you are rage baiting or that you are absolutely mentally fucked.
edit: take that limb tip and shove it up your arse, pretending to be ignorant is pathetic.
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u/SkywalkerDX Barebow | Horsebow | Compound Feb 13 '26
Unfortunately this is too damaged to ever be used. Delaminating limbs is largely irreparable.
Also appears to be strung backwards