I'm just getting back into traditional archery after 5 years off due to three young children at home. I just got a nice Palmer TD recurve from a good fella on this site.
If I remember right, Norm Johnson from Blacktail bows used to recommend applying a thin coat of silicone grease between the riser and limbs before putting the bow together. I don't remember why.
Should I put something between the limbs and riser? If so, what and why?
Some bowyers use a thin gasket between the two. Or just rub on a coat of string wax.
Norm recommends string wax between the limbs and riser.
Danny
Sometimes the bow will make a popping sound when you draw it back. I've been told it's caused from the finish's on the two surfaces rubbing together. A friend of mine puts a piece of wax paper between his. I made a t/d recurve a while back and I put some of that black mole-skin type stuff 3rivers sells. It worked fine.
Moving parts need lube. String wax or vaseline work well.
String wax, when it's cold, will often make cracking sounds, particularly when you string and unstring the bow. Sounds scary. Recently sent a Morrison riser in for refinishing and Bob put thin cork on the interface. Has compressed quite a bit, but seems to be working fine.
Sometimes the limb bolt bushings will not be perfect either (no fault of the bowyer) and a touch of wax there will make them silent.
Thanks for all the information! I'm trying string wax right now. But I'm going to look for cork or maybe I'll try wax paper when it starts getting cold here in a few months.