Tillering/tuning for three fingers under

[Brad Isham]

Does anyone really have experience tillering and tuning for three fingers under. I have some 64 inch reflex/deflex longbows I make myself and the shoot great (quiet) until I try three fingers under. I am much more accurate 3 under but can't seem to get a handle on the noise issue. The latest bow has a high shelf cut 2 1/4 in above the center of the bow and this seems to have helped some. Any more you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brad

[4est trekker]

I'm no expert, but do shoot three under exclusively and have dealt with the same problem you describe.  Generally the noise can be remedied without changing the actual tiller of the bow via wood/glass removal.  However the following suggestions slightly alter tiller at full draw (i.e. stress the limbs more evenly) and should help improve performance and reduce noise when shooting 3 under.  They may not all help, but it'll give you something to try.

1) Increase brace height

2) Raise nock point slightly

3) Use a little less heel pressure from your bow hand

4) Try shooting cock feather in

Again, these are just some suggestions based on what has worked for me and several other guys moving from split to 3 under.  Let us know if it helped ya!  

[steve wasson]

I've been wrestling with this myself.  I build all my recurves at 64" and an even tiller seems to be best.  I've gone to 1/4" negative (weaker bottom limb) and the arrows kick upward wildly though the bow is quieter and less handshock, to 1/4" positive, which seems to be the lesser of two evils, but even tiller is best.  I do go with a high brace, 9" to 9 3/8" which isn't too extreme since I build a forward handle like Black Widow does.  I confess, I only check tiller at brace height.  I haven't messed around with checking at different draw measurements.  I should do that. 8^(  I use basically "Whooly Whispers" (I make my own) and put them at 12" and 18" from each string loop, 4 per string and the bows shoot fairly quiet.  Changing brace height seems to have the greatest effect on quieting and reducing handshock.  I build 14 to 18 strand, Flemish Twist, TS Plus strings with Crown serving.  I'd like to try some stretchier materials to see how quiet you can get a recurve without losing too much arrow speed.

For what it's worth, Steve

[4est trekker]

I used to use four silencers per string until Pat B (I think it was) showed me a better way.  If you fold the string in half once, and then again, you'll find the points a 1/4 of the length of the string away from each tip.  Put your silencers here and you should have good luck.  It certainly worked me.  My bows actually got quieter with two silencers properly placed than with four.

[Sixby]

They will always be a little louder but if the shelf is 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 above the center you can tiller dead even and get optimum performance. Also if you sell the bow a split shooter or three under shooter can shoot it. Steve

[kennym]

Good to see you post here also Sixby!