Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jakesnyder on August 11, 2021, 09:56:52 pm

Title: Handle question?
Post by: Jakesnyder on August 11, 2021, 09:56:52 pm
What is the skinniest you can go with a handle? Is 3/4" too narrow? Thanks
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Russ on August 11, 2021, 11:51:22 pm
i think 3/4" is workable. Id say that once the handle becomes uncomfortable, its too thin. (within reason obviously, and accounting for wheather or not its a bend in handle or stiff handle)
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Woody roberts on August 12, 2021, 12:38:32 am
I personally like a 3/4” handle.
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: osage outlaw on August 12, 2021, 09:29:09 pm
How much depth in that area?
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Jakesnyder on August 12, 2021, 09:48:55 pm
1.5" deep
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: mmattockx on August 13, 2021, 11:03:20 am
What is the skinniest you can go with a handle? Is 3/4" too narrow? Thanks

1.5" deep

Is your question about the minimum structure you can have or about how narrow becomes uncomfortable?


Mark
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Jakesnyder on August 13, 2021, 05:49:47 pm
How skinny it can be and still have structural integrity
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: mmattockx on August 13, 2021, 10:17:45 pm
How skinny it can be and still have structural integrity

Ok. What kind of draw weight and is it a rigid handle or bendy?


Mark
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Jakesnyder on August 13, 2021, 10:19:15 pm
Ridged handle and 60lbs
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Hamish on August 13, 2021, 10:33:38 pm

Why would you make it only 3/4" wide? You could easily leave more meat on the opposite side of the arrow pass, and the fade. Just have an offset grip, to allow the same distance on the side with the, arrow pass as if it was 3/4". You get all the benefits without any potential weakness.
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Selfbowman on August 13, 2021, 11:12:57 pm
I usually cut to the center of the bow for a shelf if the stave allows . Usually leaving 1/1-4 to 1/1-2 leaving 5/8 to 3/4 at the window. I hate calling it that but it is a window of a sort. That should take care of the 60# bow.
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: mmattockx on August 14, 2021, 12:01:32 am
Ridged handle and 60lbs

I wouldn't be brave enough to only leave 3/4" on a 60lb bow. I'm with Hamish, I would build out the side where the arrow pass/shelf/window is cut in (assuming you are talking about cutting in a shelf) to leave more wood. For a 60lb bow with only 1.5" thickness there I wouldn't reduce it much below 7/8"-1".


Mark
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Selfbowman on August 14, 2021, 12:25:19 am
Mark look at the scales weight. That’s a 100 pound long bow handle. It’s bigger than the pic appears. But still only 1-3/4 thick at the throat . Guessing. Maybe 1” wide . But it’s Osage. Its going to send a arrow a long ways. Stay tuned.😁😁😁😁
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Selfbowman on August 14, 2021, 12:40:23 am
Fifty pound bow
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: mmattockx on August 14, 2021, 01:39:01 am
Fifty pound bow

Looks like OP has his answer in this pic. There is nothing like experience to know where the margins are.


Mark
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: BowEd on August 14, 2021, 09:28:53 am
General rule of thumb about this is twice the depth as the width.Personally I've never had a handle brake even with bows up to 65#'s going as narrow as 5/8" wide arrow pass and at least 1 and 1/4" depth.
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: scp on August 14, 2021, 11:42:18 am
Fifty pound bow
Looks like OP has his answer in this pic. There is nothing like experience to know where the margins are.

Mark

What? No math? ;)

What would be the minimum dimensions for absolutely no bending movement there?
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: mmattockx on August 14, 2021, 12:39:24 pm
What? No math? ;)

Not when Arvin already has the answer in hand...  :D

I'm too busy at the moment to run numbers for OP, but it would be the more precise way to do it. The calcs are basic structural work and not too involved.


What would be the minimum dimensions for absolutely no bending movement there?

No matter how thick you make it there is always deflection under load, it just gets hard to see or measure. You have to define how large the deflections can be and still be considered 'stiff'. This is something that needs calculation if you want a precise answer, but I would say making the handle area 2.5-3x as thick as the base of the limb will get you in the ballpark.


Mark
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on August 14, 2021, 11:20:20 pm
Narrowest I’ve gone was 3/4” wide and 1.5” deep on a 70# recurve. No issues at all and felt just fine to my hands. I’ve started to settle on 7/8” before the handle wrap and about 1 3/8” deep with a straight grip and 1 1/2” deep with a contoured grip.

Kyle
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: bownarra on August 15, 2021, 02:27:21 am
Bows can and do fail if you go too narrow.....There is a reason most centershot or past glass bows have I-beams in the risers. A sight window is almost the definition of a stress riser.
Title: Re: Handle question?
Post by: Selfbowman on August 15, 2021, 09:15:11 pm
This does not need the be overthought. Everyone has been right. If you are worried  just leave more meet on the opposite side of the window and put a small twist in the handle. This will also let you have a lower brace if you like.