Limb thickness

[recurvericky]

This question has probably been asked and answered several times, but here it goes any way. Why are some bow limbs thicker that others or the same design and weight. I just ordered supplies for a moderate R/D Longbow 50lbs @ 28" from Binghams (not their design). Binghams suggested four lams (3 parallels and 1 taper). Once I recieved my order I noticed that the limbs would be pretty thick compared to some other bows of the same design and poundage. My question is how is it possible to have 2 bows of similar design and poundage, but considerably differebt limb thicknesses?

[Orion]

How similar is the design/shape?  If they're quite similar, the laminations should be about the same thickness as well, unless of course one design has much wider limbs than the other.

[ethan]

Width, length, and shape of limbs have alot to do with it.  Thickness of glass also plays a big part, .030, .050, etc...

[recurvericky]

What is better a wider limb/thinner thickness or a narrower limb/thicker limb if the bows are of the same design and poundage?

[Tree man]

Ricky, Which are prettier blondes or brunettes? There will never cease to be conflicting opinions on "best" limb designs. Broad and thin tends to be very smooth to draw and almost unbreakable in terms of overdraw stresses(If someone pulls a thin glass laminated limb several inches beyond "normal" nothing bad usually happens). Thin limbs may be more susceptible to twisting. If the draw weight is light and the limbs very thin the bow may act like cooked pasta at the shot with a bad case of the wiggledy jiggledies. A deep cored limb  tends to be slightly lighter in mass per drawweight if the same length as the wide limb it is also very stable and torque resistant....but it will be a little more prone to stacking on long draws, more susceptible to breakage if grossly overdrawn(but less prone to edge damage and limb twist)....so as you may note-everything in bow design involves compromise and trade offs.