Author Topic: Advice on bow length versus draw length  (Read 1937 times)

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Offline BrokenArrow

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Advice on bow length versus draw length
« on: December 18, 2014, 12:41:27 pm »
I have a 24 inch draw to pivot point and I am wondering for a bend in the handle bow (5/8 thick handle) what the minimum bow length would be for osage orange bow backed with sinew, goat rawhide and unbacked?
1) Sinew backed- ? inches
2) Goat rawhide backed- ? inches
3) Unbacked- ? inches

Thanks All

Offline Newindian

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Re: Advice on bow length versus draw length
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2014, 12:51:49 pm »
Amount of reflex, sinew, and width will be important.
Assuming minimal reflex if any, and width/sinew being unconstricted:
- sinew  up to about 44-43" ( maybe a little less e if you really pushed it)
-rawhide/self  I wouldn't go any  less then  48 "but you might be able to go as low as 46" but agin that is pushing it and you will want more width then a longer bow.
« Last Edit: December 18, 2014, 03:32:13 pm by Newindian »
I like free stuff.

Offline huisme

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  • I'm Marc, but not that Marc.
Re: Advice on bow length versus draw length
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2014, 03:17:43 pm »
I don't like/haven't used many backings so I'll just comment on bare wood.

If osage is really more durable than locust I wouldn't be afraid of making a bendy no-flex/flat-profile 48"ntn bow for a 24" draw, maybe shave an inch or two with flipped-but-still-working tips. The same numbers work well with locust, why not the king of bow wood ;) >:D
50#@26"
Black locust. Black locust everywhere.
Mollegabets all day long.
Might as well make them short, save some wood to keep warm.

Offline Badger

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Re: Advice on bow length versus draw length
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2014, 04:10:31 pm »
  You can go 48 or below but I find if they are too short my accuracy really suffers. I have kind of settled into about 52" to 54" for short bows. If I go below 52" I prefer to flip the tips or use recurves.

Offline BrokenArrow

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Re: Advice on bow length versus draw length
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2014, 07:04:05 pm »
Thanks for the info as I am trying to develop making a bow style, wood and length next year with sinew.
My choice is a 50 -54 osage with recurved tips and shooting off the hand. I have made the exact same as described but with rawhide backing.
Will post pics but have to figure out pic size to get it on this site

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Advice on bow length versus draw length
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2014, 08:55:57 pm »
i have had good luck with the bows 50ish as well,,, I draw 26 or 27 most the time unless the bow needs something different to preform well ,, or not break