Traditional measurement Draw length/weight

[owlbait]

It came up in conversation that some bowyers measure draw length and weight differently. I've ALWAYS measured it from the back of the bow. The bowyers I have dealt with measured it the same way. Then I see something about 26 3/4 from the throat of the grip? Is that a compound thing? And wouldn't it end up being close to the same if measured at the back also? Do we need to ask each bowyer where they measure for draw length and weight? I hope not.

[A.S.]

I absolutely ask each bowyer how they measure before ordering a bow. The AMO standard is measured to the throat of the grip plus 1 3/4". I have seen bows vary from 1 /2" to over 2" from the throat to the front of the riser. Maybe not a big deal for some folks, but I like to know what I'm getting when I order a bow.

[Brock]

most traditional archers measure from deepest part in grip (where web of hand goes) to your nocking point...the reason is bow shelfs and riser designs can be drastically different.  The area of the bow shelf directly above this point is very close to the area you would want your arrow to slide when being shot.  It is the fulcrum point for limbs being bent correctly and also to counter any torque.

Measuring to back of bow is a compound thing as they always put their arrow rests as far back as possible to decrease arrow length and increase speed because of that shorter length.

Another thing to consider is if you measure to back of bow for arrow length...and only add an inch will your broadhead have clearance to reach full draw...or even slight overdraw in the heat of the moment?  You dont have a sliver of plastic or metal for the arrow to rest and launch.  I recommend sticking with deepest part of grip...

or get Sam Fadala's or some other traditional archery guide/encyclopedia for further reading.

I am sure I got something wrong and will be corrected but is my understanding.

[owlbait]

Brock, I've always measured my BRACE height from the grip, and even that is apparently not set in stone. How does the majority of our bowyers measure draw weight and length? I know A&H shows on their website that they measure from the back of the bow. I see another thread has posted the same question. Maybe we will be able to figure out what Traditonal method our bowyers use.

[Burnsie]

So how do you all determine what your personal draw length is then. I would suspect the bowyers and the bow owners method need to be the same to get any kind of accurate picture of what you're actually pulling at your anchor.

[owlbait]

I measure my arrow to the back of the bow. Just like I would expect my bowyer to do. I equate my draw length to the length of arrow I would need to keep from pulling my arrow point onto the shelf.

[Jeremy]

A.S. has it.  The AMO standards were adopted by the "industry" in Feb of 1968.  IF the bowyer is going by AMO standards it's to the throat of the grip + 1-3/4".  AND the bow's length is marked at 3" longer than the string that properly braces it when measured under tension!  Longbow, recurve, doesn't matter.

The whole point of adopting the AMO standards was that you'd always know what you're getting.  A BIG pet peeve of mine is bowyers not following AMO standards, especially those that still mark the bow AMO!

[Burnsie]

I guess it is best to ask your bowyer how he measures it to avoid confusion.  If Owlbait were to ask a bowyer to make his bow 50# @ 28" he may not get what he is expecting if the bowyer is going AMO (throat of grip + 1-3/4") and he is figuing it from back of the bow as he states.  Or do we just assume every bowyer makes their bows to have the back 1-3/4" from the throat of the grip.

[Rick Saar]

In the interest of clarity, would someone post a diagram illustrating the AMO standard? Thanks in advance.

[Buckeye Trad Hunter]

Originally posted by owlbait:
I see something about 26 3/4 from the throat of the grip?

This actually makes more since if you stop and think about it.  If you use this measurement for every bow then it is constant for every bow but if you measure from the back of the bow you could have inconsistancies due to grip sizes.  A bow with a very large grip compared to a bow with a very skinny grip could affect the draw weight by as much as five pounds realisticly if measured from the back of the bow instead of the throat of the grip because the bow with the thicker grip may actually be drawn an inch or two less to achieve the 28" draw to the back of the bow.  26 3/4" to the throat of the grip will be the same for every bow regardless of design.

[owlbait]

And yet, I have NEVER had to change the length of my arrows due to different riser designs. I've only had to change the length of my arrows to accomadate spine. I would like to see some pictures from bowyers showing how they measure draw weight, and their reference points.

[Brian Krebs]

I went to a bow shop once where they had a really light weight recurve bow with an arrow on it- the nock was attached to the string. The arrow was marked to the end of it like a ruler.
 You just closed your eyes; and drew back to where your anchor felt comfortable and did it several times; and the bowyer could tell exactly what your draw was.

 I will take a raw bare shaft ( preferably a four foot dowel)  with a nock on it; have them nock it on their bow string; and then I tell them to close their eyes and draw back to where its comfortable; and I mark the arrow with a felt tip in front of the back of the bow.
 Then repeat it several times.
Then you can tell where their longest draw point is; and the shortest - and with a way way to long dowel - they tend not to exaggerate their draw in either direction.

[owlbait]

And then, using that same measurement, you could measure the draw weight, you could mark the weight at 28, 29, or whatever weight at X-inches they wanted.

[Night Wing]

I want the draw length measured at the front of the riser and that is also where I want the weight to be measured from.

Like others, when I order a bow, I always asks where he measures the draw length and weight.

As for brace height, I measure it from the bowstring to the deepest part of the grip (throat). I also ask the bowyer where he measures brace height too so there are no mistakes.

Speaking of draw length. If you're by yourself and want to know what your draw lenght is, get a large washer with a hole in it, slip it over the front of the arrow shaft till it's about halfway down the arrow out in front of the riser. Draw the arrow to your anchor point and while you're doing this, the arrow will slide up against the front of the riser and sit there. Then slowly let down and see where the washer is. That's your draw length.