56" vs 60" Silvertip Characteristics?

[dennis502]

I love my 60" Silvertip recurves, but after reading some posts on here about the 56" bows I am intrigued.

For those of you that own/have shot both, how does the 56" bow compare to the 60" bow (please don't reply with "it's shorter")?

Is there any increase/decrease in arrow speed, increased finger pinch, more/less stability, etc?

[Orion]

I don't have silver tips in those lengths, but do have Bear TDs.  The longer limbs are a bit smoother.  Not enough difference in performance to worry about.  The big difference for me is finger pinch.  I have a 28-inch draw and can feel a noticeable increase in finger pinch with the shorter bow.  I use it mostly for turkey hunting.  I practice with the longer bow, which is much more comfortable to shoot.  If your draw is 28 inches or shorter, a 56-inch bow will work, but finger pinch will be greater.  If your draw is longer than 28 inches, I wouldn't recommend a 56-inch bow.

Some folks will tell you they draw 30 plus inches on 56-inch bows, and they neither stack nor increase  finger pinch. Maybe I'm just more sensitive than most.  

[Michael Arnette]

I have shot Schafer bows from 56"-62" 65-75 lbs 28-29" draw and much prefer the 58-60" bows. It's a good compromise between maneuverability and accuracy/stability. My form just isn't good enough to shoot anything less than 58-60" well.
I think you'll be happier with the accuracy you can have using the 60"

[joe vt]

It's interesting that ST website doesn't even list the 56" T/D recurve.  And the recommended draw length for the 58" is 25-27.5"  This coming from the bowyer suggests something.


I happen to own a 58" ST and I draw 28"  On it's own, compared to no other bow, I don't notice any stacking or increase finger pinching. Comparing it side by side with my 62" Morrison is when I can feel the difference.

[Danny Rowan]

I own Silvertips from 56" to 62", love them all and I really love my 56" and shoot it the most often. I draw 29" and it is smooth and quick. Dave has it down to a science in my humble opinion. As far as comparing to the 60", I notice no difference between any of my Tips, shoot them all just as well and same arrow out of them all.

[Michael Arnette]

Danny! You're form must be better than mine lol. Can't go wrong with a Schafer regardless

[McDave]

I have a 58" Silvertip takedown, and discussed with Dave before buying it whether it would work with my 28" draw.  It was one of the off the rack bows they offer from time to time, although not lately; at present, I think he's plenty busy making bows to order.  I probably would never have ordered a 58" custom bow, as that's a little shorter than I usually like, but it was beautiful, as all their bows are, and Dave said it would work fine with my 28" draw, but probably not with any longer draw length than that.  It does work fine with my 28" draw, and I've taken it on several hunts.

I would never order a shorter one than my 58" with the same riser design for a 28" draw.  I know it is possible to design a shorter bow that will pull smoothly to 28" with a shorter riser that allows proportionately longer working limbs. The Robertson Wolfer is an example of this, and I'm sure there are many others. The Wolfer is a 58" bow, but it is rated to draw to 30" I believe, due to the short riser and relatively long working limbs.

That said, I would discuss it with Dave and would believe whatever he tells me.  After all, it's his reputation on the line, not ours.

[Danny Rowan]

Dave's 56" has a 14" riser, the 58" has a 15" riser. The 60 and 62" has a 17" riser depending on if ordered with the short or long limbs and he also makes a 19" riser that will make a 62" bow with the short limbs and 64" with the long limbs. The one he is building me right now will have a 14" riser with the long limbs and will turn out at 58" if I remember correctly.

[stagetek]

I don't own Silvertips, but use a 56" Bear T/D for turkeys in a blind. I find I shoot better with the smoother 60-64" length's.

[KSCATTRAPR]

I never knew he made a 14" riser, any way you could post a photo of the bow? Thanks.

[md126]

I had 2 of Daves 56" bows. One I just couldn't get good arrow flight or shoot consistently at all. I tried everything. The other I shot great.  Who knows why????

I did find the grips on the shorter bows to fit my hand very well, especially the 56"

[Danny Rowan]

Here ya go KSCattrapr

[cacciatore]

Danny is this the one you and Keith were waiting?

[Danny Rowan]

No Felix,

This 56" one was made for me last year and I received it in June 2014, Took it to Texas last November and killed a turkey with it. Our new ones are being built right now.

[KSCATTRAPR]

Danny, thanks for posting the picture. Looks like a sharp little bow. Love that short little riser.

[Keith Zimmerman]

I see no difference in performance or shooting characteristics in the 56", 58", or 60" Silvertips.  I draw 29.5".  Even my 56" is smooth to my draw.  Ive never noticed any finger pinch at all.

[Kyle Lancaster]

I couldn't help but notice that this post was about Schafer Silvertips and not other bows. As knowledeable ST owners such as Danny and Keith indicate, Schafers are likely different in design with differing combinations of risers and limbs that may likely differ from other makes resulting in differing performance and finger pinch. In other words, comparisons to non-Schafer bows may be like comparing apples-to-oranges.

[pdk25]

That is good to know, Keith.  Unfortunately for me, I need at least the 15" riser to have enough of a site window for my shooting style.