Selfbow String Location

[Peter Arthur]

I noticed last night that the string on my selfbow does not cross through the center of the handle. It is to the far left side of the handle.
What effect (if any) will this have?
I didn't make the bow, and I'd appreciate any input from those who have.

[formerbutcher]

It really should make any, unless it way over to the side.

[Pat B]

It really depends on where the along the limb or in the handle the "problem" is. Generally as long as the string is over the handle or even a bit off of it you should be OK. Eventually it might stress the bow a bit. Will you post pics of the bow braced and unbraced.    Pat

[Dano]

I had a bow that was so far off you could feel the bow torque in your hand when drawn, thank goodness osage is easy to bend.

[Peter Arthur]

Thanks guys. I was just curious since I've never built my own.

[Pat B]

Well, Peter. Now is a good time to start!        Pat

[John Scifres]

How does it shoot?  Overall, I prefer to split the handle.  The bow just seems to draw better and release more smoothly.  But, I have several that don't and they shoot pretty good.  Your shooting style will have an impact on how much it matters too.

[Bjorn]

If it is too far opposite the shelf you will need arrows that are too soft and floppy. Down the center, or on the same side as your shelf makes things easier for tuning your arrows to the bow.

[Peter Arthur]

John- It shoots as well as I'll let it.. LOL.
I'm a lefty and it seems to shoot right and high of where I'm looking. It is likely my form though more than the bow.
Bjorn- Thanks for the input. I bareshafted some arrows for this bow and I had to cut them pretty short to get good flight. They do fly well, but I have to pull them right up to the base of the head to reach anchor.

[John Scifres]

I'd be tempted to try to move it toward the center as much as possible.  Having it so far away from the side of the bow your arrow sits on is not good.  The way your arrows are acting seems counterintuitive to me.  Unless they were seriously underspined, cutting them really short and therefore making them heavier in relative spine means something odd is going on.  What type of bow?

[George Tsoukalas]

I leave the handle full width and the nocks full width. Leaving the handle wide allows me to shape it to track the string better. Leaving the nocks wide allows me to cut them deeper on the side where the string is off to bring it towards the center. Sometimes a leaner is causes by uneven wood removal. Sometimes not. In either case remove wood from the side that is off, closer to the edge on both limbs. That will bring the string over. Use a scraper. Check tiller frequently. Exercise the wood after each session 20-30 times at partial draw. Anyway that's what I do. When all else fails flip the bow around and shoot it the other way. Saves your forearm from a severe beating.    Jawge

[Peter Arthur]

John- I bought the bow from a sponsor here a few years ago. It's an Osage flatbow that's marked 51# @27". I pull it about 26.5", so I suppose it's right around 50# or so.
George- Thanks for the advice.. but I need to learn a few things about this craft before I go hacking into a bow!! LOL
I wanted to hunt with this bow this year, but I find that I'm shooting my recurve much better. I'm going to keep practicing with this bow and we'll see what shakes out.

[John Scifres]

Selfbows are more difficult to shoot than center shot recurves.  Spine and form are critical.

[Peter Arthur]

Thanks John. I agree..

[George Tsoukalas]

Peter, LOL, you wouldn't be hacking into a bow. You just wouldn't be hacking up a bow. Info on my site. Jawge
 http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/