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Twisted Limbs - Safe or Unsafe

2.5K views 14 replies 7 participants last post by  theminoritydude  
#1 ·
I acquired my first set of limbs (SF Axiom Plus Medium Limbs 26# @ 66) on March 28 of this year. I noticed on May 31 that my limbs are twisting and I sometimes hear a small creaking noise when drawing back. I've been twisting the bottom limbs back a little so that the string sits in the groove like it should. Leaning my bow against a quiver tube at the range between ends is probably what did it. :embara: I thought that was okay since I wasn't storing the bow like that overnight. My bow is always strung and hasn't been exposed to 3-digit heat. When I drive places, it's not in the car for long. I try to take care of my equipment, but I must not have been doing a good job!

There's no doubt that they need to be replaced, but I just want to know if my limbs are safe to shoot or not?
Did I wear through the 'life expectancy' of these limbs or just mistreated them?
 
#4 ·
if brace height and tiller are not changing, that much twist is probably not worth worrying about. I doubt leaning it against a quiver is enough to cause that twist by the way. You will probably be moving on from those limbs before having to try to get that bow on plane.

I lean my cheap rolan bow against just about everything and while it has a twisted limb, the twist has been the same and stable for over 15 years. Including a broken and repaired limb end. and it has much more twist than yours also.

DC
 
#6 ·
Hmm I didn't check brace height and tiller - will do that at the range today. I planned to crank in the limbs this week, adjust to that, then move up limbs soon. I don't know if tightening the limbs will make the twist worse? I'm fine as long as the limb isn't going to blow up on me...
 
#13 ·
At that poundage it's not that dangerous. A lot of club bows we have are really violently twisted, they are being stored in quite humid storage at range during summer and dry indoor storage during winter, so they often warp at some point. Some of those bows have the same Axiom limbs.

Only worry would be if the limb tip laminate starts cracking or flaking, I've seen some of those go very quickly from twisted limbs and they tend to explode quite spectacularly. I've seen dozens of limbs fail/explode during my time being involved with archery, yet to see any injuries caused by it, rarely more than a slap of the string to wrist, but that can happen with a poor shot or poor form too.
 
#14 ·
i -

What dchan said.
Limb twists are highly over rated.
If there's no danger of the string popping off the limb and the twist isn't progressing, probably nothing to worry about.

Now, if they were the older Axiom limbs, I'm might be more concerned.

Viper1 out.