So as I look into eastern vs western recurves, I notice that much of the eastern stuff looks like this unstrung:
(http://www.sklep-robinhooda.pl/product/image/1016/srh_uk_wschodni_konny_KAYA_KHAN_52_30_sklep-robinhooda_01.jpg)
So does this generally make a faster bow? Seems like it should. Are there western recurves like this too?
I'm sure a wise soul will know the answer. My guess is in ancient times the design was dictated by the materials and I know they used a lot of horn in their bows.
If they were faster we'd all be shooting them.
I don't believe there is any real testing to support the idea that eastern bows are faster-just thinking about stringing them gives me a groin pull-but to each his own.
If you are interested in speeds Blacky Schwartz runs a web site that compares bows of various makes.
This doesn't really have anything to do with eastern bows perse, that's just the only ones that I have seen with this trait.
Take 2 50# bows. One is 25# at brace and the other is 1# at brace. Both are 50# @ 28".
Would one be faster than the other?
Seems like the one with the higher brace poundage should be to me.
Similarly, take 2 50# bows. One is 50# at 20" and the other is 50# @ 30". Both are the same weight at brace. Would one be faster?
It seems like the longer draw should be.
It seems like there should be a poundage per inch correlation. Is there anything to this?
Snowplow,
I was going to post to your other thread, but can't find it at the moment. When I recommended going to a bow with a "smoother" force draw curve, I meant "if you go heavier in draw weight."
Although I may be wrong, and there is no science (that I'm aware of) to support it, I have seen that most bows that stack pounds early seem to shoot a bit faster and "hit harder" than the smoother" ones that add poundage later. This has been my GENERAL observation anyway...
In your quest for a faster bow, you should also look at the limb length. It is proven that, all else being equal, a bow with shorter limbs is faster. If you are concerned about losing accuracy, you can get one with a longer riser. They don't look as cool IMO, but they offer a good balance of speed and accuracy. Worth looking into.
You can also experiment with carbon arrows to find something stiff enough, but lighter in weight. I just started using them, but find them overall less forgiving of different draw weights than aluminum.
Skinny strings generally help too.
I also believe that most bows with reputations that put them in the top 5 percent speed-wise, are not really built to last as long. After all, would you expect to get 200,000 miles on a formula-one race car?
Others may say I'm wrong, but that has been my experience. Good luck in your quest. Figuring out what works best for you is half the fun.
- John
Thanks John. I am having a good time looking into this stuff.
Thanks John. I am having a good time looking into this stuff.
Take a look at Pete Ward's test of the Border Covert Hunter
DDave