Author Topic: Question on short reflex deflex bows  (Read 13862 times)

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Offline Eric Garza

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Question on short reflex deflex bows
« on: September 24, 2020, 10:56:33 am »
I finished my first deflex-reflex self bow the other day. It was made of hickory and is 67 inches tip to tip. It draws 50 pounds at 25 inches (I use a floating anchor, so have no need for the bow to draw a full 28 inches), and does not feel that heavy at full draw. It turned out okay, though there are many things I will do differently when I tackle my second d-r bow.

With that in mind, I am curious if the d-r design adapts well to shorter self bows. I recall that Marc St Louis posted years ago about a short bamboo-backed yew d-r bow that he felt did not perform all that well. Any other data points out there? By short, I am thinking in the 50-60 inch range. My next project will probably be a 55 inch bow, and I might invest the time to make it a deflex-reflex if it seems like the performance benefits hold at that short length.

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2020, 11:18:23 am »
I enjoy just straight reflex,, maybe I am lazy and its a bit easier to make,, and shoots fine for me,,even in the shorter 50 inch versions,,sinew backed,, Im sure the reflex deflex would be great, I dont think there would be alot of difference in performance cast wise,, but others that make that design can chime in,,

Offline willie

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2020, 11:51:08 am »
Brad,
is there a case to be made for deflex in the design to help get a decent brace height with a 55" reflexed hickory bow?

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2020, 11:52:19 am »
 im sure there is, and feel like I have read that, I just dont have experience with it,,or  have not tested that design,,the brace height has never been an issue for me,,and I love to shoot short bows
  I remember DC posted some graphs that showed string angle on rd  ,, and there was a good discussion on that thread,,
« Last Edit: September 24, 2020, 12:21:30 pm by bradsmith2010 »

Offline DC

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2020, 11:53:55 am »
I just finished a 52" RD that is about 35#@25". I think it was 187@10gpp. I used the same caul I use for the 66" bows, I just slid it out to the end. I think all the R cancelled out most of the D. Think the short ones need their own caul. :D I'm going to do some comparison testing with short drawing my 50#@28" bow this afternoon. I'll post the results.
Sorry for the blurry pic but you can see the shape.

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #5 on: September 24, 2020, 12:23:49 pm »
that seems very effecient for the 25 inch draw,, I remember a full draw curve you did with the longer bow, and I think it was like 175 for 24 or 25 inch draw,,since the bow was not designed for that draw I thought it was great,, I think that bow went to 200 fps with the 28 inch draw
« Last Edit: September 24, 2020, 12:28:59 pm by bradsmith2010 »

Offline DC

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #6 on: September 24, 2020, 12:33:14 pm »
I'm thinking that the little bow should be faster up to a point as it has a lot lighter limbs. We'll see.

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2020, 12:44:46 pm »
I love the profile of the little bow, very graceful,,

Offline willie

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2020, 01:01:17 pm »
Quote
im sure there is, and feel like I have read that,

yes, I spoke a bit soon, sorry. Trying to do too many things at once today. and follow along. guessing my concern would matter if we knew a bit more.

Eric, what brace height and drawlength are you shooting for?

Offline DC

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #9 on: September 24, 2020, 01:03:10 pm »
Well so much for that. It was fine the other day and I did a little sanding(very little) and today one limb is way weak. Boy these things can be finicky. A weeks work and then one scrape too much and they're toast. I'll glue a splint on it just to see what could have been. Sorry no tests.

Offline willie

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2020, 01:43:21 pm »
 :(

Offline Eric Garza

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2020, 02:29:05 pm »
Eric, what brace height and drawlength are you shooting for?

I typically use a brace height of about 5 inches, and my draw length is 24-25 inches, depending on shooting position.

The bow DC showed looks sweet. I do not think I would try for that much reflex, but the idea of a 52-inch D-R bow intrigues me. That one looks like a laminate. Mine would be a self bow, probably made from either HHB or Osage.

Offline DC

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2020, 05:05:29 pm »
Yes it's Boo backed Yew. I've had difficulty getting selfbows to hold enough reflex for the speeds that I'm after.

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2020, 06:00:32 pm »
yes they are tricky,,

Offline Eric Garza

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Re: Question on short reflex deflex bows
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2020, 07:13:17 am »
Yes it's Boo backed Yew. I've had difficulty getting selfbows to hold enough reflex for the speeds that I'm after.

That is good to know.