Hmm... how many bows does a (wo)man need? The answer: The number of bows you have plus one!

Quote from: Stringwacker on February 10, 2026, 02:57:16 PMOff the shelf works just fine with tuning once you get the ups and downs and rights and lefts adjusted out.

One of the things I have never understood is why does raising the brace height make a bow shoot better with a stiffer arrow? I have heard this before; though I have never tried this myself.

In my way of thinking, the longer an arrow accelerates on the string... the arrow should become 'weaker' acting due the longer powerstroke and changes in the dynamic spine.

Regardless, I know that you want to get all that worked out before the big hunt!

Here is something to chew on. When raising a brace height above the bowyers recommendation, what it does is it actually lowers the preload tension on the limbs. I'm talking actual string tension at brace. This definitely affects the performance rate. Not only do you have a shorter power stroke, but there is less tension on the string to stop the forward motion of the limbs and less energy gets transferred to the shaft.

The amount past center the shelf is cut out can make a huge difference. The only thing that I could think of having a high brace helping with a stiffer shaft is that the arrow is coming off the string sooner and doesn't make contact with the strike plate as hard. But it's no way to tune arrows... listen to the bowyer and use the recommended brace height for best performance. Then tun your arrows accordingly.

Everyone enjoys the fire pit at Twin Oaks...

That is a shame, the cold nasty weather made it difficult for many I'm sure.  I'll see if anything comes up.

Henry is indeed an excellent bowyer.  Wish I would have the opportunity to cross paths with him.

Got a soft spot for shortys myself..that's a real nice looking bow! I have a long draw and have really come to like long arrows..ive been shooting 34" 350s with my 54" Shrew for a few years. I've tried a bunch of different arrow weights and length..tuned and fumed..  Longer the shaft the better for me on the lil shortys..hey man! With those arrows shooting like that..I wouldn't go chasing heavy rainbows too far..by the sound of it..you got the hunting magic dialed first try!

Im amazed at the speed of my 40# 54" Shrew..with my 30 draw I needed 350 spine for it..light, easy pointing great in tight areas and in the stand.. I shot a Turkey with it last spring and managed to take a doe with it last fall..great shorty and for its size, not much pinch..even at 30..The KZoo show was a great time! Went over there with two of my daughters and came home with a 66" long bow to play with..My daughters loved the TCATs area and picked up a few goodies.

Rabbits are hard to beat but I don't have access to thick briars like I did when I was a youngun. Lately I have enjoyed squirrels on my place. Seeing them work over the corn from my deer feeder gave me an idea. I made a natural ground blind and sprinkle a little corn at the base of a nearby tree to stop my arrow and smack em with steel blunts.

I've always enjoyed the content Henry put out about traditional shooting, like the video of Byron Ferguson visiting his shop. 

You've also piqued my interest... I've been following your posts about the Asbell recurve, but I haven't heard about the Traditional Woodsman Longbow.  Any details to share?

Short bows often get a bad wrap for accuracy. I suppose design is what it's about when you get one that behaves well. That is one sweet lookin stick Johnny.I never met a Burl I didn't like. Congrats and enjoy!