Double draw length plus ten rule of thumb

[stuckinthemud]

Does the double draw length plus ten percent include the non working elements like stiff handle and static recurved?

[Badger]

 Yes that is a pretty conservative dimension.

[stuckinthemud]

So I draw 24”.  On a bend thru handle style I would build a 52” ntn bow for myself.  Are you saying that is too long if I were using a premium stave?  Equally, were  I deigning a pistol grip with 3” statics I would have thought I’d need to add 14 inches?  Am I overbuilding?

[Badger]

 i would go at least 64" on the bendy handle, you could obviously get away with less but the 64" will shoot much better.

[bradsmith2010]

the longer bows seem to be a bit more forgiving to me,, I have made and shot both,,,I have some shorter bows 52 54 that I hunt with,,, and good close range,, if you are 3d or target shooting, my longer bows are easier to shoot accurately at longer ranges,, I hunt out of some pop up blinds at a friends, and the 50 inch bow is about all I can handle in there,,make a 54 and 64 and see what you think,,

[BowEd]

I thought the conservative formula was double the draw length and add 10".IE....28" draw x 2 = 56" + 10" = 66" TTT.
In this formula it looks like the added 10" is the handle.

[superdav95]

Ya I believe you’re right Ed.  I’ve used this as a guide myself.  The only thing I’ll add is that to go shorter safely your into sinew and or backings of rawhide and the like.  I’ve made shorter bows with no backings but they were heat tempered bamboo. Bamboo is a different animal.  I don’t think I’d get away with very short bows with no backing otherwise. 

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, double the draw and add 10" or about 20%.
Of course, the condition of the stave is important. Are knots present in excess. etc?
Jawge

[Jim Davis]

Don't recall the numbers without looking it up, but the + needs to be a percentage, not a length. Otherwise short bows would be too long and longer draw lengths would work out too short.

[bradsmith2010]

as you make more bows the rule of thumb make more sense,, if you go shorter set or blow up,, if too long the bow might not take set but i might not shoot hard,, length of handle and all the other varialbles can get confusing,, but its a good starting point,, if you are like me I tried to break all the rules,, and then said ohhhhh ,,,, thats why

[bassman211]

+ 2 is for a 1 inch tip on both limbs.That gives you the plus 10, and the right formula measurement nock to nock. I make the tips half inch,so for me + 1.

[BowEd]

Here's what I pay attention to with wood.Total length of working limbs added together in comparison to your drawlength.
For a 28" draw below 14" of working limb per limb is pushing the limits with wood,but done.
Most bows with a conservative lay out will range anywhere from 16 to 20 inches of working limb per limb.
Using sinew or horn or a combo together with the wood decreases the length of the working limbs considerably.

[Selfbowman]

Draw length times two and 9” non bending handle with the tips taking another inch. 67” for 28” draw. Flip the tips a couple inches and you have a reliable fast shooting bow. Best design I’ve found. Arvin