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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: zze86 on January 10, 2012, 09:45:00 PM

Title: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: zze86 on January 10, 2012, 09:45:00 PM: Hello! I believe this is my first post so a little introduction. I just took up archery about 3 months ago and I chose to buy a 50lb Martin Jaguar takedown recurve, not the prettiest bow but I didn't want to spend big bucks on something I wasn't sure if I would like and I'm a poor college student. Everybody I know shoots compounds so I'm kind of on my own island but I didn't want to shoot compounds simply because of aesthetic reasons: the bows aren't as pretty and you don't look as cool shooting those as you do a traditional bow. :archer:

Turns out I really like it and I've been shooting pretty much everyday but I've come to believe that the bow is just too tall for me. I'm a short, small guy and at first I thought I'd become used to the length but after trying out a custom 48" bow I realize how much more comfortable my shooting would be if the bow was shorter.

Alas, I cannot afford a new custom T/D bow so I was thinking of chopping the limbs on the Martin down to make it shorter. Limbs for this bow are fairly cheap so I was thinking about buying an extra set of limbs and bringing it from a 60" bow down to 50"-52" bow. Has anybody done anything like this? Good idea/bad idea (other than the bow might blow up in your face)? Will the draw weight change? shooting characteristics change?

Sorry if this is not the right forum but thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Hot Hap on January 10, 2012, 10:03:00 PM: Hi there-Welcome-If you chop that much off those limbs you would probably add 30-40# to the draw weight. Hap
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: on January 10, 2012, 10:07:00 PM: umm,...thats probobly a bad idea. get a shorter bow.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: bryan r on January 10, 2012, 10:11:00 PM: Could do what I recently did and build yourself a short riser... In my opinion that would probably be a better option than chopping the limbs.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: flippnsticks on January 10, 2012, 10:12:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by arrow30:
umm,...thats probobly a bad idea. get a shorter bow.
X2 :scared:
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: TSchirm on January 10, 2012, 10:26:00 PM: If you don't mind my asking, how tall are you? I am only 5 08 or 09 and shoot a 62" recurve. At first I thought it was a little long, but it is smoother drawing than most shorter bows I ahve shot (although I must admit I haven't shot a lot of different short bows).
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: David Yukon on January 10, 2012, 10:34:00 PM: Sale that one and buy one of the classified for the sa,e price and get what you are looking for!!
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: AndrewArcher on January 10, 2012, 10:39:00 PM: Welcome, brother. Lots of good advice on here.

Not that I'm an expert, far from it. But bow size doesn't have everything to do with how comfortable the bow is to shoot. Granted, it does have a lot to do with it. But how the bow was crafted has much to do with whether its comfortable or not.

Was this bow a horse bow?

I wouldn't suggest getting smaller limbs. If it were me, I would ditch the bow you have now, and keep a close eye on the classifieds on here. Lots of good deals.

Again, welcome
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: kennym on January 10, 2012, 10:43:00 PM: If you cut 4 or 5 inches off each limb, you have eliminated much of the recurve , you now have a short really stiff semi straight limbed bow. I wouldn't do it.

Good advice on hitting the classifieds!
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Zradix on January 11, 2012, 08:37:00 AM: !!DON'T DO THAT!!

Either get used to the length or get another bow....

There are some great deals on used bows in the classys.

60" isn't all that long, but everybody's wants are different.

You might well find that a shorter bow isn't quite as comfortable to shoot.

Mostly because the string angle at your fingers when drawing gets tighter at full draw.

Don't be afraid to try something with a little less # either.

Maybe someone better educated on this bow will know of a shorter set of limbs that will work on your riser.

I do know that for a shorter set that much shorter you might be looking for 35-40# limbs
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: last arrow on January 11, 2012, 09:27:00 AM: I wouldn't do it. Three months into your shooting career is no time to start playing with extremes such as short bows or heavy bows. It will take you at least a year to develop and become comfortable with your personal style and shooting mechanics. Take the time to develop truly good form and then start trying out things you are interested in. You will then know what you like and need in a bow. A 60 or 62 inch recurve bow is a great starting point for most adults. A short bow will make the learning process more difficult, especially if you cannot afford a well designed short bow built to your unique shooting characteristics. (I believe poorly matched longer bow will create less problems for you in the future than a poorly matched short bow because longer bows of a given design will be more forgiving of shooters flaws.)

The only reason I can see for a short bow is if you are hunting from a tent or box blind that is to small to accommodate your bow. I am 5 8 and have always hunted with a 60 or 62 inch recurve bow. In 40 years of hunting, I don't think I have been in a situation where I needed or wanted a shorter bow. I don't hunt from man-made enclosed blinds but do hunt from treestands, tree saddles, brush blinds and do some stalking.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: last arrow on January 11, 2012, 10:07:00 AM: I just wanted to add that I started shooting at age 9 (in 1969) with a 62" Bear Cub recurve I got used from the local archery shop. I remember the Owner of the shop saying, after my mother expressed concern that the bow was taller than me, the only reason to buy a shorter bow was if the tip hit the ground when you shoot.

At that time Bear was marketing the Cub as a beginners bow for youth and adults, male and female. I am sure Mr. Bear put a lot of thought into what a good beginners bow should be and came up with a 62" recurve.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Bladepeek on January 11, 2012, 10:36:00 AM: I have to agree with the other posts here. I'm not in the same league with a lot of these shooters, but I have shot enough to want to add my $.02. I stand 5' 10" and have shot everything from a 70" Ben Pearson to a 54" Super Necadah. The length was never an issue for me. I didn't experience the dreaded finger pinch with the shorty (it was only 40#) and the limbs of the 70" were never in the way. They would have been inside my pop-up ground blind, though. You say you are short. I doubt if you are much more than 3 - 5" shorter than I am. The difference between your grip and the ground is only 1/2 the total difference in length of the bow. Before you trade that bow off, I would make an effort to locate some trad shooters near your school (WI must have lots of them) and shoot every bow I could get my hands on. THEN, start looking for the bow you feel most comfortable with. Different subject, but parallel thought: I teach pistol classes. Seems everyone wants a little 2" snub nose. Many of these people will never carry the gun, but want it for home defense. If you're carrying (or sitting in a tree stand) short is handy. Long is usually a whole lot easier to hit with. Sometimes, bigger is better :)
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Night Wing on January 11, 2012, 10:42:00 AM: I'm only 5'9" and I shoot 66" recurves for bowhunting and informal backyard target shooting.

On a side note, I shot a 69" target bow, with white limbs, when I was 14 years old. I was about 5'5" back then. I also took my first deer with that bow when I was 16 years old and was 5'7" at that age.

If I could find a custom bowyer who could make me a 68" or 70" recurve with a 19" riser, I'd buy one.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: donw on January 11, 2012, 10:54:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by kennym:
If you cut 4 or 5 inches off each limb, you have eliminated much of the recurve , you now have a short really stiff semi straight limbed bow. I wouldn't do it.

Good advice on hitting the classifieds!
+2...

as i recall, "Spiking" your bow (cutting off the limb tips) will net you per inch, a gain in poundage. you actually stiffen the limbs so it will increase the poundage dramatically

i "Spiked" a long bow i made and it went from 37# to 50# by taking off 1" of each limb tip.

keep/sell/trade your jaguar and get a lighter draw weight bow.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Pete W on January 11, 2012, 11:38:00 AM: Just a bad Idea any way you look at it.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on January 11, 2012, 12:13:00 PM: There are a lot of bows out there to be had at reasonable prices. I know you are tight on funds, maybe you could trade limbs.

Do not alter your bow, you will be greatly dissapointed or injured unless you know exactly what you are doing. Even then its a lot of work, and you will need materials. It's not worth it in my opinion. When you can find other bows for 50 bucks or less, why not?

Put a WTB add in the classifieds about looking for something, My guess is that someone has something laying around that was meant for you.

Good luck!
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: BWD on January 11, 2012, 12:16:00 PM: Just say no...
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: jhg on January 11, 2012, 12:16:00 PM: Shorten the riser, not the limbs which are designed to be as good as they can be at their current length.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: 7 Lakes on January 11, 2012, 12:43:00 PM: The good thing about buying used is you can get most of your money back out of it when sold. (At least you'll know how good a deal you got on the bow).

Sell the one you have and try another.

PS
The others are correct, do not cut the curve out of your recurve. Cutting one of my longbows down 4 inches will increase wt. by 32 pounds.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: shoothathang on January 11, 2012, 03:11:00 PM: X2 what last arrow said
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: zze86 on January 11, 2012, 08:03:00 PM: Thanks for the responses all. Just to clarify some points and answer some Q's:

I stand at a heady 5'4".

I was thinking about cutting the limbs around the part that bolts up to the riser not the limb tips. I took some quick measurements the other day and it looked like the limbs are pretty straight (no taper) until it starts hitting the curve.

The short bow I tried out was of the asiatic horsebow style.

Thanks for the other options to consider. I guess I'll just continue shooting it as is for now. Maybe if I have a couple of bucks left over after the summer I'll try making a shorter riser. As far as the classifieds, it's rather hard to find a cheap(er) T/D that is also short but I'll keep a lookout. Having a T/D is nice since I can carry it with me around campus without getting a bunch of stares or catching on everybody/thing.

thanks again all!
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: jsweka on January 11, 2012, 10:22:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by zze86:
I was thinking about cutting the limbs around the part that bolts up to the riser not the limb tips. I took some quick measurements the other day and it looked like the limbs are pretty straight (no taper) until it starts hitting the curve.

That's not a good idea either. To get the bow down to 52" you'd need to cut 4" off each limb. This will take you too far out on the wedges in the middle of the limb butts. Also, you will have one heck of a time getting the limb bolts and alignment pins to line up on both each limbs and keep both limbs straight in relation to one another.

Your best bet is to sell it and get another.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: CoilSpring on January 11, 2012, 11:10:00 PM: Chee, this bow in the classifieds may be what you need and the price is good too. Buy it, try it and keep the one you shoot best. 1962 Kodiak Magnum - 52" 48#@28", should be about 42-44#@25"-26" draw length.

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=048492
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: landman on January 11, 2012, 11:43:00 PM: Your height has nothing to do with it. Shoot that bow, learn its idiocrancies and hunt with it. it's not the bow bro, it's you. Don't be concerned about what all of the guys on this site own, shoot or don't shoot. After you've been shooting and hunting awhile and after you're out of school then worry about other bows.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: adamgti on January 12, 2012, 01:15:00 AM: http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=048511

Check this bow out. Not a Idea and I bet it shoots the pants off your jaguar. Anyways keep creeping the classifieds, I just saw another beat go for 185 bucks.

Sorry it's the same length though.

Keep shooting,
Adam
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: adamgti on January 12, 2012, 01:20:00 AM: I second that it's not the bow. My above comment could be recieved wrong. It's not the bow, but it mental so shoot what you want and if your not happy don't force it because believe me I'm a poor student too and I know how it feels. We have a price range too so don't get because the money isn't there.

All will work out in the end man.

Again keep checking the classifieds and make sure you listen to the advice you asked for, these guys know what they're talking about.

Regards,
Adam
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: last arrow on January 12, 2012, 08:46:00 AM: My wife is 5 4 and her recurve bow is 62 inches long.

Aside from the alignment problems (unless you are a very good machinist), if you shorten from the wedge side it will result in a broken bow and possible injury to the shooter. I assume the bow has about an 8 inch limb wedge, about half lays on the handle and half extends beyond the handle to gradually start the bending of the limb. If you cut 4" off, the entire limb wedge will then be on the handle, not allowing a gradual start to the limb bending, essentially creating a handle with no, or at best a very short fade from handle to limb. Only bad things can happen if you do that as it puts a lot of stress on the limb where the handle ends.

Also be aware that if you make a new handle, you will get about 5 pounds draw weight increase for every 2 inches you shorten the bow, Your goal of 8 inches will add about 20 lbs with the same limbs.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: tecum-tha on January 12, 2012, 11:44:00 AM: Get rid of the jaguar and try to find a bow that fits your personal length requirements.
I am 5'5" and like 56" in a longbow best.
With shorter draws, you have to learn how to read Force-draw curves. With some recurves you will not be out of the pre-load belly curve yet.
I shoot a Hwarang Model 25 48" korean bow, but a 48" korean Kaya bow will be just as good. Just hard to find any used ones. Korean bows are measured at a different draw length and have a very special F-D curve. As an example:
http://www.aixbow.de/shop/images/diagramme/kaya/ibi0372-52.pdf
Text is german,but note the nominal draw weight was 50#, but it actually were 45#. This guy makes a F-D curve for every bow he sells. This is absolutely important to get the right # at your draw.
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Jedimaster on January 12, 2012, 12:50:00 PM: Good advice all around. I just might add that you could post your bow for trade in the classifieds and see what comes up (if your dead set on a shorter bow). Truth is, there aren't that many short take-downs anyhow.

Looking back some of my best memories were with equipment that I foolishly thought of as inadequate or inferior. Bow envy (like the short bow you shot) and feeling my equipment was inadequate (from seeing & reading what others have) has cost me countless hours searching for "something better" and more money than I care to comment on. The reality is, you can do wonderful things with what you have in your hands.

Besides, your in school. Struggle through it, focus on the books, get a good education, make lots of money and then ... buy every bow you couldn't afford before. Sorry that's the dad coming out in me ;)
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: Jake Fr on January 12, 2012, 02:27:00 PM: Get a fishing reel put on the martin and buy another bow in a weight your comfortable with
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: bentpole on January 12, 2012, 03:37:00 PM
Title: Re: Chopping down some limbs on a recurve...?
Post by: ronp on January 12, 2012, 05:10:00 PM: I agree with the others. Chpping down those limbs is ill-advised. Sell it or trade it for a shorter one if you really want one.