Characteristics of your prefered bow?

[Kegan]

I'm slowly narrowing in on the style of bow and handle that suits me best. I just wondered, thinking it would be a fun thread, beyond quietness and durbaility, what qualitites do you look for when you build a bow? It seems that stability, ease in arrow tuning, and fast cast are what I'm looking for most when I build my bows, with good looks usually heavily on my mind as well.

How about you? What do you "build into" your bows?

[whitewoodshunter]

Lately I've been getting into putting reflex/deflex into my bows.I really like the speed and cast I get when I do this. I also like a longer bow 65-68 inches long. They seem to perform better for me, and be easier to tune and get to shoot quiet.I also like a bow that is physically light weight and about 50-55 lb draw a 26.   But thats just me.

[NTProf]

I haven't been building bows for long but, I prefer longer bows - 68-70"- D-styled, and I like the handle narrowed to about 1 1/4." This seems to shoot best for me.

[salad days]

I love a bow that feels lite in your hand and looks good. I also haven't been building for long but I seem to be building shorter and shorter every time. Quiet is also on the list.

[ricktrojanowski]

1.Free/Cheap
2.Light in the hand(like vine maple)
3.Wood that can handle being made into a short bow(less than 60'')

[koan]

After tryin several different styles I still gotta go with my short, bend in the handle bow. The downside to this is my arrows gotta be matched well. Second choice would be a bulbous handle with a little reflex in the tips and about 60" long....Brian

[Pappy]

I like them about 60/62 Flat bow 4 1/2 in. handle,speed is OK but the main thing is smooth,no stacking.In the low 50's. Somewhat center shot also helps. I like them with hooks or bends in the
handle to help with this,without having to cut into the handle.
   Pappy

[armymedic.2]

good looking and nice to my hand when i shoot it are the most important to me.  i ussually shoot heavy telephone poles so as long as it is halfway fast i have plenty when it gets there.  would like to shorten em up a bit, since 68" is my shortest so far.  can't complain though, they shoot good.

[hawkbow]

I would be happy to build one that stayed together but for a hunting bow i like them shorter 58 or 60 inches with a strong pull 60 plus ... the important thing for me is little hand shock smooth shooting...Hawk

[Ryano]

Well it seems that my favorite type of bow to hunt with is about 64" ntn and pulls about 50 # @ 27" with a narrow rounded semi-locator type grip and arrow shelf. It needs to shoot 550 grain arrows flat out to about 20 yards and have absolutley no handshock. When it comes to target shooting I like to fool around with about any and every design and wood out there.

[David Long]

As I build each bow, they are getting shorter, lighter, and all around smaller while retaining draw weight. I really love these little things. They are looking like toys and more like the NA bows I have read about and examined. I held a couple Nez Perce bows a few months ago: one is a replica made by Yellow Wolf (for McWorter) of the weapon he lost in battle at Whitebird. Amazing little thing. I love the freedom of roaming in search of game with a very light bow. Just feels good to be in the hills carrying one. Dave

[Pat B]

Light in hand and well balanced for me. I like a self bow, 60" to 64" long, symmetrically laid out flatbow, 55#@26", bulbous handle and a floppy rest. Most of my arrows are hardwood shoots or cane around 600gr with stone or trade points...although I also use Grizzly or Wensel Woodsman broadheads.

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't actually have a perfect bow but I'm working on it. Jawge

[El Destructo]

                                                         One that Bends....and don't Break!!!!

                                                                                 

[sailordad]

one that bends without breaking,and kills every animal i loose an arrow towards