Two questions

[newknapper]

Got a 55" tip to tip red oak (stave) D-Bow in the works, what is a safe draw length for this length and style bow/wood?

Question number 2: On this same bow I am wanting to put side nocks on it (the kind with only one groove) my question is do I put the string grooves on opposite sides of the bow or the same side.

[RyanY]

I've heard that a safe draw for any bow is two times your draw length plus 10% of that is a good bow length. Do that backwards and the draw you get is 24.75". Not sure what you mean by side nocks.

[shamus]

thoughts of mine on bow length: http://analogperiphery.blogspot.com/2008/06/selfbow-length.html

hope that helps.

[Pappy]

If it is good clean wood I usually won't go any shorter than twice my draw plus the non bending
part of the handle and fads.Keep in mind if the bow is 55 T-T it will probably only be 53 n-n witch
is what matters.Don't know on the side knocks.
   Pappy

[newknapper]

When I talk about side side I mean like these, I went on ahead and put them opposite of each other, which is probly wrong.       


http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,2829.0.html


The bow is for a young boy I think he is at 20" draw now but want to make it 23" just to be safe.

[Pappy]

Still not sure on the side nocks,I am sure Pat or someone will chime in soon.You will be fine on the length. Can't wait to see it all finished up.
   Pappy

[Hillbilly]

Yeah, opposite is way to go with the single side nocks. How wide is the bow and what poundage is it pulling? 23" should be do-able if it's not too heavy.

[Dauntless]

I made a red oak d-bow with sidenocks like you describe (just on one tip though) 56" long.  It draws 50+ at 26" although it took quite a bit of set before I heat treated it.  I have a red maple one too 56" long pulling 40# at 28". 

With bend in the handle bows, you can get away with a longer draw length if you make the entire limb bend or if you make it a tad wider.  Short bows get more set and stack more is all.