Thumb Release vs Carbon Riser

[Netherman]

Guess I'm that guy who sends his thumb release for a ride... After the CSI analysis I think one of the finger grooves slammed into the riser and put a 1/4" dent in it. I went to two hoyt dealers and got mixed answers. One said shoot it and if it bugs you put some tape over it. The other said they sent one with similar damage back to hoyt and they refused to send it back claiming it was unsafe. Second dealer quoted me $1000 for a new riser.

I'm curious to get more opinions from guys with similar experiences and where they ended up. I'm leaning towards filling it with a carbon compatible epoxy and maybe figuring out some sort of external wrap/support. full disclosure I've already shot it a few times with safety glasses (apparently eyes are the only thing of value on my face) and it shot normally without any weird feelings or sounds.

 

[Netherman]

Pictures for reference

 

[htlt_surfboards]

I can’t speak for safety on a bow at all so do at your own risk but i work with a lot of carbon and fiberglass in another industry. IF i was going to try to DIY fix that i would fill and sand flush. Then wrap that area going a few inches above and below in new carbon cloth and epoxy that. Look to the boat of surfboard industry for supplies.

 

[chasewild]

Ya, I like @htlt_surfboards approach. Don't worry about buying a new one. But maybe buy a new thumb release with a strap or a lanyard.

 

[OR Archer]

We had this happen with a customer. After replacing his riser my boss rebuilt the busted riser and shot it. No repair work was done to the damaged area which was a lot worse than that. It was a full piece missing. It held together and shot fine. That being said I think that could be touched up and still be fully functional and safe.

 

[Netherman]

Thanks for the recommendation on surf board supplies, I never would have looked at that for carbon repairs.

Agree on the lanyard, but honestly part of the reason for the switch to a thumb was to get rid something hanging on my wrist 24/7. Western hunting it lives in the "bonus" pocket on a kifaru rangefinder pouch or attached to my string in treestand setups.

Everything happened so fast, but I think what happened was that I was trying to talk to my son while at full draw, as my focus shifted I started to creep forward, as I came out of the valley the increase in draw weight startled me, working around powertools I think my instinct was to "get away" from the danger so I dumped both hands and sent the release for a ride.

I think my remedial action will be: either shooting my bow with 100% focus or letting down to address whatever else is going on. I don't want to deal with the lanyard in hunting situations so not sure I want to have it during practice.

 

[Trial153]

I would fix it it with some epoxy and forget it

 

[meta_gabbro]

Depending on how confident you're feeling about doing your own work, might be worth reaching out to local bike shops and see if they can recommend any carbon repair services in the area. Have seen some real solid patch jobs on carbon frames and they take a lot more abuse than a riser should.

 

[Meshnasty]

I went through a of phase of my thumb release slipping out of my hands. The only way I fixed it was to just shoot my hinge.

I went at least 5-6 years without incident then had it happen at least three times in a short period of time. It would happen at full draw as I was executing my shot and it would just fly out of my hand. I always thought it was from my release hand being too relaxed but I can’t be sure. All of that damn near gave me target panic again though and I won’t shoot it anymore. I felt dumber every time it happened too.

Not much help but food for thought after you figure out how to fix your bow.