Does Heat Affect Longevity/Durability Of A Bow?

[rossfactor]

Whats the useful life span of a "normal bow?"

I've shot heat treated bows that were 7-8 years old, not very old, but they shot fine.

Gabe

[autologus]

I wouldn't use changing cell structure as a guarantee of damage. Just  drying wood changes the cell structure.

Yeah I never said that it damaged the wood, just altered its characteristics.  As far as causing adverse affects that was more technique dependent rather than saying heating wood damages it or causes it to act adversely.

Grady

[dragonman]

Life has taught me that nothing is for free in this world.  Everything is a trade off..... so applying this theory would suggest that heat treating would shorten the life of a bow...but perhaps the life of a bow is so long , that if it loses a few years, its of no real consequence.
If you heat treat a bow too much it will definately reduce its life...so its all a question of how much heat you use......IMHO

[PatM]

I wouldn't use changing cell structure as a guarantee of damage. Just  drying wood changes the cell structure.

Yeah I never said that it damaged the wood, just altered its characteristics.  As far as causing adverse affects that was more technique dependent rather than saying heating wood damages it or causes it to act adversely.

Grady

That was in reference to what crooketarrow said, not your post.