what is a ...???

[beaver#1]

ok i have been a tradganger for a while.  I started with a recurve and then come to my senses and got a longbow.  i have a very nice bow that elkninja made me that is pretty heavy r/d style, and a great northern critter gitter that is my main bow right now. i have been seeing the term "string follow" here and there and i was wondering what is that, or what does that mean.  i here it mostly when it comes to hill style bows.  thanks

Dustin Parker

[Onehair]

String follow refers to self bows mostly. After the bow has been shot and unstrung the bow will have lost some of it's set and appear to still be partially strung of flexed.

[beaver#1]

woulndt that make the bow weaker.

[Spectre]

I also have an elkninja made "Solstice" R/D bow. He is very talented.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[MYSTIKBOW]

Yes, over time it would definately make the bow weaker. (self bows in general) Therefor never leave your selfbow strung when not in use.

[beaver#1]

makes sense. thanks guys

[Ray_G]

String follow in a laminated bow is designed in to the bow form.  My Sunset Hill long bow has around 1/2" of string follow built in - the unstrung limb tips are toward the shooter.  This gives a softer "feel" in the hand after the shot compared to a reflexed long bow, because of no pre-stress in the limbs.  The draw is smoother at the start of the pull than a reflexed bow, generally.  In this bow, unlike a self bow, string follow is a good thing.

[beaver#1]

thanks ray, that helps alot ,