Positive Tiller: Top limb distance is greater than the Bottom limb distance (common in Olympic recurves). (Example - top limb tiller is 7-1/8", bottom limb tiller is 7")

Neutral Tiller: Top distance = Bottom distance (equal). (Example - top limb tiller is 7", bottom limb tiller is 7")

Negative Tiller: Bottom limb distance is greater than the Top limb distance (bigger gap at the bottom). (Example - top limb tiller is 7", bottom limb tiller is 7-1/8")

Quote from: M60gunner on Today at 01:44:13 PMI am confused by what the difference is between "string walking " ,"fixed crawl" and "point on" means in realation to shooting various distances? I can see advantages but in a hunting scenario I may not know the exact range. Help

string walking = having the arrow nock held onto the string with a pair of string nock points so that the actual 3FU grip can be applied anywhere below those nock points ... the arrow point becomes the aiming "sight".

fixed crawl = setting up a bow so that at least one string arrow nock point will be "point on" at a specific distance, the forefinger of the 3FU grip will always touch the arrow's nock.

In both of the above, there typically will be negative tiller to the bottom limb in order to compensate for its increased draw.

Fixed crawl means that you find a string location somewhere, maybe 1/2", below the normal string location, such that if you grip the string there you can aim point on at your desired hunting distance, maybe 20 yards.  You mark that location by serving down to it, or putting a separate string nock there, so you can find it easily in a hunting situation.  Typically, if you chose 20 yards, you would still be in the kill zone if you are standing anywhere from 15-25 yards away from the target.

Point on means the distance where you can use the point of the arrow to aim without gapping.  That is, the distance where you can put the point of the arrow on the spot you want to hit, and you will hit that spot if you do everything else correctly.  For example, my point on without using a fixed crawl is about 45 yards.

String walking is a more complicated way of using a crawl (a variable crawl, so to speak), so that you know for any distance up to your normal point on distance where to hold the string to hit the spot at that distance.  For example, to string walk and hit the spot at 30 yards, I might have to hold the string 3/8" down from my normal hold under the arrow.  This distance is usually measured in stitches on a tab, so for my example, 3/8" might be 3 stitches.  This is a normal way of aiming in bare bow, but most people would think it is too complicated to use in a hunting situation.

I am confused by what the difference is between "string walking " ,"fixed crawl" and "point on" means in realation to shooting various distances? I can see advantages but in a hunting scenario I may not know the exact range. Help

This is a confusing subject. 

Let's say that you start with a nock point that gives you good bare shaft flight when you grip the string in the normal place: directly under the arrow.  I assume you're using a 3 under grip, because that's the only grip that works if you're going to use a fixed crawl.  A common experience when you grip the string some distance below the arrow in a fixed crawl is to have nock low bare shaft flight.  Or maybe if you had nock high at the normal grip under the arrow, you might luck out and have perfect bare shaft flight at the fixed crawl.

Most people choose to have good bare shaft flight at the fixed crawl location rather than at the normal location, because you can't have it both ways.  So assuming you have nock low bare shaft at the fixed crawl location, you can correct it in two ways: you can either raise the nock point, or move the tiller in a more positive direction if your tiller is adjustable.  So it is possible that 1/8" positive tiller might be the right place for it to be.  But the only way you will know that is to shoot a bare shaft from the fixed crawl location and see what happens.

If your tiller is adjustable, your goal is to adjust both the tiller and the nock point until both adjustments are minimized.  For example, let's say you have a nock point of 3/4" and 0 tiller.  Your nock point seems a bit high, and you would like to lower it.  You try a tiller of 1/8" positive, and now you need a nock point of 7/8" to get level bare shaft flight.  You know you're going in the wrong direction.  So now you try a tiller of 1/8" negative, and your nock point drops to 5/8" to get level bare shaft flight.  Now you know you're moving in the right direction.

Of course, if your tiller is not adjustable, you just adjust the nock point until you get good bare shaft flight and live with it.

But to say tiller should be 0 for 3 under or negative something for a fixed crawl is incomplete.  It's like saying "What's the difference between a cow?"  You have to go through the steps or you're just guessing.

I have three bow quivers around here, but never use them anymore. When  hunting I have a Sunset Hill back quiver, and a Safari Tuff Duiker (smaller model no longer made).

I want to use my Sunset Hill quiver more, but the last few years some of my bow hunting is done during rifle season and not crazy about a tan back quiver then.
I do like the fact that when I am hunting my fletching is covered up especially when it's raining or snowing.

Excellent craftsmanship! The boy can be proud of that.

Quote from: BrushWolf on December 10, 2025, 11:39:53 AM

Quote from: Kirkll on December 09, 2025, 08:43:12 PM

Quote from: BrushWolf on December 07, 2025, 04:06:45 PMMy boy started shooting a trad bow last summer. He shoots it with a fixed crawl and shoots it very well. He has killed 4 deer now with that style. I built his current bow and tillered it for shooting with a fixed crawl. I have recently dabbled into it myself and built a couple sets of limbs just for shooting that way. So far it seems to be working fine and something to play around with.we set are bows up at 15 yards and don't see an issue shooting to 20 yards

I'm curious how much positive tiller you are using for a fixed crawl?

His bow is 1/8" positive.

I'm confused. I've always read that you want negative tiller for a fixed crawl.

Food for thought.... Canting your bow will not effect your point of impact with well tuned arrows. If you are getting point of impact differences from side to side from shooting vertical to a canted position consistently, you are most likely spined too heavy.

Quote from: Stringwacker on December 10, 2025, 08:09:39 AM...In my case the broadhead needs to be able 20 grains less than the field point most of the time.

Often the dynamic shaft weakening by the broadhead is largely offset by the addition of feathers on the back of the shaft...which stiffens the dynamic spine by nature of the 12 grains or so...

Thanks for putting some numbers on it; makes it easier to see.  I shoot an elevated rest with AAE trad vanes or feathers, and have noticed a difference.