Handle Width and Arrow Shelf Depth

[Picklegiant]

Hi,

I have some questions about how much wood one can take off in certain places, how deep and an arrow shelf be and how narrow can a handle be?

Thanks

[Pat B]

I've seen handles as narrow as 3/4" or so but the handle area was deep and the handle was shaped with no abrupt curves. The cut out of the shelf is usually weak area. I think you can get a narrower throat by adding a rest to a properly shaped handle.

[bubby]

X2 with pat add a shelf and use the proper arrows

[Picklegiant]

So I shouldn't cut a shelf?

[Pat B]

Because of the sharp angles(relative) of the cut out shelf you are adding a built in weakness. All of the leverage of both limbs will concentrate on that weak area.
 There are folks that are successful with cut out shelves and I'm sure they will chime in to shoot me down. 
Also, like bubby said, use proper arrows.

[bubby]

By proper arrows I'm referring to spine a properly spined arrow will shoot just as good as one being launched from a centershot bow

[Picklegiant]

Ok I think I will use those arrows, as I am not comfortable with taking out soo much wood to a shelf

[Del the cat]

If you are just starting out making bows I'd say don't cut a shelf.
The English longbow doesn't have a shelf...
If you do insist on having one, leave it until the bow is almost finished, that way it can be cut to suit how the bow actually shoots.
Del