I know who said that
I reckon that test would have a lot of people buying new bows way too soon. A bow never really needs to be retired unless its damaged, as all bows will get a set. A ten year old bow is pretty damn good. My first bow went through two other people before I got it and I know it was mishandled by over pulling before I inherited it. It eventually shattered into a number of pieces and was dry as a bone inside. My second bow lost a lot of poundage but is still suitable for short distances. My current distance bow is only a few months old but already has a slight set, but I'm not bothered by that at all. If you constantly bend a piece of any wood it will get a set. Watch out, Del will reply any-time and shoot me down
I may be getting missquoted again.
I think I was taliking about new (but shot in) bows when I said, I consider 1 finger great 2 good and much more than that not so clever. You have to bear in mind two of my favourite bows have plenty of set (maybe 4 fingers).
If you have to ask 'is my bow ready for retirement?' the answer is no!
You'll know when it's shot out, it will have all the performance of a Christmas pudding on a stick, or the top limb will whack you on the head with a noise that sounds like 'getanewbow'
All the above is just my opinion of course and based on selfbows getting light use field shooting.
Longbows being made of natural materials are all different. The other day, I saw a very nice bow (tri lam) from a reputable maker, just one month old in pristine condition but with a chrysal across the belly! There was no obvious defect in the vicinity, just the hint of a tiny swirl in the grain, I suggested the guy photograph it and contact the bowyer, as this would probably lead to set.
The short answer is , there's no short answer!
Del
Alternatively you could be like some other bow styles and get a new bow when a more expensive one in a different colour becomes available, or a 'marketting man' tells you to :stirthepo: