Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jayman448 on December 05, 2016, 09:05:35 pm
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just wondering for comparison what yall brace your bows at? i just watched a video that recommended a rather low brace height for primitive bows. what are your thoughts on the matter?
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I just usually go with a fistmele brace height.
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Wherever the bow shoots best.
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I usually go with my fistmele also and adjust if necessary...but usually it's not necessary.
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6,5" from the belly to the string, fistmele doesn't work for me as I have small hands.
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Fistmele has always worked for Me on Selfbows. Bob
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Fistmele more or less which is 5 1/2 to 6 seems to work for me on most bows. :)
Pappy
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Fistmele or just slightly more for me
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Between 5 and 6 inches works well on all the bows I've made. My fistmele is 6 3/4... too much for a wood bow but perfect for my Turkish bow.
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OK the shooters talk.....lol.Yep 5 and 3/8" to 5 and 3/4" in otherwords the lowest it will shoot at full draw without affecting the arrow flight any.Usually mine always settle in shooting the best at 5 and 1/2".From belly on handle to the string knock.My fistmele is to my thumb joint to get that height then with my hands.
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Anybody else notice that most self bows will handle a 1", or more, variance in brace and shoot all the same?
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If I wanted to use 7", what would be different? Would I need a longer or wider bow for the same draw length?
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Makes sense then loon yea.
Different subject here but related though too.I think all shooters of self bows find a way to get away from the preverbial string slap on the wrist by the way they hold the bow.Personally nowadays most times I don't think I need a arm guard but still use it though because my form can take a vacation at times.....lol.
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I start at fletch clearing distance and increase as needed.
I know the brace height is too low when the arrow hits the bow on release but be aware that sound may be caused by too stiff an arrow.
Usually my brace is ends up at 7.25 to 7.5 in as measured from string to back of handle.
Jawge
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Usually brace height is measured from string to the part of the handle closest to the back? ("deepest")
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Correct.
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OK to clear the supposed fog here loon my brace from the back of the handle to string is usually 7 to 7.25".My fistmele measurement is the distance from the belly of the handle to the string and that's around 5.50 inches on my bows.
All kinds of improper noises can happen with too low of a brace.You'll see it on the flight of the arrow opposed to a normal flight.
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I'm right about where Ed is. I like it from fistmele down to where it won't slap my wrist or mess with my fletching. I use 4 1/2" fletch and don't even own a wrist guard although there have been a few times I'd wished I was wearing one. lol.
Bjrogg
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the lowest brace that shoots well,, puts less strain on your bow,,
most bows will handle a higher brace and shoot well,,,,, but is may cause more set than you like ,,,
the lower brace will also usually have a bit better cast,, nothing dramatic,, but a chrono can detect it,,
if you want to brace your bow higher,, designing it for that would be a good idea,,
I think Tim Baker had a formula, that every inch increase in brace was the equivilent of drawing the bow 2 more inches,,something like that,,
if I am getting perfect arrow flight,, I feel like the brace height is good,, the arrow flight and the way the bow is shooting dictates the brace for me,,and it change a bit with the spine arrow I am shooting etc ect etc,,for example,, if you are shooting a lighter spine arrow,, a lower brace might work,, than if the arrow is a bit over spined,, calling for a slightly higher brace,, :)
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LOL. I just asked my bowyer and he said I could measure it from string to the back of the handle if I wanted to. :)
Jawge
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That's good George....lol.
brad...I don't remember reading that formula by Tim Baker.Makes sense though.Maybe I make too many of the same kind of bows to change my brace heights any but hav'nt seen that make any difference either.Too high to me just does'nt make any sense anyway.
I sure hope jayman can shoot worry free now......lol.
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5 1/2" works best on my bows,,,they dont need more brace height to shoot straight, so why stress the bow more, and why decrease the distance the string drives the arrow for..? every little bit helps!!!
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6'' -6.5'' is what I usually shoot for because I use 5.5'' fletchings but 7.5'' brace has proved tack driving accurate in one of my bows but at an increase in set, a compromise I am willing to make if the bow is to be used for small game. Use the lowest possible brace height with acceptable accuracy.
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I am with Pearl, haven't noticed much difference in 1/2 to 3/4 inch either way so My bowyer said it was OK to stay with my fistmele about 5 3/4 to 6. Jawges I like that, ;) I may use it again. :) :)
Pappy
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Considering our fistemele is based on hand size and our hand length can vary by 2" or more, Id say the fistmele method is vague at best! Mine is close to 6.5, BJ's is 5.5", both bows are tuned.
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Go ahead, Pappy. You know all of us who can craft our own bows are blessed. I know it gives me a sense of independence.
Jawge
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I fired my bowyer! He broke 2 in a row and I wont stand for that. :)
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PD, your bowyer is a darn good one. :)
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Was, Jawgey poo, was. I fired him and I hear he went to work for Simon das German in Bavaria :)
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Ya I have fired mine a few times over the years, but always feel sorry for him and bring him back. Good help is hard to find. ::) ;) ;D ;D
Pappy
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My bowyer is about to start an osage bow ... just 'cause he can.
He tells me it's kind of cold to go outside much for hunting though he'll force himself probably Friday.
The last bow he made for me took about 3 weeks. He'd starve trying to do this for a living.
He works for room and board and sometimes fixes things.
I guess he's tolerable. :)
Jawge
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That sounds a lot like mine Jawges. :o
Pappy
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my bowyer wants a raise,, hmmm :)
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I just usually go with a fistmele brace height.
+2 maybe even an 1/8" more. Some of us have bigger hands. :D
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"My Bowyer" (G. Tsoukalas, PA 2016), has to feed a 10 month old future bowyer every 30 minutes, so he gets nothing done.
Eric
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High Dessert, you are getting something very important done.
My wife and I, along with my parents, raised 2 daughters.
Those were the best days of my life.
Jawge
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The little ones really are a lot of fun, even tho they do limit project time. I am fortunate enough that he gets to spend some time in the shop with me. He "helped" me build his mom's bow for our anniversary. He's very entertained by my activities in the shop.
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High-Desert,
Take it from an old guy.........
Cherish those times with the youngens they go by really fast.......;)
DBar
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Well, you guys have helped clear that up for me. I just need to stop using my fistmele and get someone smaller. 7"+ isn't gonna work on all bows.
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Just do it to the first knuckle.
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Edward, remember I measure from string to back of handle.
I make my bows around 64-66 in long nock to nock.
What works, as I and others mentioned, is to keep the bow at the lowest possible brace height measurement at which good arrow flight is achieved.
Jawge
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Well, you guys have helped clear that up for me. I just need to stop using my fistmele and get someone smaller. 7"+ isn't gonna work on all bows.
My fistmele is roughly 6 1/4 - 6 1/2". This works best for me and does not overly stress the bow.
I had one bow with over 600 shots, I built a new string and over twisted it, so the brace height was slightly over 7". After 50 shots it broke. >:(
On a good note the break was so very subtle, not abrupt the least bit. It was backed with Linen which was still intact. :)
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The little ones really are a lot of fun, even tho they do limit project time. I am fortunate enough that he gets to spend some time in the shop with me. He "helped" me build his mom's bow for our anniversary. He's very entertained by my activities in the shop.
I've got a 4 and 5 year old (10.5 months apart :o). My son loves to sand the bows and my daughter loves to clean up the wood shavings- two things I dread! Eric- just imagine your wife having another baby right now!