Riser length vs. Limb length

[privateer]

I am fairly new to traditional archery.

Could someone please explain to me the pros/cons of riser length vs limb length given a fixed overall bow length.

i.e.  for a 64" bow, what is the difference between a longer riser and shorter limbs to get to 64" vs the shorter riser and longer limbs configuration.

Thanks in advance.

[Night Wing]

Speaking strictly for myself, I've found recurves seem smoother (easier) to draw with a short riser and longer limbs than with a longer riser and shorter limbs in the same length recurve.

This is why with my 66" recurves, the risers are 19" long and the limbs are 23.5" long.

I've shot 66" recurves with 21" risers and 22.5" length limbs and I can tell the difference between the two riser and limbs lengths.

BTW, I would "figuratively" speaking kill for an all wooden 68" recurve with a 19" riser and 24.5" limbs and where the shelf is cut 3/16" past center, but I haven't found any custom bowyer who makes this recurve configuration.

[privateer]

Thank you Night Wing.

But then what are the advantage(s) of having a longer riser?  Are they any more accurate or forgiving?

Or the opposite question would be - (I prefer a smoother draw, it's a higher priorty to me so I guess I should look for bows with longer limbs), but that being said, is there an advantage to have having shorter limbs at the same draw weight (for those who smoothness might night be the higher priority)?

[bayhunter]

i believe shorter limbs would be faster and seem people find longer risers more stable because there is more weight

[LongStick64]

Longer riser will generally give you a longer sight window. If you plan on shooting longer distances this could help some.

[Bowwild]

I've asked similar questions of a couple of bowyers.  I'm told that a shorter riser allows for longer limbs and are sometimes better suited to people with long draws.

[wingnut]

Well it's a tough question.  

First of all find a riser that fits you and your eye and then match limbs to it that fit your drawlength.

Generally speaking longer limbs give better performance accross the board.  So most of the time I like to see a 15" riser and XL limbs for a 62" bow.

Mike

[privateer]

Originally posted by wingnut:
Well it's a tough question.  

First of all find a riser that fits you and your eye and then match limbs to it that fit your drawlength.

Mike

Thanks for your input - pardon the ignorance but how do you fit a riser to you and your eye?  I'm not sure what you mean by this.

[wingnut]

As you have oppurtunity pick up and handle as many risers as you can.  Pretty soon you will find what looks and feels good to you.  Look and feel is what I mean by fits you and your eye.

Shows like Compton and ETAR are great chances to handle lots of risers by many different bowyers.

Mike

[Bowwild]

Great advice Mike.

Many of us develop strong opinions about what looks and feels good to us.  

The looks part is very subjective but very important. I don't care how good a performer a bow is if I don't like the looks of it, I'm not going to have it. You've just left a bow hanging that can't be beat in the performance category by any trad equipment.

The feel is what a lot of folks keep searching for. A bow that feels balanced, is smooth to draw, that is stable and still in the hand after the shot.  Most important of all may be a bow that has a grip that "helps" you set that bow hand the same from shot to shot in just the correct way without increasing the odds for torque.

[privateer]

Thank you gentlemen for all of the advice.