I mentioned my Kramer Big 5 on the Rack Queen post, and I had several guys message me asking for details and photos of the bow after it was sent to a guy for a weight reduction. I’m not sure anything can be done to salvage this bow, but I appreciate the offers to help. Basically it won’t stay strung. It violently twists soon after stringing, and seems pretty dangerous to handle after it thumped my hand. I’m no bowyer, but it looks the limbs were sanded too narrow to be be stable. I don’t know the width before the work started, but they are less than a 1/2“ now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, mg
This guy who performed this crime against humanity owes you a new longbow. Can’t believe what a hack job this was. My condolences.
This guy who performed this crime against humanity owes you a new longbow. Can’t believe what a hack job this was. My condolences.
Well, I got some bad news last night from Craig Ekin. The Kramer is beyond repair. He said the limbs had been sanded so narrow that the bow is permanently unstable. I guess it will be a rack queen after all…
Not just a simple weight reduction Tom, its more like a rebuild. An expert's job for sure.
No expert here but 5#’s is pushing the limit according to a couple bowyers I contactEd about a weight reduction on my LB. I know there’s a guy on another site that has done lots of weight reduction and according to his customers a fantastic job even with reductions exceeding 5#. I saw a 21st Century bow that was reduced by the orginal owners that was about 7#’s and the bow shot fine but just didn’t look right anymore.
Based on past experience, of the two mentioned I'd definately have Craig E. do any additional work if that's the eventual plan.
Hey guys, thanks for the input and condolences. To clarify some of the details, the bow was in fine shape when I sent it off—no twisted limbs or problems that I know of. It just became too heavy for me after a shoulder injury, and I wanted about 5lbs removed. It was not a bowyer that worked on it, but it was a guy that came highly recommended (Not Rich Lopez, for the record). I’ve spoken to happy customers and I’ve seen examples of his work, so I thought my decision was well vetted. At first I chalked it up to bad luck, things happen, and it’s an old bow and maybe it’s days were limited. He was nice guy that felt bad about what happened so I didn’t want blame him. But when I look at it closely, your comments are correct…it was definitely an aggressive sanding and filing job. Now the bow twists violently to the side when it is strung, but the limbs appear to be strait when it’s unbraced. I’m going to call the bowyers you recommended to get their input on whether this bow is repairable or not. I’ll give an update if I get any good news out of this. Happy hunting and good luck to everyone this fall.
If you are thinking about getting it fix, contact Rich Lopez "Droptine", or Craig Ekin to get an estimate along with their recommendation. They might want to see a few pictures. You said it doesn't stay strung, Is the string loop to big, for the nock, or does the limb twist to on side causing it to unstring? Don't get hurt. If the loop is too big, use some serving to shorten the loop. Take pictures unstrung and strung, send him from your mobile phone. The can enlarge them when the get them.
Hard to tell from the pics (they can be deceiving when it comes to details) but it does appear that at some point an overzealous rat-tail file attacked the string groves and heavy sandpaper narrowed the limbs considerably (and unevenly) below the limb tips. In any case the 'repairer' likely didn't know what they were doing. Still, it's hard to make the limbs twist or noodle on these bows even with oversanding and crooked string grooves. As mentioned, it might still be fixable if shortened by several inches (at least) and with new grooves/tip overlays installed. If it's a favorite you might have a skilled bowyer (like Craig Ekin) have a look to see what might be doable. What a shame.
Hope it works out for you MG.
my confidence would be gone in that
would cut it in 1/2 and order a new one to fit the weight I wanted
geezee!
Wow.. I have to agree with Jerry and Rick. Send it to a true professional.
Ouch! Were the limbs twisted? I'm probably not the only inquiring mind, and I understand if you don't necessarily want to disclose the name, but I'm assuming you didn't send this to a bowyer for weight reduction.
As Orion said, it can probably be repaired but it needs to go to a true professional. I don't see how serviceability can be restored without shortening the bow some.
Sent you a pm. It's obvious that he messed with (and butchered) the string grooves to try to get it back into alignment. It may be salvageable, with some shortening, but will take some work by someone who knows what he's doing.