Hey guys maybe a dumb question but here goes nothing

why have a small brace height on most longbows (5-6") rather than twisting up the string to a higher brace hight (7-8") and tuning the arrows to fly with a high brace height?

Is it loss in the power stroke? Or.....

Just a curiosity thing...

Thanks

Not sure the exact reasons for certain brace heights being recommended for certain bows, but on my R/D longbow, it performs best with a brace height of around 7 1/4".  I'm guessing you are talking more about Hill style bows with the extremely short brace heights.

Not sure.. As I understand it D shaped longbows typically do have a lower brace as compared to heavy r and d long bows.  For example my bear AuSable (heavy r/d) is supposed to run a 6.25 to 7.5 brace height (I think).  However during tuning a found that the bow really quieted down to a whisper at 7.6, so despite the small loss in power that is where I keep it.  I honestly on both of my bows let the bow choose the brace height not me or the manufacturer.  As with anything though when you shorten the power stroke you loose power.  What is more important power or stealth.  Personally I like to shoot and only hear the thud of the arrow entering the target.

dahyer, I think you meant to say "D" shaped bows typically have a lower brace height. When you get into the highly reflex/deflex longbows you usually get into the higher brace height.

QuoteOriginally posted by Bladepeek:
dahyer, I think you meant to say "D" shaped bows typically have a lower brace height. When you get into the highly reflex/deflex longbows you usually get into the higher brace height.

Ah yes thank you has been corrected.  

Kopper, a bowyer designs a bow/limbs to operate with a certain amount of preload dictated by brace height on non ILF bows. That preload would give maximum tension on the string at brace giving the quietest and least hand shock shot. Going above or below the recommendation lowers the string tension at brace yielding a louder shot and more hand shock. Also running the brace way high stresses the limbs a lot and could lead to early failure.