I saw a pic here on the PowWow of a longbow with arrow shelves cut for both LH and RH shooting. Is this type of bow purely custom or does anyone know of a builder who makes one of these routinely? Thanks!
I remember reading it on the hill thread, hopefully Mudd or someone else will chime in and give info.
Back in the fifties it was quite common for bows to be made with dual shelves...I have one new dual shelf bow I am building from a blank, one self bow waiting for me to try that the bowyer can easily add a second shelf and one bow under construction that will also be finished as a dual shelf...there are a lot of options for owning a dual shelf bow
DDave
I just did a search for dual shelf...you will find it quite informative
DDave
My first longbows were a few old (1958-59) dual shelf Bear Alaskans that are basically R/D longbows that Bear called static recuve I liked them so much that I have picked up many true the years. I still own a handful. They shoot good. I have added phenolic limb tip pads on 2 of them so I can use a skinny low stretch string to make them shoot real good.
I like the dual shelf concept so much that I acquired a custom dual shelf Fred Anderson Skookum. The Alaskans often serve as loaners to guests or friends that I introduce to traditional archery.
Thanks, guys, I didn't know they were called "dual" shelf bows and will do a search.
Leon Stewart built me a dual shelf Slammer longbow that I sold.
I still own a Green Mountain dual shelf longbow.
I think Chuck at Two Tracks might build one, he's very good at what he does.
The dually bows quite often have less of a sight window cut. They may need a slightly lower spine shaft.
I own 6 dual shelf bows. 5 from the 1950's and 1 from the 1960's. They are all great shooters. I would consider buying a new one too...actually thinking about it, but you have to request them special. Aside from the ones already mentioned I know Maddog will make them upon request.
I have 6 because we have 4 kids with a mix of RH and LH shooters. The old bear Alaskans and the dual shelf Kodiaks from the 1950's are sweet.
I have a newer Howard Hill longbow that has a dual shelf, so they can make one for you.
I have a MadDog Prairie Predator dually. Very nice bow.
I had Ron Fox of Fox archery build me a dual shelf takedown longbow in the late 1990's. I would suggest giving Ron King at Fox archery a call.