Request for photos of Hill-style handles

[kiltedcelt]

So, I've primarily been an all-wood bow kinda guy, but I've wanted to try some glass bow building too. I've experimented with glass in the past but it was complex Asiatic horse bow type designs and the results were pretty lame. So, desiring to build a bow with a simplistic straightforward design, I settled on a typical Hill-style bow. I'm going to create a bow approximately 50-55lb (yeah, I know - not exactly "Hill weight"), straight limbs with no reflex and that characteristically simple handle.

My problem is, I've been scouring forums and the web looking for pics showing how far the arrow shelf is cut in on a typical Hill longbow. I see plenty of pics showing bows from the side and even some of Howard himself, head-on, but nothing that really shows how deep those shelves are. the best i can figute is that many of them are maybe only slightly deeper than the width of an arrow, but certainly not cut right to the center. Does anyone have a Hill type/style longbow tht they can provide some pics of showing how deep the shelf is, or at least just describe how deep?

I'm also guessing that if I'm seeing these shelves that don't look too deep then arrow spine must have to be much lighter than the bow's poundage to account for paradox, or longer arrows need to be used. Any thoughts along those lines? Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[typical2]

I cut my rests 3/16" from center.  Some Hills are a little more and some are a little less.

Eric

 

[kiltedcelt]

Thanks for the pic. Spine wasn't really critical the r/d bows I'd made and been shooting for a while (almost center-shot), so I guess I'll need to dig out my TBB volume that has all the stuff on arrow spine and re-read that. I'm guessing most of these Hill bows that aren't cut in too far probably require a spine lower than bow poundage by maybe 10lbs? Like I said, I'm gonna have to re-read that chapter.

[typical2]

My draw is around 29.5" and I cut my arrows 30.25" BOP.  For my 50-55# Hill style bows i shoot 65-70 spine with 200 grain broadheads and 60-65 with 160s.


Eric

[canopyboy]

I don't seem to have any pics handy that show exactly what you're looking for. But mine are cut between 3/16 and 1/8 from center. My personal preference is also for a narrow handle, which leaves very little shelf. So I add a little wedge of leather under the wrap right at the shelf.

My personal bow as it was getting finished:
 

This one is a reverse handle and shows the little leather wedge I started adding to the handle wrap:
 

Here's what the cutout looked like before it was wrapped:
 

[monterey]

Canopyboy, I like your handles.  Mine have been gradually sliding in that same direction.