ASLs are not always as they seem

Phil Magistro · July 12, 2026, 12:13:11 PM

Some of you may know of the experience I've had with a Howard Hill Tembo. I bought it used. It was one of the last bows Craig Ekin made and it was exactly what I wanted - 47#, 68" long. I'm not picky about handle wood or glass but this was just fine.

I did have to file the top and bottom nocks. The string was not seated in the top nock on the shelf side and I deepened the bottom nocks because about half the loop was outside the limb tip. I like my nocks to be cut deep enough that the string sits completely in the groove. I had the same issue with a my Big 5 that was built in 2008.

The Tembo shot quite well but I noticed significant rubbing on the belly side of the sideplate, nowhere near the center.

To make a long story short, it turns out the bow has a twist in the upper limb where it comes off the riser. The tips align perfectly. Because the bow shot so well I doubt any of the previous owners noticed this. In fact, I've had other folks show me examples that are similar to this and were never questioned just accepted, possibly because their bow shot fine with the twist.

I am not a newbie at this but a this one got past my casual inspection until I dug deeper. I've had conversations with some very knowledgeable folks that pointed out the issues I've had are not uncommon, just unnoticed by many.

It may be something that happened after the bow aged a bit or it may have been there from the start. It is more common with long, narrow limbs on ASLs than it is on other limbs that follow a flatbow design with wider, rectangular limbs.

I sent the bow out to a very qualified bowyer to have the bow fixed. It will likely mean it gets cut to 66" but I"m fine with that to keep the weight and have the limbs trapped.

M60gunner · July 12, 2026, 02:43:48 PM

Most people see that wear on the side plate would assume it's over spined arrows, I know I would especially when the limb tips align when strung.

Hud · July 12, 2026, 02:59:26 PM

When a bowyer is behind in his orders, and short of time, it might show up in string alignment or in the string nocks. I have had it happen, and it is usually the same bowyer.

Ray Lyon · July 12, 2026, 05:37:55 PM

Thanks for pointing that out Phil and the pictures.

Bogle · July 12, 2026, 09:00:31 PM

Exact same experience with a Legend Stick. String grooves don't line up and a "propeller" twist in the limbs. Bad part is I shoot it pretty well, all things considered. Mine was built by Craig as well.

Phil Magistro · July 12, 2026, 09:19:54 PM

You mentioned the underlying issue - the darn bow still shoots well. If I hadn't gone looking for answers I'd be shooting it and happy.

Orion · July 12, 2026, 11:34:18 PM

If the string grooves aren't cut to an even depth on each side, it will usually twist the limb a little. Evening out the string groove depth usually cleans up that problem. If the limb actually bends/leans noticeably to one side or the other, taking off a little material on the convex side of the bend will usually straighten the limb. Regardless, the guy you sent it to will know how to fix it.

Phil Magistro · July 13, 2026, 07:40:12 AM

I sent Nate numerous photos. He's confident it can be fixed but to keep a similar weight he's going to shorten the bow to 66".

I didn't ask him his thoughts on how the twist got there. He mentioned seeing quite a bit of twisted limbs like that.But i agree with what you said about uneven nock depth could be the cause. In some cases improper stringing can be the cause. Or it could have just been there since the bow was built.

LookMomNoSights · July 13, 2026, 08:30:09 AM

Quote from: Phil Magistro on July 12, 2026, 09:19:54 PMYou mentioned the underlying issue - the darn bow still shoots well. If I hadn't gone looking for answers I'd be shooting it and happy.

So what puzzles me here a little bit is, if the bow shoots AND there isn't an imminent structural failure coming, is it really anything to care much about? I'm not sure how I'd handle it ..... a huge part of me might opt to just shoot the bow ..... I mean, when you come to anchor and then loose the arrow and it hits it's mark as intended, the only reason to gripe I guess would be aesthetics maybe? I'm saying this, all the while being a stickler for detail myself so maybe it would just stay in my head and it would bother me until I resolved it somehow

Well I hope this bow gets "straightened out" for you and I'm very interested in the post op outcome here. And I hope it doesnt at all change it's shooting characteristics if indeed you like how it shoots presently.

Phil Magistro · July 13, 2026, 11:50:01 AM

The way it was explained to me by a few knowledgeable bowyers is that the propeller twist tends to balance out when the string is released. That's likely why it goes unnoticed. But the wear on the sideplate says something is out of whack (a technical term). If I had ignored it I don't know if it would lead to long term consequences. But once I looked into it it was clear that I could never sell the bow without disclosing the twist and that would diminish the value of the bow.

The outcome will cost me a bit more money but I will end up with a bow that I know is set up perfectly. It may or may not be more accurate for me but it will likely be a bit smoother to shoot.

buckeyebowhunter · July 13, 2026, 06:20:14 PM

Quote from: LookMomNoSights on July 13, 2026, 08:30:09 AM
Quote from: Phil Magistro on July 12, 2026, 09:19:54 PMYou mentioned the underlying issue - the darn bow still shoots well. If I hadn't gone looking for answers I'd be shooting it and happy.

So what puzzles me here a little bit is, if the bow shoots AND there isn't an imminent structural failure coming, is it really anything to care much about? I'm not sure how I'd handle it ..... a huge part of me might opt to just shoot the bow ..... I mean, when you come to anchor and then loose the arrow and it hits it's mark as intended, the only reason to gripe I guess would be aesthetics maybe? I'm saying this, all the while being a stickler for detail myself so maybe it would just stay in my head and it would bother me until I resolved it somehow Well I hope this bow gets "straightened out" for you and I'm very interested in the post op outcome here. And I hope it doesnt at all change it's shooting characteristics if indeed you like how it shoots presently.

Think we tend to overthink these things a little too much. If everyone realized how many flaws there were in hand crafted bows no one would want to shoot them. We're shooting at targets 20 yards and under, most of these issues don't make any difference at all.

Kirkll · July 18, 2026, 12:18:36 PM

Typically it's very rare to have a deep core glass backed long bow have any limb twist issues unless the form itself has a twist in it. i don't build the ASL designs myself, but have had issues in the past having a form twist on me on my R/D long bows. THAT... will drive a bowyer nuts trying to get it tracking straight. Everything is perfectly straight during the profile stage, and it looks good at brace height, but the limbs twist slightly when drawing the bow. If it twists outwards away from the shelf, i wouldn't even mess with it. Just shoot it. But it it twists towards the strike plate it can drive you nuts trying to tune arrows.

Bottom line is that if the bow has "developed" a twist over time, it can typically be straightened out. If it came out of the form twisted, you are out of luck. i wouldn't think cutting a bow down in length is going to accomplish anything. And deepening the sting notches to get it tracking straight during the draw will leave it out of alignment at brace. it's a no win situation.

.02 cents worth... Kirk

Wudstix · July 31, 2026, 10:14:09 PM

This has been very educational.