i have a one piece ben pearson ol ben 5000, the grip is about the same as holind a 2x4 and i was wondering would it hurt the bow if i was to down some fileing on the handle to get a bit more contour to fit my hand a bit better

I don't think it would hurt if you file it to fit alittle better.Just don't take off alot.Then I would refinish to seal up the would and put a new leather grip on it.

I know what you mean, having had an Ol' Ben.   I've trimmed the risers on several longbows, didn't seem to hurt them any.  Obviously, you don't want to get extreme, and the poundage of the bow is a consideration.

Fact is, I'm finishing up a bow right now, and one of my problems is that I still need to trim the riser down some, as I'm trying to bring the bow into a spine match for a specific arrow.

Dick in Seattle

its a 60 pound bow

I have one, the grip does not seem that big to me.
These are rather rare bows. Mine is left hand, 60# 66".It is an "Ol Ben 5000.

how rare i thought they were just run of the mill bows and do you know the exact year they were made sipsey