An interesting question

[vvv1983]

What is the approximate lifespan of a bow？

[Tajue17]

My oldest laminated bow is 70yrs and its pretty mint.  My oldest selfbow is 25yrs old and still
Looks and Shoots exactly the same as the day joe mattingly made it.   I have no doubt as long as i dont abuse the bows,  using and storing them correctly they will double their ages and exceed that no problem. 

[Tomas Stieber]

I have a Black Hunter long bow with #35 limbs go on a year, I liked it so well I ordered #45 limbs, they lasted 36 hours.

[The Whittler]

It's like our life span, it may be written down somewhere but who knows. 

[Kirkll]

I'll counter with "What's the approximate life span of a grass rake?" Or possibly a dining room set?.....  there is no correct answer .... 

[McDave]

I think there is a definite life span of a self bow, assuming it is used frequently, as the limbs will eventually take on a string follow shape and lose power.  I would guess 5-10 years if it is used 3-4 times a week.

The same doesn't apply to a laminated bow backed with fiberglass.  They just seem to keep on goin' until they get damaged or break.  I have a '59 Kodiak that still shoots just fine, granted not 3-4 times a week.

[supernaut]

This is a 1957 Blackhwak Hornet. 53# @ 28".


I refinished it a couple years ago and it shoots great.


I guess it'll shoot until it doesn't anymore and I hope that is a long time yet. Bows were made to shoot so I shoot them.   

[Pine]

I had two longbows that lasted just a couple weeks and had a catastrophic delamination.
I have a Bear Cub made in the mid 1950s that is still going strong. 

[Wudstix]

Have a custom Big River recurve that was new in '96.  Have a Damon Howatt HTD that I'm not sure when it was made, but it is going strong.

[GCook]

With me it varies.  I'm hard on my body, my equipment and those around me. 
YMMV

[MnFn]

I have a recurve with woven glass that my father traded for in about 1962 and it was used then, so probably made in the 1950's.
It was made by Radtke Archery out in California quite likely by Tim Miegs when he worked there.I had a string made for it and did shoot it a couple of times.

It is 56# and about 65" long.

[arrow30]

 i just through a mesa ll longbow in the firepit the other day, maybe had it a year.
heard /felt a tick when drawing it and seen a tiny crack at lamination, layed it on the boat and went back to mounting a turkey. came back a couple hrs later to look at it. totally seperated at the fade, so i figure . whoever builds it and how much glue they use. was gonna be my turkey bow.
https://www.3riversarchery.com/mesa-ii-longbow.html

[durp]

My brother and I had matching recurves from the late 60's...mine got used hard and lasted for bout 15 years, his got little use and it out lasted him...it's hanging on my rack waiting just incase his grand sons decide they want it...if not my great grand sons can use it...I just can't bring myself to get rid of it 

[MarlinMark]

What would be really interesting to know is how long did the average Commanche bow last?  How long did it take them to make a bow?