Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: tomthumb on March 18, 2015, 12:41:32 pm

Title: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: tomthumb on March 18, 2015, 12:41:32 pm
Hello Folks,

1" up, 4" down.. These are the standard handle dimensions for a longbow, right?!..

Shooting 1" above the centre seems to make sense to me with a symmetrical bow, as I can see then you are pulling the bow back through the centre into the top of your hand, as opposed to over the top.

4" down; Is this for people with people with big hands?!.. My hand is just under 4" across; A 5" handle seems unnecessary then. This has been particularly evident when working shorter staves and having limited working limb length and trying to achieve standard draw lengths.

So, a handle 1" up, 3" down would presumably be better suited for myself, right? OR... Is there some specific reasons it is 1" up 4"down?

I'm sorry if this seems like a stupid question, but I thought it was worth asking the question before marking up a limb taper.

Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 18, 2015, 12:56:30 pm
My arrow passes are 2" above center on every bow.
Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: crooketarrow on March 18, 2015, 01:07:19 pm
  I also uselly make mine 2"s for a selfbow. If the person has big hands, where I make my handle 1/2 inch longer. I'll make my self 1/4" higher.
Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: Pat B on March 18, 2015, 01:28:17 pm
The way I learned was 1 3/4" up and 2 1/4" down from the center line.
Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: Bryce on March 18, 2015, 02:07:58 pm
From center. 1" up
From center. 3" down

4" handle
Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: bubby on March 18, 2015, 02:59:33 pm
I just find the center of the bow and go two inches each way for a four inch grip, on occasion i will go 1-1/4" up and from that mark measure 4" down but not often
Title: Re: Longbow Handle lengths?
Post by: huisme on March 18, 2015, 03:19:39 pm
From center. 1" up
From center. 3" down

4" handle

+1, and I usually do 1.5" fades for stiff handles, 3-4" fades if they're necessary in bendys.