bow measurments

[poekoelan]

Can anyone tell me how modern longbows are measured? If I look a bow in a catalog and it says 64" or 66", does that mean end to end, string nock to string nock or what?

And how are recurves measured?

Thanks.

[Chortdraw]

That would be string nock to nock. The string will be 3-4 inches shorter depending on the bow style.

Chort

[jchunt4ever]

I been wanting to know that too. My question is, is it the measurment when unstrung? Since the string is slightly shortly I am assuming that is the length when unstrung.

How about recurves and hybrids, is it a straight line from nock to nock or does it follow the curves?

[Orion]

Yep.  Bow length is measured nock to nock along the back of the unstrung bow, following the contour of the limbs.  That's why an unstrung recurve may be 58 inches tip to tip, but 60 inches between the nocks when measured along the back.  Most longbows will have 1/2 to 3/4 inch sticking out beyond each nock groove so their total length will be a little longer, i.e., a 64-inch longbow, will come in at about 65 1/2 overall.  Strung, it will probably be closer to 63 inches tip to tip because the tips are pulled closer together when strung.

[Pete W]

AMO states the bow length is 3" longer than the string length at proper brace height. Longbow or recurves are the same, however not all bowyers follow this.
 This is why some bows take a string that is 1" shorter or 4" shorter. Ever wonder why some bows 2" shorter than others take the same string? and feel like they draw real smooth for their length?
 Is that 58" realy 58" ot is it 60?

 Ever buy a shorter bow and have it the same length as the old bow? LOL
 How about buying a string and getting a 10" brace height when you put it on.
 
 Ask the bowyer how he measures his bow.