Primitive Archer

* Identical front profile, optimized for even stress distribution along the limbs.
* Taper rate 0.008

Usually you have to adjust taper to suit the front profile and side profile of a bow. Keeping them constant isn't typically optimal between designs. What front profile did you use? I stuck with a pyramid profile as it was easiest to get the stresses even along the limb and it never needed as much taper as you have, I was always around 0.003"-0.004" to get everything even on stresses.

So, which shape is the best? By best, I mean the fastest and the one that stores the most energy. Why? Which design performs the worst, and why?

Best will most likely be whichever one has the highest string tension at brace. Worst would be the lowest tension at brace.

I never considered a side profile like #2, I mostly stuck with circular reflex similar to #3. How does #2 compare to #3 on an F-d chart? It would be much easier to build #2 the way I was doing it.

#5 gave the smoothest draw curve for me, with a lot of early weight and no stacking. How does it look in your model?

Building a selfbow and achieving the spec are a challenge to say the least.

Yes it is. You need to be within 0.005" on the thickness at worst and it is hard to do that on a stave or board bow, especially if there is much thickness taper.

Laminate bows would probably be much easier.

I found that it was. I still ended up over thickness a bit, but that is better than under.

I do think that if the properties are put into the computer and the builder matches the dimensions it will turn out as predicted.

That was my experience with the two I did based on a model.


Mark

Hadn't been hunting much with my shoulder problem but decided to go Saturday morning before the Doctors tell me not to :)Got to meet with him Wednesday so figured this might be my last chance. Cold morning and the deer were really moving, seen 14 in all, have done kill my bucks, so doe only. This one came in with a 4 others, 9 yards and made a good shot, double lung and top of heart, ran 60 yards and I seen her go down, all over in seconds, don't always go that way but has been a good year. 87 lb. doe, shot with my old trusty Osage, spruce arrow and 160 ace head. Freezer is filling up.
 Pappy

We had our TwinOaks annual squirrel hunt Saturday, killed 26 squirrels , Will Harrison won with 7 head shots. Lots of fun and fellowship.
 Pappy

Some bow work Saturday evening and brats and fresh inner loin from my doe, yum yum. 
 Pappy

Was a cold weekend so lots of fire time and shooting the bull.
 Pappy