Question about shipping bows

[Arrowind]

how do you guys suggest shipping a recurve? If it won't fit in a 4" PVC pipe what do you do?

the biggest concern of course is it arriving in tact the second and I'll admit important concern for me is cost....

[Badger]

I buy those cheap 1X4's and build a frame line the bow with bubble wrap and staple or nail cardboard to the front and back.

[Arrowind]

Interesting.  have you had much trouble with bows getting damaged using that method?
I was half way thinking of building a box like that using 1/4" plywood... Just seems like it would get heavy real quick..

[bubby]

I just shipped one in a carpet tube

[bushboy]

I shipped one made from old ranch board that I got from the local dump and 2x2 frame..worked fine.

[dwardo]

Fishing shops sell long black pvc capped tubes over here which are perfect.  They are strong and light weight. Cheap too.
If you have some pretty big hooks you can mod them. Otherwise I have used foam insulation and cut out the bow shape.

[nathan elliot]

I'm like Badger, I build a wooden crate for mine out of wood. That said it is no guarantee that some Muppet from the shipping company wont see "bow" on the shipping label and take it out and break it - happened to me twice now  

[Pat B]

I received my TG bow(R/D) in a box similar to what Badger mentioned but with luan plywood front and back.
Ship it USPS, PRIORITY MAIL. It will get to its location in 2 or 3 days with fewer postal handlers touching it. It will come with $50 insurance. Don't get more insurance unless you can prove the added value to the PO, which is almost impossible with a selfbow.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I use either two arrow boxes or two gun boxes joined at center to ship curves. I wrap the whole bow in shrink wrap first.

[Arrowind]

Thanks for all the information guys.  I really appreciate it.   

[zenart]

The recurves I have had shipped to me were all wrapped quite well in bubble wrap and tape then inserted in simple cardboard box and stuffed with peanuts and/or newspaper wads.

If you can't find a long enough and narrow enough box, you can make one cutting panels joined together with usual shipping tape. You can even double up on the thickness.

All the bows I have ever received came intact without issue of any kind shipped in this manner.  And, you can always get extra insurance. Doesn't replace the bow but can give a little peace of mind.

[mikekeswick]

Believe it or not it's not really the box that is the issue. I've had two bows quite clearly taken out of their packaging and both were snapped backwards. Belly broken back intact.......figure that one out?!?

[Hrothgar]

Plastic gutter down-spout works well too. Might be tough to get a recurve into it though.

[Marc St Louis]

Carpet tubes for straight bows and I make my own out of heavy duty cardboard, which I re-enforce with thin plywood on the inside, for recurves and RD bows.  The ends are capped with wood that is stapled in really well, discourages tampering when you have to remove a dozen staples to get the end cap off.  Finally I tape the ends up with packing tape, doubles the fun of taking the ends off  .