Stiff Handle With No Shelf Designs?

[cool_98_555]

Hello everyone,

I'm just curious to see all of your bows with a stiff non-bending handle without an arrow shelf on them.  I like this type of bow and I'm trying to get new ideas for a shape or design for the next bow im working on right now.  I'm not a big fan of built-up arrow rests either.  I'm just looking for designs of stiff-handled bows with no shelf, just shoot off the hand.  Looking forward to seeing what designs you have on your bows!

[bubby]

It is pretty simple just build a handle that is comfy and don't put a rest on it, personally i don't think the rest has any bering on the handle

[Pat B]

Blend the fade area where you would normally cut in a handle just like the other 3 width fade areas. I use a bulbous handle and usually they come out slightly bendy, my choice but not necessary.  I start with a 1 1/2" circle dead center in the handle, 2" out from that going both directions, I put a 1" circle. Two inches out from there on each limb is generally the widest part of the bow. Draw a line from that point to the outer point on the small circle, from there to the outside of the big circle and back to the other small circle and back to the other wide point. This will give you a basic, rough bulbous handle to be fitted to your liking.

[Stick Bender]

I like a simple bulberus type handle for off the knuckle  it's verry comfortable I make a striker plate out of a thin peace of leather put between to boards and squeezed thiner in the vice

[Mo_coon-catcher]

After using this shape a bit it's getting to be my favorite shape. It's small and comfortable.

Kyle

[ajooter]

If anything the rest acts as a good locator for good arrow placement during shooting.  I do as everybody says above and i am a fan of a floppy rest.

[osage outlaw]

I like to dish out the arrow pass area and use a floppy rest.

[loon]

Have this hornbow with a handle built up on the back. Want to make selfbows with somewhat long handles (5"? maybe 4" really would be enough), I shoot with no rest at all. Was thinking either just a straight boring handle, or maybe bulbous but sort of asymmetric to leave space for an arrow pass (vertical), handle 1" wide or so and deeper/ I think the hornbow is 1 1/8" wide at the handle

I really don't know if I'd want it bulbous on the back or belly, and/or bulbous in width as well. Or narrower in the middle.

[BowEd]

Personal preference for how it feels in your hand and your normal hand placement.Mine are bulbous type also.I made templets that I will lay on the back of bow at the handle I trace out for my handles before carving them in.General rule with safety on that is at least twice the depth of handle compared to the width of the arrow pass.Example....5/8" wide arrow pass with it being at least 1.25" deep there.Here's some pics.

[Snake River Stickbow]

I have been trying out this handle on the last few bows I made. I think it helps me shoot well because it lends itself to my style. I glue on a leather arrow shelf and trim that down, then wrap it. I haven't cut in a shelf in quite a while now and don't really miss them.
And I also really like Beadman's reply as well, good stuff.

[George Tsoukalas]

Cut-in rests and nearly center shot self-bows  are a relatively recent happening in primitive bows.
I usually glue on a piece of leather as a shelf at the top of the handle covering.
There are buildalongs on my site.
http://traditionalarchery101.com/
Jawge

[Jim Davis]

Yes George. In fact, historically, they are a recent happening on ANY bow. Most bows made by the guilds and later bowyers such as James Duff had cylindrical handles. I never cut a rest and have come to like the cylindrical handles, which are one result of making take-downs with a round steel sleeve.

[cool_98_555]

I love seeing pictures of all these handle designs.  I have seen a few designs where the handle was dished out only on the belly side.  That might be an interesting handle design for next time. 

[Blayne]

Here is what I did. No bend in the handle and I just glued on a piece of antler for a rest. I like it a whole bunch!

[GB]

I like to narrow the arrow pass on just one side, to keep the arrow closer to center.  7/8" is as narrow as I go.