Jennings recurve

[showell]

I ran across a Tom Jennings recurve plan while surfing the web when he was with or owned S & J archery. Looks like 50's or early 60's vintage. I was wondering if any of you ever builted this plan and how it shot. I shot his compunds in the 80's and were top of the line, so I was just wondering about his recurves.

[jess stuart]

First bow I ever built (1983) was from those plans.  I did change it around some, mainly just made a 60" instead of the 66". Seemed that I also used a taper and a parallel instead of only the parallels.  Inner tube bands worked like a charm for a pressure system.  Looking back using the half form seems weird but, it worked like great.  It shot fine, possibly not quite as good as some of the more modern designs with some deflex in the limbs.
Why are you wanting to build this particular bow instead of one the newer designs?

[showell]

Thanks Jess...it looked very simple to build for a first time bow. I really love the Kodiak 59 or the 61/62 models. I shot one last year and liked the way it shot, even better than the SK. I don't know anyone that sells the plans similar to these for building. I do plan to build the Bingham recurves in the future but just fell for the Kodiak's looks and want to try building one.

[LittleBen]

I would kinda agree with Jess here. A little deflex can do alot for a bow. I believe even the kodiaks had some deflex.

Shouldn't be any more difficult to make a newer design than the jennings. Same process either way just a different form to cut out.

[peter61]

Hi showell!

Try a shearch at "Vintage Projects" -> "Recurve Plans". This is the one.    

Greetings, Peter

[KenH]

Interesting article.  I have it bookmarked as it gives some rough stack thicknesses for that style of bow.  Interesting that some of the photos show him building a Forward handle design while others show a conventional riser design...