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Does recurving a self-bow help with performance?

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mmattockx:

--- Quote from: Tommy D on November 18, 2022, 12:26:35 pm ---I know that this is one of those questions where someone can invariably say “It depends … on the wood, the tiller, the mass etc…”

So let’s just say you execute everything perfectly with great bow wood …. Does recurving a self bow gain you significant performance?

Or would heat treating a bow into a reflex deflex profile be more appropriate/ easier to execute?

--- End quote ---

I might as well throw my $0.02 in as well...

The biggest indicator of performance (in terms of energy storage, which is the potential performance) seems to be where the tips are in relation to the handle. The farther forward the tips, the more energy is stored. So, if you keep the tips in the same location how they get there doesn't seem to matter that much. Whether you reflex the whole limb or use recurve tips or an R/D profile the end result will be similar and will result in similar stresses in the bow. They won't be identical, but they will be all in the same ballpark.

What recurves mostly do is provide a smoother draw with less stacking, which can be a significant benefit all on its own. A lot of people also like the look of recurves and there is nothing wrong with caring about the aesthetics of your bow design as well as the performance.


Mark

Selfbowman:

--- Quote from: BowEd on November 30, 2022, 10:29:14 am ---Putting enough width on the inner limbs to handle it is the key far as I'm concerned.Holding reflex over the long haul takes a lot of practice.
The outer limbs don't don't need the width as they don't carry the load as much at full draw.
For flat bows the width opens the arrow pass channel to being more center shot.
Can't explain it any better than that.
Pushing the envelope on bows is when you find out the differences between woods and the differences within it's own species.
It's been said before many times.While tillering listening to the wood.
Of course it's not always a success,but making the same thing over and over does not teach you more either.

Spot on Ed!
When attempting these adventures a certain amount of self initiative is needed.You can't be afraid to fail.

--- End quote ---

BowEd:
After reading Jim Hamms' thoughts years ago and after making them I believe it is true.
Getting the best of both worlds with wood in a long bow and a recurve a 62" to 64" bow fits.
With the recurves getting shorter as the bow becomes shorter overall.

Gordon:
I've made a handful of recurve bows and frankly I haven't discerned any performance improvement over my go to design which is a straight bow with slightly reflexed tips. That said, recurves are helpful in reducing stack when building very short bows. A nicely executed recurve bow is easy to look at.

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