BEND THROUGH THE HANDLE BOWS(??)

[tdog]

How do bend through the handle bows shoot/perform as compared to a non-bending handle bow like a pyramid style? I have never built a bendy handle bow, but I really like the full draw curves - especially with flipped/recurved tips. They look like they would draw smoothly, but do they have more hand shock? Also, do you want the handle to bend in an arc to match the limbs, or does it only bend slightly?

Pics would be much appreciated also. I can learn much better with visual aids.

Mark

[Longbowgilly]

My full compass Yew ELB shoots beautifully, no handshock and its still pretty fast, I regularly do well at shooting 3D targets at our trad club, no reason why they can't be as accurate as a normal bow, mine is pretty light at 55lb @26 but another guy at our club has one made by the same guy who made mine and its 125 @28 and he is great at shooting that accuratly!

[coaster500]

I am a newby and have only built 4 bows. My first one was a 54" Mulberry bendy bow. It was a bendy because it was a short stave. It is as accurate as my other bows and I really don't notice anymore shock than the other 2 that are stiff handled. I also made a 70" plus Sassafras ELB type that bends and it shoots very smooth. None of my bows has curved tips so I don't know if that will make a difference?

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have built my fair share of bendys from whitewood and hedge. None exceeded 60" ttt in length. I notice a touch more thump in my hand with the recurves, that is to be expected. The straight bows didnt have noticeable thumping. Handshock isnt so much design related in my opinion, it excess weight at the tips and fades/mids working too hard most often.  Being shorter limbed like most are, they arent super speedsters unless you add some sinew and reflex of course.  *These arent rules* - just what I have found with my own bows. Build yourself 5 or 6 of them and see what you come up with! Have fun.

[RyanY]

Any well designed bow of any design should shoot equally well. In most D bows its good to have the handle do less bending than the limbs.

[tdog]

Thanks for the replies. PD your bendy osage recurve was one of the ones I've seen that really made me want to try that style.

Mark

[Gordon]

I've made lots of bendy handled bows and, in general, have not noticed any difference in handshock or performance compared to stiff handled bows.

[JW_Halverson]

Even before I get to the handshock (if there is any) I notice the bow bending in my grip and it's unnerving at first!  After shooting stiff handled bows for years the first bendy was a bit strange. 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I concur J-dub-yah

[johnston]

tdog the other thing you asked...the handles on a bendy bow do not bend as much
as the limb. Handle usually looks stiff until the bow is drawn. At least that is my take
on the matter.

Lane

[tdog]

Also(newbie question), would you tiller with a gradual thickness taper from the center of the handle area? As opposed to the uniform thickness of a pyramid bow with a straight taper in limb width. I hope I worded that right.

Mark

[PEARL DRUMS]

Yes

[George Tsoukalas]

If it is well tillered with good limb timing it won't be shocky. I think bend in the handle bows shoot every bit as well or better than their rigid handled bows. Jawge

[gmc]

I'm wit cha Jawge.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I have one more thing to add. A bendy handle has to be thee easiest bow to tiller for me. I have heard many say that its harder than a rigid handle. I never found that to be so in my experineces. Fades are responsible for making or breaking many a bow, when ya aint got none they cant be stiff or hinged!