Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: paulc on April 07, 2019, 09:41:58 am
-
Can someone talk about what you take into consideration when deciding which end is up?
On my hickory bow one limb seems to bend a bit less than the other...should it be up or down and why?
Thanks, Paul
-
Paul, I've had bowyers tell me they build their bows the way the wood came from the tree, bottom limb from the butt end of the stave. Whether that is necessary I'm not sure. Generally speaking the stiffer limb would go at the bottom.
I build symmetrical bows with the center of the handle the center of the bow. I also don't shape the handle until late in the process so the top/bottom limb can be determined later in the process.
-
Ditto Pat B. I will say that this topic came up some time back, as to which limb goes where, especially as it applies to character. Seems most folks agreed that they placed the most character rich limbs on the bottom. I do as well. Not sure why frankly. Stronger limb on the bottom is good advice I think.
-
Funny, I do it opposite. I like the limb with the most character on top, where I can see it, then try to tiller accordingly. Also, my string seldom goes dead center down the handle, so I also choose the top limb by which one creates a more center shot design
-
Stiffest and cleanest limb at the bottom for me.
Del
-
What Dell said. Jawge
-
Go figure. :) May be I'm misremembering the responses. Been a while back so maybe. I dont know that I had given it much thought up until that point. At my advanced age.....
-
Paul, I've had bowyers tell me they build their bows the way the wood came from the tree, bottom limb from the butt end of the stave. Whether that is necessary I'm not sure. Generally speaking the stiffer limb would go at the bottom.
Yes
Stiffest and cleanest limb at the bottom for me.
Del
Also yes!
The bottom limb usually being a tad short takes a bit more stress therefore the cleanest limb should be the bottom one.
But if it’s a sapling or branch bow I can’t help but make it upright so that the little features like knots and twig nubs orient the proper direction.
-
Im not sure why but natural deflex limbs seem to be stronger and reflex limbs seem to be a bit weaker.it doesn't make sense but I have noticed it in my elm bows
-
I like to shoot the bow,, and put the limb on top that is easiest to shoot, with good arrow flight,, that being said,, I agree, the strongest limb on bottom usually,, but if it shoots better ,, the other way, I will go with that,, and shape the handle to go with,, I will usually put the reflex limb on top.. I have noticed ,, sometimes they shift a bit,, making it the weaker,,
-
Sounds like the answer is “depends”.....
😀 Thanks, Paul
-
Yea thats what things like this usually are like, too many answers to find the fact. (+1 for del) >:D
-
My deciding factor is which side of handle the string favors. I like my bows to lean towards or be center shot. Makes tuning arrows much easier and getting good flight. I always tiller my bottom limb a 1/8 to a 1/4" stiff. I make my decision at first brace.
-
Why the stiffer limb on bottom? Paul
-
More pressure is put on the lower limb as the bow is drawn.
-
Is there?
I'd say there's more pressure on the lower limb only if it were tillered to be that way.
-
yes the way the string lines up,, is a factor,, for sure
-
bottom limb stiffer for me plus 1 1/2 shorter... why..? cause you put palm pressure below center when drawn...fulcrum is not dead center when drawn unless your arrow pass is through your hand... unlikely... arrow sits above center 1 1/4.. if built correctly... I know its a hot topic... but its how I build mine...gut
-
if it shoots well
and the tiller stays stable,,you are good,, how ever you do it,,
some peoplel hold the bow differently,, and also put different pressure on the string,,
most the time if I have a bow that is not stabalized,,,it will be the bottom limb loosing positive tiller
it seems to be more critical on shorter sinew bows,,
so I am not shocked if that happens,,
I think the longer self bows once shot in are pretty stable, and I sometimes wonder when we see a bow from the past with a shorter bottom limb,, did that happen to even up the tiller,, or did it start that way??
-
Equal limb length means I can flip the bow over if I need to. As a rule, stiffer limb on bottom. There have been a few that I have flipped over and tried it reverse from the way I envisioned it. It has seldom, made much difference in improving how it shot. Never that immediately comes to mind.
-
For me string alignment is the first factor. I've found even after using heat to adjust it, it may creep back after a while.
If that happens, I want the string to favour the shooting side.
If string alignment is perfect, I go with stiff limb as the lower one.
-
Found this during lunch...