Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Hickoryswitch on December 25, 2008, 11:33:26 pm

Title: bow performance question?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on December 25, 2008, 11:33:26 pm

I just finished a hickory r/d that is 62" ntn and 50 lbs @26". The bow is only 1 1/2" wide has stiff handle and the last 10" of the tips are narrowed alot. It is rawhide backed and tempered belly. This bow should have a good deal of string follow but for some reason does not. Shouldn't it?  So I was wonderin why not? Just unstrung the tips are about even with the handle and an hour later 1/2" or so past it. I've built several overbuilt bows that followed the string more than this even with belly tempering. What gives? Thanks ahead of time guys.

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Pat B on December 26, 2008, 01:38:33 am

   Tempering the belly probably  has a bunch to do with it and dry winter conditions help too, especially with hickory.        Pat

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 26, 2008, 02:22:29 am

R/D....  The deflex is there to take some of the strain off the wood that a straight or reflexed bow would have.  Sounds like it worked.  ;)

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: dragonman on December 26, 2008, 02:43:11 pm

 I dont know much about raw hide backings but do  have experience with hickory,  and i would say that it must be the backing keeping the bow reflexed  . It must have shrunk nicely as it dried and now takes a lot of the tension off the wood, ( i could be wrong though) Very interesting, because i've been considering rawhide backings for a while

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Badger on December 26, 2008, 02:47:44 pm

   I would suspect that your winter weather is pretty dry. Hickory can vary quite a bit in density also, you may have a slightly denser than normal stave. Steve

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Kegan on December 26, 2008, 08:03:22 pm

Quote from: Badger on December 26, 2008, 02:47:44 pm

   I would suspect that your winter weather is pretty dry. Hickory can vary quite a bit in density also, you may have a slightly denser than normal stave. Steve

I'm with Badger- really dry hickory can do some wicked things :).

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Hickoryswitch on December 26, 2008, 08:52:32 pm

I just hope the rest of the staves do as well asa this one did. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. I think this is the fastest shooter I've made yet. Too bad I don't get to keep it.

Title: Re: bow performance question?
Post by: Fundin on January 15, 2009, 03:49:56 pm

A same dimensions hickory bow designed as per Badgers formula may end up perfect with low set from 30-60# in my experience, alrge variation in quality of hickory, also as mentioned earlier, dry conditions can really make it shine.