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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: mq32pa on March 07, 2009, 10:14:00 PM

Title: Handle length
Post by: mq32pa on March 07, 2009, 10:14:00 PM

While using the same form be it a recurve or hybrid longbow, If you shorten the handle length say from 18" to 16" does that effect draw weight and by how much? And by lenghtening the handle what would be the outcome?

Thanks
 John

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: Curtis Haden on March 08, 2009, 10:10:00 PM

Interested in this one myself.  TTT

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: kennym on March 08, 2009, 10:58:00 PM

It would give you longer working limb. My guess is you would lose 3-4 #
Lengthening the riser would give shorter working limb,so  it would gain weight.

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: Curtis Haden on March 08, 2009, 11:39:00 PM

I obviously don't know (hence my post above), but when I ordered the plans from Binghams to make a t/d, they told me that if I made a shorter riser (with a given limb length) than what the plans called for, it would make a heavier bow.

I also noticed on Beth Windauer's "Silvertip Limb Inventory" post in the Sponser's Classifieds, she indicates that when switching riser lengths on their bows -- "for every length you go up you will drop about 2#'s. For every length you go down you will gain 2#'s."

What Kenny said about the longer working limb makes sense to me, but...???  Also wondering if it makes any difference in a t/d vs. a one-piece?

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: Apex Predator on March 09, 2009, 06:13:00 AM

I lose 3-4# for each inch I shorten a riser on my straight profile, Hill style longbows.  So I would say 6-8# less.

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: Allen Ziebarth on March 09, 2009, 09:01:00 AM

What I think they mean, is, if you have a 68" bow with an 18" riser, if you shorten the riser to 16" but keep the overall length of 68" then your limbs will be longer, giving you more working limb and decreasing the poundage.

Am I correct here?

Title: Re: Handle length
Post by: mq32pa on March 09, 2009, 12:26:00 PM

Thanks everyone for the help. Thats what I was thinking but was not sure.