jeffh

I have recently purchased an older model Bear Kodiak Hunter. The bow is 50# and is 58" long. The limbs have begun to warp. Can this be fixed? If so, can anyone recommend a company or person who can restore the bow to hunting condition. I appreciate any comments.

Arthur P

If the limbs are twisted, that is something you can fix yourself. Some bows are beyond help and nothing can save them, but most can be straightened out.

Start out by stringing the bow up and twisting the limb in the opposite direction of it's twist. Go a little past center then let it go back to resting position. Keep at it until the string rides down the center of the limb like it's supposed to. Do the same to the other limb. Draw the bow and let down slowly. If the string stays centered in each limb, you're done. If not, you've got more straightening to do.

I like to hang the bow out in the hot sun for an hour after I get it straightened out to help reset the glue in the limbs. Some disagree with me on that though.

If you can't get the limbs straight like that, keep the bow unstrung and straighten the twists with heat. Some like using a hair dryer to heat the limb, I like running the limbs under hot water in the bath tub. Whichever... Just be careful with the dry heat or you can delaminate the limb.

Heat the limb, then twist it opposite the way it's twisted. Repeat until the limbs look straight. Then, string it up and check for how the string lays on the limbs. If it's still twisted a bit, then you can bump it into alignment using the first method I told you about.

Lilhunter

realize it might be warping due to your stringing method.....always always always use a bowstringer!

Great post Art!

LBR

Not often that I disagree with Arthur (actually don't recall ever disagreeing with him before now), but I'd have to recommend straightening while unstrung, especially if you aren't familiar with it. You can "flip" the bow if you aren't very careful (been there, done that). If that happens, you can get hurt and may ruin the bow. What I mean here is if you go a hair too far the string can jump out one side of the groove and twist the limb around in a big way. Bad, bad, bad news when that happens. Otherwise, I agree with 99% of what he said. Dunno about the sun thing--never tried it.

Chad

Arthur P

[&:]

Maybe I should have been more clear... If the limbs are twisted just a little bit, then you can 'bump' the twist out of them with the bow strung. If they're badly twisted and you've really gotta torque the snot out of 'em, then definitely do that with the bow unstrung.

LBR

Nawwwww.....you were clear--I've flipped 'em with what I thought was just a bump--didn't get hurt, didn't ruin the bow, but scared the crap outta me! Guess I bumped too hard! lol

Chad