Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Justin Snyder on February 01, 2008, 12:25:49 pm
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I keep hearing about how long bows are "man tall." I have never made a bow that is as tall as me. In fact I am 75" tall and the longest bow I have made is 66". Anyone beside me never made a bow as tall as them? What is the tallest bow you have made? Justin
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70", I do like to start em long that whack em down to size.
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If you figure that the tips of your fingers, stretched out to the side are the same distance as your height, full draw would be almost 1/2 that distance. For wood bows, about 9/10th broken. ;)
I am 68" tall and have made bows 70". I have an ash bow I started that is 75 or 76" tall. Pat
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Pat, I figure the draw will be about 2/5 of your height. I need to make at least one just to do it. Justin
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There are a few things that might have changed since that rule of thumb was invoked.
One, we've gotten taller as a people. Justin you're proof of that. By itself that wouldn't make any difference though, since theoretically we would still have the same geometry.
Two, we anchor farther forward than was popular back then. Corner of the mouth instead of the back of the ear. So as a percentage of our height, I think our draw length per unit height might be about the same as a short Englishman in the Middle Ages.
Three, we aren't going to die if our bow breaks. Being in a battle with a bow, I'd want a good safe design too.
Four, we have brought design along nicely from the ELBs and flatbows of old. Better woods, sometimes maybe better craftsmanship too. Not that there weren't great bows made back in the old days, but if you were arming an army I don't think you were taking as much time with each unit. Even Bear Archery has a certain rate of failure and thats with modern materials. Of course, they had simplicity of design and materials in their favor.
Just some thoughts. I certainly agree that a bow needn't be as tall as you.
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Very astute thoughts Lennie. By using the formula in TBB of 67" for 28" draw +2 for every additional inch of draw, you would come in far under man tall with the forward anchor. Mine for example would be 71" and still shorter than me. Justin
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All of mine are taller than me. ;) ;D ;D
Pappy
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My long bows are taller than me (70"-72")......I'm 68". I made them back when I was into reenacting the middle ages. They are sweet shooters but a little too cumbersome.
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Two inches shorter than me (70"), for my 27" draw. Longer results in too much handshockl for my liking :P
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I am 6 foot or 72" inches tall, the longest bow I've ever made is 74" long, but I prefer 64" or shorter.
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Pappy you'd have to use sinew on a bow shorter than you. >:D
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....Iam 74 " tall. Made a bow once that was 80 " Was thinkin' about sinewin' it :o Just kiddin' ! Bow shot well and even took game was like carrying a javelin though.....bob
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All of mine are taller than me. ;) ;D ;D
Pappy
My arrows may be taller than you. :o OK sorry, that wasn't nice. I wasn't going to make any short comments when I started this but you brought it up. Justin
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Good thread Justin, I've often pondered those thoughts as well, Somehow I had not pictured you that tall. I'm only 65" so I guess that why I like the little shorties. Now I know why you thoughts those staves I sent wre so short,,,,,LOL,, ;D ;) Maybe it would be best just to send the whole tree,, ;D :D ;D Keenan
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Personal tastes and use matter more than perhaps anything else. I've made 84" bows and 58" bows both drawing 30". The long one could also be a mean club, and the short one is good in the brush..
Most of my favorites are a touch longer than myself 68-70"...
Rich-good post Lennie!
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I like mine around my height or about 2" shorter. I'm 66" tall.
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The longest bow I've made was 70 in. I'm taller than that. Though when I've made bows for my wife and my daughter 'v emade them woman tall. Jawge
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I am 72" tall. The second bow I ever made was 75". It came in at about 35#@28". This was before I had a scale and I didn't yet know How to judge the weight by feel. Since then, I've chopped it down to 68" and it draws 46#@28". Right now I'm working on a Maple board bow that is 72" long, but that is only because it is a narrow board, and it doesn't have the greatest grain orientation.
Dale.
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The first bow I ever made was 65" ntn. Most since have been from 56"-62". I shoot something around 62" best. I think that's a good compromise, not too short for a 27" draw, yet not so long that it's cumbersome.
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Though when I've made bows for my wife and my daughter 'v emade them woman tall. Jawge
:D :D :D :D
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I'm 72( Math) inches long and my bows always end up stuck at 68" I guess I'm obsessed with the number 68.
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12 inches is one foot, right?? - sorry, i'm metric...
pappy: don't let them jump on you! ;D - my grandpa who was two heads shorter then me always said: 'size doesn't matter or a cow would catch a rabbit!'
frank
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Yes Frank, 12" is a foot. I am 6'3" tall, or 190.5cm if you prefer. ;) Justin
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hey justin, me too, 6'3" same as you. so man tall would be 73"; that's a big bow...
frank
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75" tall bow Frank. Yes very big, probably why I never made one. ;D
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SEE!!! told you...can only count up to 4! - need a crow to calculate for me...
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:D :D :D
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Arrows taller. ;D ;D ;D that's a good one justin,Also thanks Lennie.
Pappy