Main Discussion Area > Bows
The best shape for a reflexed bow?
bjrogg:
Interesting question.
I’m not a number guy. And like already mentioned. Materials make a difference. And designs are high stress.
I’m guessing the program is with zero set?
I personally like shooting number 5 . I have a short draw though and I like the early string tension. It seems smoother at full draw also, but maybe that’s less stored energy?
I think if you could keep all the reflex with zero set the one with reflex all in handle seems like it might have the most energy?
I will be watching (-P
I want to know
Bjrogg
bassman211:
All the shapes you show lack set, so that is a plus to begin with, and any one of them would make a fine hunting bow. I can confirm that. If you are shooting to make a wood flight bow maybe non of the above. If chrony numbers count, and all else being equal long sloping narrow recurved tips with very little deflex in the limbs that ended up with 2.5 inches of reflex is the fastest 35 lb. bow that I have made to date. With a 355 gr arrow at 25 inches of draw the bow shot from 158 to 162 through a chrony. You make fine looking heavy bows, and some laminate, so I can't speak to that. JME
Selfbowman:
Having built only two computer design bows I will say this. Building a selfbow and achieving the spec are a challenge to say the least. The crown gets me every time. I built the second one by the dimensions and the force draw and bend profile. Laminate bows would probably be much easier. The next one build I will build it as close to the dimensions as possible before I put a string on the bow. I know I’m not going to be as perfect as the computer but I will have not stressed the wood in any way. The other trick will be matching the properties for the design. Since I know nothing about computer design I have to leave that to the smart guys. I do think that if the properties are put into the computer and the builder matches the dimensions it will turn out as predicted. That’s a lot to expect from a Texas cowboy.🤠🤠
Bob Barnes:
Since you are talking about laminated bows, I prefer #6. I think a bamboo backed osage or ipe, or a tri-lam is made for that deflex/reflex design. It makes an exceptional hunting bow that shoots as well as (or better) any glass bow.
mmattockx:
--- Quote from: Tuomo on December 07, 2025, 08:53:17 am ---* Identical front profile, optimized for even stress distribution along the limbs.
* Taper rate 0.008
--- End quote ---
Usually you have to adjust taper to suit the front profile and side profile of a bow. Keeping them constant isn't typically optimal between designs. What front profile did you use? I stuck with a pyramid profile as it was easiest to get the stresses even along the limb and it never needed as much taper as you have, I was always around 0.003"-0.004" to get everything even on stresses.
--- Quote from: Tuomo on December 07, 2025, 08:53:17 am ---So, which shape is the best? By best, I mean the fastest and the one that stores the most energy. Why? Which design performs the worst, and why?
--- End quote ---
Best will most likely be whichever one has the highest string tension at brace. Worst would be the lowest tension at brace.
I never considered a side profile like #2, I mostly stuck with circular reflex similar to #3. How does #2 compare to #3 on an F-d chart? It would be much easier to build #2 the way I was doing it.
#5 gave the smoothest draw curve for me, with a lot of early weight and no stacking. How does it look in your model?
--- Quote from: Selfbowman on December 07, 2025, 07:56:03 pm ---Building a selfbow and achieving the spec are a challenge to say the least.
--- End quote ---
Yes it is. You need to be within 0.005" on the thickness at worst and it is hard to do that on a stave or board bow, especially if there is much thickness taper.
--- Quote from: Selfbowman on December 07, 2025, 07:56:03 pm ---Laminate bows would probably be much easier.
--- End quote ---
I found that it was. I still ended up over thickness a bit, but that is better than under.
--- Quote from: Selfbowman on December 07, 2025, 07:56:03 pm ---I do think that if the properties are put into the computer and the builder matches the dimensions it will turn out as predicted.
--- End quote ---
That was my experience with the two I did based on a model.
Mark
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version