IBM,

Yes, I had a carbon arrow explode on me last year..as I was releasing the bowstring. The actual cause though is uncertain....ie, whether it was the cable that snapped thus breaking the arrow or whether the carbon arrow actually failed. The folks at Hoyt did an analysis of string/cable as well as the cable guard. Their take was that the carbon arrow broke, thus causing the cable damage...but I am not so sure. Regardless, that is the only time I have had that happen in all the years I have shot carbons and I was in no way injured...other than my pride...<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>.

On the other hand, I have seen plenty of ICS carbons from all of the big companies that were bent and not broken. One or more of the internal layers of carbon broke. This was not visible by bending the arrow to check for splintering but it was visible by looking down the full length of the arrow from the nock end.

I have been experimenting with Beman ICS hunters for the last month or two and haven't run into that problem with them yet. However, I am sure that I will over time as I believe the problem to be because of degradation of the carbon fiber over time with use.

My opinion...if you shoot alot of ICS carbons then I think it is smart to replace them every year.