Apparently I do not like two things about any (long)bow.

1- The handle must be wrapped with leather. I cannot find myself shooting a naked handled bow.         To me it just isn't finished.


I'll move on to my second item and reason for topic.

2- The bow must have a quiver on it for added weight or I feel the bow looses control in my bow hand. It seems I can settle in on the target better and quicker. I am a natural RH but shoot LH so my RH has not issues with lack of strength of holding any bow.


Has there ever been a longbow with added weight built into the riser/handle?
If so what effects if any?
Does it create a stress point with the limbs?

Hybrid longbows that have pistol grips have a bit more mass in the riser than ASLs.  Some hybrids might also have an adaptor for a stabilizer that adds weight. Can also order bows with heavier woods or phenolic for the riser or metal risers for 3-piece takedowns.

I'm sure somewhere along the line, an individual or two has drilled holes in their own longbow and filled them with lead or whatever.  

I'm not aware of any production of custom longbows that have extra weight built into the riser other than through heavier riser material or an add on adaptor and stabilizer.

To answer your last questions, more weight in the riser helps steady the bow in aiming and reduces hand shock.  A bow quiver also does that for me.  Weight added to the riser in some way wouldn't create any additional stress anywhere. Excess weight in the riser can make the bow feel a bit out of balance when carrying, and maybe even shooting.

I remember years ago when they started "trad" divisions for competition. A guy made a riser from brass for his LB. of course it was not legal. Some bowyers will make risers from man made materials. Kirk at Bigfoot comes to mind.

One option would be to get a bow with a phenolic or micarta riser and possibly a bow bolt take down system for added weight. Check out Dan Toelke's bows.

Three piece Stewart slammers use a heavy impregnated wood dymondwood (I believe)
in the riser section  that gives them a nice heft.

At one time there was a bow called the Mercury Hunter, I think.  Apparently it had mercury incorporated into the riser.

Try mailing one of those.  

My Centaur has what Jim calls a dark matter riser it feels great and adds just the right amount of weight to the bow. That being said I still prefer to shoot with a bow quiver.

Chose a bowyer that will build you a riser of all fiberglass. Adds good weight to smallish riser longbows.

I built this bow in 2011 for my Fiance Helen. She uses it for everything from indoor targets to 70meter outdoor shoots.  I think I used over 30 layers of fiberglass in the riser.  I think any Bowyer can build a bow with extra weight in the riser, But it does add extra expense to the build.. labor and material cost.        

Robert, never saw a bow of yours that I didn't like.

Robert that is a beautiful Bow!

Thanks, It was the first time I worked with Zebrawood. I saw a 2 piece Thunder Child that Big Jim made that was mostly glass in the riser.

This is my Timberpoint Kraken longbow. It has a very dense and heavy material in the riser making the bow extremely heavy compared to other longbows I have owned and tried out.



it is IMO the finest longbow I have ever shot.

a friend had two Matlocks that had lead injected in the risers under the grips they felt like 3pc recurves when  you held them, he was strictly competition and didn't shoot at live animals and wanted his bows a certain mass weight.

Hummingbird risers tend to be heavier as well...definately adds stability..! Request phenolic in your riser....adds loads of stability....jmo.....jackdaw