Handles: Solid vs. Laminated vs. Phenolic/Micarta - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

SJP51 · 05-18-2021, 06:46 PM

With wood, strength depends on species of wood and other factors. But all else being equal: Which is the strongest and least prone to cracking? Solid wood, laminated wood, or phenolic/micarta?

Bisch · 05-18-2021, 06:52 PM

I’m no bowyer, but I would think phenolic would be the strongest. It would also be much heavier mass weight.

Bisch

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Bisch · 05-18-2021, 06:53 PM

Also, you are getting yourself all worked up because you had a riser crack. I’ve owned a LOT of bows and only had one riser break out of all of them.

Bisch

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SJP51 · 05-18-2021, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bisch

Also, you are getting yourself all worked up because you had a riser crack. I’ve owned a LOT of bows and only had one riser break out of all of them.

Bisch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That's it alright. Gonna mess-up a couple of 300+ 3D scores this weekend over at Chester!

The mass weight is a concern, but I'm not in the Senior/Geezer class just yet. I think I can tote an extra 1# if I need to. And....it might steady me down some from all those left hooks I was shooting at Cowtown.

Randy Madden · 05-18-2021, 11:10 PM

When looking for strength and mass weight G10 is your friend!
Stronger, heavier, and less flex than phenolic

Draco · 05-18-2021, 11:19 PM

Micarta and rucarta in the handle makes for less hand shock, a quieter shooting bow. More weight in the handle will make you shoot better as it is steadier and you will have less hand torque. I don't want the whole handle to be micarta as it would be too heavy but a good portion of it would be a good thing to me.

CEpperson · 05-19-2021, 07:58 AM

I’ve settled on solid micarta risers and won’t look back. Having a pretty bow is nice and that’s what some put at the top of their preferences but for me a bow with more mass weight is what I want. As far as structural integrity obviously the micarta/phenolic or G10 will be the strongest, but like Bisch said above, I really think you’re in your head over the wood risers. I’ve shot a lot of wood riser bows and treated them like a tool (I’m rough on bows) and never had a riser issue. It happens but it’s not the norm.

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Randy Madden · 05-19-2021, 03:07 PM

You don’t have to go all g10 or phenolic for mass weight.
I incorporate a lot of nice woods into my risers with g10 for added strength, mass weight, and for looks.

Randy Madden · 05-19-2021, 03:10 PM

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DRT · 05-19-2021, 04:03 PM

G10 may be good stuff. And iblikebit in there. But a good bowyer hides it. A great bowyer hides it well.

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DRT · 05-19-2021, 06:50 PM

See a great bowyer makes it strong, but purty. Solid, shock free and a work of art.

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SJP51 · 05-19-2021, 09:31 PM

DRT: Is that one of your PrimalTech bows? Does that riser have Micarta hidden in there somewhere?

DRT · 05-19-2021, 09:50 PM

I think it's G10. But yes, it is my PT. But then again I can't tell you what the veneers and wood ar. One thing Randy and I discussed was I didn't like the mix look or the white lines. He did a heck of a job.
I had always said I wouldn't buy a pretty bow. Sometimes I just like to look at it hanging on the rack between ends.

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pipcount · 05-31-2021, 09:27 AM

I have quite a few old bows with Micarta, and even one that is solid micarta. Personally I love the look of the Black Micarta if done well / complements the woods and inlays used in riser. I dont like the solid micarta- too bland. A heavy riser makes a noticeable difference in how bow shoots for me. Micarta is just "resin and fiber"- fiber can be canvas or linen or fiberglass or carbon fiber/kevlar/etc.. in general they are all going to be stronger than wood, and sometimes dramatically stronger.

Next up are the laminated woods, particularly the ones that are impregnated with resin.. used to be called futurewood. I have a Rossing Riser from this type of material. He made it "big".. almost too heavy for me to shoot, but darn is it stable. These can also be quite pretty... mine is gorgeous, and it is actually hard to tell it is a laminated riser without really checking.

After that come natural woods.

I like the weight of the micarta and futurewood laminates. It cannot hurt for strength either. Keep in mind that a $5 sling will do more for accuracy than any expensive / heavy riser, and a lighter bow can be a blessing at the end of a long day.

05-18-2021, 06:46 PM	#1
SJP51 Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Nacogdoches Hunt In: Bryan and San Augustine	Handles: Solid vs. Laminated vs. Phenolic/Micarta With wood, strength depends on species of wood and other factors. But all else being equal: Which is the strongest and least prone to cracking? Solid wood, laminated wood, or phenolic/micarta?

05-19-2021, 06:50 PM	#11
DRT Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Tx Hunt In: Jones County and Missouri	See a great bowyer makes it strong, but purty. Solid, shock free and a work of art. Thanx Randy! Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

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05-18-2021, 06:52 PM	#2
Bisch Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sonora, Tx	I’m no bowyer, but I would think phenolic would be the strongest. It would also be much heavier mass weight. Bisch Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

05-18-2021, 06:53 PM	#3
Bisch Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sonora, Tx	Also, you are getting yourself all worked up because you had a riser crack. I’ve owned a LOT of bows and only had one riser break out of all of them. Bisch Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

05-18-2021, 11:10 PM	#5
Randy Madden Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: East Texas Hunt In: Everywhere	When looking for strength and mass weight G10 is your friend! Stronger, heavier, and less flex than phenolic

05-18-2021, 11:19 PM	#6
Draco Pope & Young Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Georgetown, Texas	Micarta and rucarta in the handle makes for less hand shock, a quieter shooting bow. More weight in the handle will make you shoot better as it is steadier and you will have less hand torque. I don't want the whole handle to be micarta as it would be too heavy but a good portion of it would be a good thing to me.

05-19-2021, 07:58 AM	#7
CEpperson Eight Point Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chandler Hunt In: Henderson Co, Tx & Kansas	I’ve settled on solid micarta risers and won’t look back. Having a pretty bow is nice and that’s what some put at the top of their preferences but for me a bow with more mass weight is what I want. As far as structural integrity obviously the micarta/phenolic or G10 will be the strongest, but like Bisch said above, I really think you’re in your head over the wood risers. I’ve shot a lot of wood riser bows and treated them like a tool (I’m rough on bows) and never had a riser issue. It happens but it’s not the norm. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-19-2021, 03:07 PM	#8
Randy Madden Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: East Texas Hunt In: Everywhere	You don’t have to go all g10 or phenolic for mass weight. I incorporate a lot of nice woods into my risers with g10 for added strength, mass weight, and for looks.

05-19-2021, 03:10 PM	#9
Randy Madden Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: East Texas Hunt In: Everywhere	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05-19-2021, 04:03 PM	#10
DRT Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Tx Hunt In: Jones County and Missouri	G10 may be good stuff. And iblikebit in there. But a good bowyer hides it. A great bowyer hides it well. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

05-19-2021, 09:31 PM	#12
SJP51 Ten Point Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Nacogdoches Hunt In: Bryan and San Augustine	DRT: Is that one of your PrimalTech bows? Does that riser have Micarta hidden in there somewhere?

05-19-2021, 09:50 PM	#13
DRT Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Tx Hunt In: Jones County and Missouri	I think it's G10. But yes, it is my PT. But then again I can't tell you what the veneers and wood ar. One thing Randy and I discussed was I didn't like the mix look or the white lines. He did a heck of a job. I had always said I wouldn't buy a pretty bow. Sometimes I just like to look at it hanging on the rack between ends. Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

05-31-2021, 09:27 AM	#14
pipcount Nubbin' Buck Join Date: Jan 2019	I have quite a few old bows with Micarta, and even one that is solid micarta. Personally I love the look of the Black Micarta if done well / complements the woods and inlays used in riser. I dont like the solid micarta- too bland. A heavy riser makes a noticeable difference in how bow shoots for me. Micarta is just "resin and fiber"- fiber can be canvas or linen or fiberglass or carbon fiber/kevlar/etc.. in general they are all going to be stronger than wood, and sometimes dramatically stronger. Next up are the laminated woods, particularly the ones that are impregnated with resin.. used to be called futurewood. I have a Rossing Riser from this type of material. He made it "big".. almost too heavy for me to shoot, but darn is it stable. These can also be quite pretty... mine is gorgeous, and it is actually hard to tell it is a laminated riser without really checking. After that come natural woods. I like the weight of the micarta and futurewood laminates. It cannot hurt for strength either. Keep in mind that a $5 sling will do more for accuracy than any expensive / heavy riser, and a lighter bow can be a blessing at the end of a long day.