I had an accident yesterday and broke my riser to my ancient spirits thunderhawk! So I called JD up and he told me to come to his shop and he would hook me up! (I live 5 minutes from his shop). JD is a great guy to work with and he gave me a Thunderhawk riser from one of his stock bows. So after hanging out for an hour or two. I went home and started shooting. I did notice that the new riser was a little bulkier feeling, but very slightly......no one else could notice it but me, of course because it is my bow. but I was amazed at how it shot. The riser I had before was walnut with 3 stripes of osage. the new riser is all osage. I noticed that my bow shot faster, drew just as smooth, had less handshock, and was a little more stable in my hand after the shoot. Now I can see how the bow felt more stable and had less hand shock because the osage riser is heavier than the walnut I had before. Osage is a denser wood. what I am trying to figure out is... would the osage riser being heavier and denser, transfer more of the energy to the limbs? maybe I am way off base on this, but I notice a difference in performance. Does that make any sence at all? Either way I am not complaining...except it sucks to have to dig into my round bales to get my arrows out  

That is why I shoot metal riser recurves.Not as pretty but I can tell the difference between wood and metal.

whew, from the post title, I thought this was about an exorcism...  

Hey Stick Flipper! Great news from you re: osage riser! I ordered a new Sequoia from JD. Osage riser with five stripes, faded bamboo limbs with antler tips. I should have the bow in this week. 64" 53#@ 28". Can't wait! I agree, JD is a good guy to deal with.

I would think it has nothing or very little to do with the riser wood. I would think the limb angles are slightly different on the new riser and that is the difference. Shawn

whatever the difference it is awesome. just thought I would share my good fortune

wouldn't the dencer risr flex less and thus increase the bows perormance

Like R H CLARK I also prefer metal risers. I also have wood and solid phenolic riser bows. The metal is always the better performer, even when the same limbs are switched like you did. The phenolic is almost as good as the metal.

Maybe more center cut?

1.  You changed (lowered) your brace height (that can account for some speed).

2.  The osage flexes less...stiffer riser equals more speed.

3.  As stated above, maybe the limb pad angle is different by a degree or two...

Take Care,
Marc

Yep,all the above.That is why I like metal risers that allow you to change the limb pad angle.  

metal is to cold in the winter .  

So are my wife's feet but I put up with it.