For some reason, this is the third carbon fiber bow I’ve seen where the tip has simply sheared off and I ended up fitting a new tip. Most likely, the glue used at the factory isn’t adhering well to the stick. Replacing the tip is a fairly straightforward process, but it does require some care, especially when removing the old tip and shaping the new one so the bow head isn’t damaged. These are the steps I use to fit and finish a new tip before moving on to the rehair.
Carbon Fiber Bow Tip Replacement Steps
Assess the damage: Start with a carbon fiber bow where the tip has sheared off.
Remove the block: Drill a hole into the endgrain and carefully cut out the remaining block material.
Remove the old tip: Gently file off the remaining tip, taking care not to damage the bow head.
Select a replacement tip: Find a suitable tip that matches the size and shape needed.
Mark the outline: Trace the shape of the tip onto the blank to guide the fitting process.
Rough shape the tip: Grind off the excess material to get close to the final shape.
Attach a dowel: Fix a dowel to the tip so it can be tied on and glued securely in place.
Clean up squeeze-out: The next day, carefully remove any excess glue from the joint.
Protect the bow head: Wrap the head with tape to prevent accidental damage during shaping.
Bring the tip flush: Carefully hand-file the tip down until it is even with the taped surface.
Refine the edges: Using a sharp knife, scrape away excess material so the tip is flush with the sides of the head.
Shape the tip profile: Form the final shape of the tip, maintaining proper proportions.
Open the mortise: Using a sharp chisel, carefully rotate to create the hole.
Shape the mortise interior: Refine the inside so it is clean and properly sized to the existing mortise.
Adjust thickness: Slightly thin the tip to achieve the correct final thickness.
Rehair the bow: Complete the job by rehairing the bow.
