I am sure that everyone who makes bows or calls themselves a bowyer has broken many bows. I am on my second bow now and just assumed that the first would break but so far so good.

If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin'! Jawge

Hey, man, check this thread out that I posted.  It'll make you feel better.  I was really pushing the limits on this one, and paid for it in the end!  But, that's learnin'!

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002260

I broke my second bow about a month ago,a sassafras I fell in love with while making.That was a tough one to get over.Just gotta keep at it!Good luck to ya!

Hey guys I new to this bowyer stuff and I've already busted to board bows.Both of 'em were in the final stage s of tillering!! Both went bang right in front of me.The first one scared the crap outta me!!lol

Awww man 4est, I remember that post from about a month or two back, it broke my heart. That bow breaking was truly a tragedy.

This thread has sapped what little optimism I had about my first attempt being functional.  Although my hickory bow is coming along fairly well, I have my concerns.

It's only wood. If it breaks start another. We have all broke bows. My last had 1000 shots through it and was gonna be my hunting bow for this past season...until I got stupid and pulled it an inch too far late one night. You'd think after 25+ years I would have learned!  d;^)