HH bug got me ... Part One!

swampthing · August 17, 2011, 07:38:00 PM

Stringfollow allows for a shorter limb for a given draw. Basically because you do not have to bend the limb as far back to achieve brace, compared to a backset bow who's limbs would have to be pulled further to get it braced. Add in a short riser and you can get away with 66" bows for 28" draw, and if you alter the limbs taper you could probably squeeze it shorter a tad more.
I would not go shorter than 2" less than a backset length, ie; 69" for 29" draw 68" for 28" draw. Stringfollow lengths, with shorter riser: 67" for 29" draw, 66" for 28" draw. 65" for 27" draw. If you are gonna pull any amount of weight, above say, 60-70#, I'd go longer by an inch in either limb profile.

Rob DiStefano · August 17, 2011, 07:47:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by swampthing:
Stringfollow allows for a shorter limb for a given draw. Basically because you do not have to bend the limb as far back to achieve brace, compared to a backset bow who's limbs would have to be pulled further to get it braced. Add in a short riser and you can get away with 66" bows for 28" draw, and if you alter the limbs taper you could probably squeeze it shorter a tad more.
I would not go shorter than 2" less than a backset length, ie; 69" for 29" draw 68" for 28" draw. Stringfollow lengths, with shorter riser: 67" for 29" draw, 66" for 28" draw. 65" for 27" draw. If you are gonna pull any amount of weight, above say, 60-70#, I'd go longer by an inch in either limb profile.

good scoop, jesse.

Red Tailed Hawk · August 17, 2011, 08:28:00 PM

Is their any disadvantages to having a shorter riser? I would assume the bow would be lighter in mass weight.

bicster · August 17, 2011, 08:38:00 PM

I just wanted to show you how to start em young!

bicster · August 17, 2011, 08:40:00 PM

One more of Evan and I shooting a HH Longbowman's Choice.

Red Tailed Hawk · August 17, 2011, 08:43:00 PM

those are some great pics bicster, I like the 2nd pic looks like he's checking out your anchor.

bicster · August 17, 2011, 08:48:00 PM

I think he made me paranoid about it too.

tradlongbow · August 17, 2011, 08:54:00 PM

I like the second pic too, it does look like your son is checking out your anchor and form.

Thanks for sharing,
Darren

tradlongbow · August 17, 2011, 09:02:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Rob DiStefano:

QuoteOriginally posted by Red Tailed Hawk:
...Will a string follow bow be smoother out to the longer draw?
i find that string follow is smoother on the release and has little to do with the draw itself. [/b]

My new Hill that I bought in January, Is straight limbed, and it is much smoother to draw and it has a clean smooth release. My older Hills had the limbs that had a noticable amount of reflex, and they wasn't as smooth on release. I like the straight limb, next bow will be string follow.

Darren

stik&string · August 17, 2011, 09:02:00 PM

Bicster, I've done that too, easy way to ensure the little ones stay begin the archer

Nate Steen . · August 17, 2011, 09:29:00 PM

Jesse's got the dope....well said.

you can smooth out a short bow for a long draw with a few customizations....but it depends on hand size with some other considerations which I won't ellaborate on....

but, for example....long limbs equal long levers which equal smooth draw and the ability to move heavier arrows.... the closer you put those levers together at the fulcrum, the tighter the arc and the faster the levers move when tension is released. That translates into faster heavier arrows. You move the levers/limbs together by shortening the handle. If the levers/limbs are too close due to a too short handle, you can get finger pinch.....but there is no way that someone used to shooting a long draw out of a 62" r/d bow will have finger pinch in a 66" short handle/long limb Hill style bow. Pure string-angle geometry at work.

I personally don't think a handle is 'short' unless it's under 14" max. Hill preferred them really short. I like around 11 - 12" personally, which is around the length that Hill used and what Schulz used in his 'Naturals'. That said...shorter handles typically have steeper 'swoopes' on the fadeouts depending on handle depth and a reflexed bow will have mucho stress on the fades....hence another reason to have a string follow bow..

I've let enough 'gimmies' out of the bag...

...but you guys can think about what I've said and put it to use when ordering your bows. A custom bowyer can/should be able to modify handle length to fit the customer's needs...Custom shouldn't only mean the type of wood veneers you can order.

ChrisM · August 17, 2011, 10:05:00 PM

So a bow with a 16" riser and 68" length should shoot and feel simular to a bow with 14" riser and 66" leng and the shorter should be a touch faster all else equal. Do i have that right?

Nate Steen . · August 17, 2011, 10:18:00 PM

you got it Chris. however, the shorter bow will feel lighter, duh, and livlier. That's why a 66" string follow bow with short handle will shoot as fast or faster than alot of 68" reflex bows. plus it feels smoother on the draw and recoil.

I notice things, and one thing I'm particularly picky about is efficient use of the limbs. When I see guys shooting 68 - 70" bows, thinking they are pulling over 28", and really they are pulling about 26 1/2 - 27" when actually shooting, they aren't using the limb efficiently. all that wasted limb length and slow recoil translates into wasted energy and "shock" (there's that dreaded term). I've watched ALOT of people shoot longbows and I'd guess that somewhere around 85% don't pull to the draw they think when they are actually shooting. to me it's one of the banes of stickbow shooters. Not saying you can have a short draw...if you shoot relaxed and casual, but most of those I observe have collapsing form and lost back tension when they shoot. In front of the mirror at home or in front of the camera they always pull back all the way.

Ari · August 17, 2011, 10:24:00 PM

I just got my new Miller the other day, it a 66" string follow with a short 12" riser.

Been to busy shooting it to get pictures up, but now that my arms total worn out I'll try work it out.

ron w · August 17, 2011, 10:29:00 PM

That explains why my 66" 14" riser Halfbreed shoots and feel like it does. At 45# @ 28" and my draw length its really spitting out my 575 gr cedars. Thanks for the insight!

August 17, 2011, 10:35:00 PM

When I shoot and plan on holding, I find that I stop a bit short of my 26 plus draw and need to spread to get the rest of the draw. However, when I am planning on taking a hard shot and not holding more than enough to hit my anchor solidly I draw a bit long. I hit my fingers slightly with my broahead and it feels short, but if I go for a longer draw than tagging with my finger on 27" to back of the blade I am no longer over the arrow. This is still longer than what John would suggest for me, which would come to 25&3/4". On the other hand I have a 68" slightly whip ended bow that shoots great at my draw, although perhaps a shorter bow could be a little faster, the one I have is very fast for a 68" bow, super accurate and silky smooth, with no shock at my draw. My son who has a longer draw has noticed how nice it shoots when he intentionally draws short. I would not recommend this for someone ordering a stock bow, the final tillering was very time consuming.

Nate Steen . · August 17, 2011, 10:42:00 PM

Pavan,

whip ended bows are tricky to make...but it sure softens up a reflexed bow. When John went to the stringfollow design, both glassed and unglassed, he didn't whip end them to my knowledge.

Ben Maher · August 17, 2011, 10:50:00 PM

Its also horses for courses and what you intend to use the bow for IMHO ...
My 'hunting rigs' are all 66" long which packs the necessary whallop for hunting with fine manouverability ... but for field and target I prefer 68-70" even at my piddly just on 27-27 1/2 " draw .
Do any others out there change there bow length based on what they are doing ?

Ari · August 18, 2011, 12:17:00 AM

Okay, hope this works.

Here it is Bamboo backed Osage string follow Miller, 66" with a short 12" riser 61#@27.

August 18, 2011, 12:18:00 AM

Usually when I am sneakin' I preferred a 68" bow for my short draw, of my own tiller, but when sitting I took 66" bows. However, that may change this year, I have my second Huntmore chair one for me and my wife, and it is very comfortable at a higher position, which make my 68" bows more practical.