proper string length for my 52 Grizzly?

[str8sh2ter]

the bow measures 59" tip to tip iIN STRAIGHT LINE.It measures 62"along the back ,tip to tip.[by back I mean side away from shooter.Do I have the terminology correct?]The present string measures 57 1/2".Does that seem right?Thanks

[Migra Bill]

The string should be 4 inches shorter than the AMO. The AMO should be marked on the bow somewhere. According to the catalogues the '52 Grizz has an AMO of 62 inches. That means the string should be between 58 and 59 inches long.

[Jeremy]

AMO is meaningless for a '52 Bear; the standards didn't exist back then.

You need a string that will brace the bow at the recommended height, which for the early 50's bows is the good ol' fistmele, or about 6-1/2".

AMO standards state that the AMO bow length is 3" longer than the string needed to brace the bow properly - not 4".  Any bow that needs a string 4" shorter than it's marked isn't marked to AMO standards.  Only aout half of the bows I've made strings for over the last 5 years were actually marked by the proper AMO standard.

[Jeremy]

Oh, the '52 Grizz should be marked as a 62" bow.  I love the way the tips look on those ol' girls  

[str8sh2ter]

thanks guys.Grerat Info.the bow is only marked for weight 57# .Too old I guess.I measured the bow as 62" right along the back,tip to tip.i thought the string seemed too short.I'll have another made up for it before using it anymore.I only shot a dozen arrows though it.i'll go with a 59" twisted satring and adjust it to 6 1/2" Bh and see how it works.
  UNLESS a fair trade comes along. Does anyone make reproduction bows of these old static curves?Wonder if there would be a market for them?

[Jeremy]

Java Man Archery makes a reproduction - well, reinterpretation - of a '52 Grizz when he's not making Shrews.  He changed it slightly and lengthened it to 64".  He has a few side-by-side pics on his website.  They look like a real nice bow.

[kenscollick]

I bought this one at the Michigan Bowhunters banquet, great shooter no hand shock sure cant sat that for the origionals.

 http://www.belcherbows.com/static_recurve3.htm

[str8sh2ter]

Ok guys.i strung the bow and measured the brace height.It's 7.25" from the string to the riser.and 8" to the crown of the radiused rest piece.That's with the 57 1/2" string.Does anyone else have a similiar bow that can measure theirs to compare?I've got a trade offer for a lighter weight bow and would like to have correct string info for that deal.Thanks
*oh yeah, what is Java Man's website?

[Jeremy]

JavaMan Archery  

The brace height should be around 6-1/2" from the string to the handle.  Most likely that will be somewhere a little over a 59" string.  A 57-1/2" string on a 62" '52 Grizzly is WAY too short.

I don't have a '52 Grizz, but if it's like all the other early Bears I have the actual length can vary by as much as an inch from what is marked.  At one point I had 3 62" Cubs ('55-'57) on my rack... No two were the same length when measured or used the same string.

[Jeremy]

Another thing, only use a dacron string on that old bow, and only measure the string length with the bow strung.  Makes a world of a difference.

[str8sh2ter]

of course I see the string's on wrong.the previous owner set me that picture.She was an antique dealer and never shot it or anything.The string almost went on without stressing the bow at all like that.I'm sure it didn't hurt the bow.That picture is driving me nuts though.i guess i'll delete it just to stop having to answer that question.your #7 so far.

[str8sh2ter]

no problem.i've got a trade pending.I didn't figure it was a big deal.There's barely any stress on the bow that way.i guess i should have taken time to take my own picture.live and learn.Thanks for all the help guys.

[Jeremy]

I didn't see the pic (don't go on other sites anymore) but that was a very common method of storing recurves.  For most bows, there's barely any tension on the string.  My father still stores his that way... been like that for over 40 years with no damage.

[Jeremy]

With the amount of reflex the old Grizz has, it probably looked like it was strung up real tight and high, huh?