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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ranger 3 on February 18, 2009, 07:25:00 PM

Title: Dumb question
Post by: ranger 3 on February 18, 2009, 07:25:00 PM
What is the difference between set and follow?
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 18, 2009, 07:48:00 PM
Here's the way I see it. Follow is when the bow curves around and the limbs take on part of the appearance of being strung. Let's say you start working a stave that has 3 inches of reflex. Your bow comes out with 1 inch of reflex left. Your bow has 2 inches of set. It really has no string follow. Jawge
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: Apex Predator on February 18, 2009, 09:47:00 PM
My take on it is as follows:

Set is when a wood bow suffers damage to the fibers on the belly.  

Set results in string follow, which is when the unstrung profile places the tips further towards the string than what is desired.

Some bowyers build string follow into their all wood or glass laminate bows, because it makes for a smooth draw and release.
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: ranger 3 on February 18, 2009, 10:29:00 PM
So if you make a Osage bow and it looks like is is strung with a brace height of 3" but it's unstrung then it has a string follow of 3" and that is a bad thing?
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: talkingcabbage on February 18, 2009, 10:47:00 PM
Yes and no.  String follow makes the bow draw real nice, but it robs arrow cast.
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: Pat B on February 18, 2009, 10:52:00 PM
How does it shoot?
Title: Re: Dumb question
Post by: Roy Steele on February 19, 2009, 02:00:00 AM
When you first unstring your bow.And the limbs are curved back.This is string follow.As your bow sets there with time it starts to flex back into shape.When it stops regaining it's shape before it's straight.This is set alot of people thinks it's the same thing,it's not.