Carbon backing ? Or not? I’m curious now that I see it in more and more bows, Does it matter to you? Thanks Guys.

Doesn't matter to me. But I wouldnt rule it out

I think sometimes things become a fad and become more than what they are. But that can be said about a lot of things

I don’t know, it I suspect it kind of depends what it’s backing. I think a lot of competition limbs are carbon/foam lay-up, which makes sense in terms of weight & consistency.... but lacks Soul....

No.

Backing adds weight. Carbon construction is a different story.

I have sixty year old, fiberglass backed bows that are still shooting and can do everything I need. Now maybe carbon is a great backing, but time will tell if it will work anywhere near as good as the older stuff. I wouldn't order it in a new bow, but that's because I don't think I need it.

You gotta admit, George, "Triple Carbon" just sounds cool.

If it's a recurve I'd say "yes." My Bushmen long-curve (BIG HOOKS) has a lot of carbon in it. The limbs are soooo skinny on that bow. That said the bowyer uses carbon - not necessarily/directly for speed but for torsional resistance. You can either gain torsional resistance by width or by material. If you get there with width - you're losing performance. Skinny limbs are faster (all else being equal).

I can barely twist the hooks of my Bushmen... even when I really put force into it. Any of my glass bows all bend (twist) easily.

I'm not sure what carbon gets you in a longbow. Tiny bit of performance and a different sound.

The above is all my opinion... I don't build bows for a living.

I am no expert but I have talked to several respected Boyers and the consensus among them seems to be that carbon is not necessarily required but many are adding it as an option due to customer requests.

That being said the chance of twisting a limb that is carbon backed (with the correct carbon as all carbon is not created equal) is almost non existent and a very slight speed performance can be gained but very slight at best.

Another interesting thing shared by a Boyer who did extensive testing found that double carbon actually created a slightly faster bow than the same exact bow in a triple carbon design. Good Day

Some bowyers say it's necessary for their supercurve designs to function properly. Other than that it's probably just another option and a selling point. PD, yes triple carbon does kinda sound kool.

I like the look of wood and clear glass, but carbon can up performance if used correctly.

Woven CF has it's structural advantages and some of the more extreme limb profiles wouldn't be possible without it however?...

Besides me no longer being into extreme limb profiles?...woven CF changes the tone (yes "sound") of the shot note that's simply not as appealing to me as wood/boo/glass bows.

I by far prefer a deep rich "THOOMP" over..."tink!" LOL!

YMMV ;)

Apparently it does not matter to me as none of my bows have ever had it.

But then I get by without carbon shafts as well. ;-)

Just an old goats' opinion, but are we just going too far? How much will carbon REALLY help. I recently got a bamboo backed and bellied R/D primitive bow(James Parker) that out shoots my glass bows.

My new uukha limbs are nice and quiet, really no downside except cost, or you don’t like the looks.

I have a carbon foam Fivics bow that shoots fine, but my vintage bows do too. To me it is just another personal choice.

My opinion for most bow designs, carbon in the layup brings something to the party. Carbon backing adds cost and is just along for the ride.

I should have wrote any carbon. I’m trying to figure out where to draw the line I guess. Trying to keep it simple. I know less about carbon than I do brain surgery. I might be buying a new bow and I don’t want to be thinking “Dang, I should have bought the triple carbon elk thumper “ Thanks Guys

Chain, do some research on past posts on here. Read what Larry Hatfield says about carbon in bow building. How it does work, and how it doesn't.

You'll find there is quite a bit of misinformation related to the material and how to use it.

Probably not anyone around who was involved in more research of the benefits of carbon when it came on the scene than he was.

My oldest son has a Triple carbon Elkheart,while it does look cool and he loves it. I'm more of a wood fan. Like seeing the grain in wood on bows .

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