TBB and 'Optimum' Bow Length

[mmattockx]

Throughout the TBB volumes Tim Baker (I think it is) claims that the optimum bow length for a 28" draw is 67" NTN. Can anyone explain exactly how that was arrived at?


Thanks,
Mark

[DC]

I think it was making hundreds if not thousands of bows and he noticed that 66-67 seemed to be the length that worked the best for the average guy. Shorter and you risk set or breaking and longer would have less cast.

[Jim Davis]

It also makes a good non-pinch string angle for a 28" draw. I make my bows 68" ntn.

[bradsmith2010]

yes lots of factors,, but thats a good starting point for sure,,

[Del the cat]

Depends on draw weight and bow style too.
Del

[Allyn T]

[Allyn T]

And that length is specific for straight limb bows, and it was before he did the experiments with long very narrow tips. It think Badgers mass formula and tiller shape matching front profile made it so too long is less of a problem if mass is placed correctly

[George Tsoukalas]

Double your draw and add 20%.   So for a 28" draw....it comes out to 67 in.

Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

But it depends on the type of wood and the condition of the stave. Does it have knots , etc.
For osage the bowyer can go an inch or 2 shorter.
Then there is the width to consider.

[Selfbowman]

Well I have built lots of bows with the same wood and the same design. 67-69”. 67 with a 9-10” handle shoot arrows farther. Just saying don’t ask me why! I think what has been said says it all. Arvin

[Badger]

  I like to stay between 66" and 69", my bows are pretty basic slight reflex bow mostly. I started off at 62" and over the years they just kept inching longer. The past 10 years I have pretty much settled in.

[sleek]

I've been doing lots of short bow experiments and am learning that for a straight bow thats a solid length. But there are other factors  such as reflex, recurves,  deflex, and width that can all be manipulated to get equal performance as a long bow.

[bownarra]

String angle and you don't have the dimishing returns of longer and longer bows. A shorter bow that stacks doesn't store the energy.