The REAL bow length

[Zradix]

[Bladepeek]

Kirk, I may take you up on that offer, but right now the finish is first class. I hate "gilding a lilly".      

In case anyone is wondering about the bow that triggered my post, here she is - a little cutie.

   

   

[Dave Worden]

Bladepeek, move over on that soapbox.  I'm sure there's room there for two.I totally agree with you.  A standard would be nice.  That being said, if you want to use the AMO standard it is NOT based on bow length.  It is based on string length.  The bowyer determines the proper string length to brace the bow correctly, then adds 3".  Not 3 for recurve and 4 for long bow.  You don't measure the bow, mark it and then determine the proper string length.  Custom bows, custom strings?  Sure.  The bow just needs to be marked 3" longer than that custom string (AMO standard).  This would be VERY easy to standardize if we wanted to.  All is takes is a desire to do so.  All of that being said, why did AMO feel the need to add 3"?  Why couldn't a 54" bow take a 54" string?  The length of the bow itself doesn't really matter.  It's the strings that we have to buy repeatedly.  Personally, I believe a better standard would be to just mark the bow with the length of string RECOMMENDED by the bowyer.  I'm not suggesting that the bowyer doesn't know what length of string his bow SHOULD use, only that once it's my bow, I can put whatever length string I want on it.  BUT, if I use other than the recommended length string I have just given up the right to complain if it's noisy or inefficient .  The AMO standard of 3" and the rule of thumb for 3" or 4" depending on whether it's a long bow or recurve and bows marked with NTN length (but not marked NTN) have made this a VERY CONFUSING issue.  A standard, ANY standard would be very nice.

[Uncle Buck]

when I get a bow, if it has a string on it that works I forget about the bow and measure the string. It seems to work for me. Sometimes if it stretches i have to twist it a bit.

[nineworlds9]

Blade don't you dare regret this thread.  It is a point that has worth.  Once you spend $25 on a custom string that ends up either too short or too ordered based on what the bow was marked enough times it gets to be frustrating.  I agree that the "ASL" marking might eliminate some of this problem.  

For me this issue gets lumped in with bowyers not following the build sheet requested by the customer, i.e. changing woods or finish against customers' desire and then not telling the customer until after the customer unpacks the bow and then going "aww shucks I forgot to tell you I was out of quilted maple so I used curly instead" or "I know you wanted a matte finish but I get better results doing gloss".  Not acceptable.

BTW, Kirk is a class act.  That refinish price he quoted, heck there are some bowyers out there who would charge 2-3 times that for a simple refinish.  

I'm real curious how that little Yeti shoots Blade.  I almost pulled the trigger on that one, I still remember when it was listed for sale on Kirk's website.  Tell me how it does out to just past 29" if you can.  Handsome little fella.

[Bladepeek]

Chuck, I saw your comment in the classifieds. You missed your chance to get it cheap (relatively speaking     ).

I probably wont be able to test it beyond 29". When I switched to lefty I also changed my anchor a bit and opened my stance just a hair so I now draw right at 28". I put it on my bow scale and I think 28" is a realistic draw length. It goes up in a very linear fashion to 42# @ 28". At 29", it goes up to 47.2# and I didn't go beyond that as it seems to be stacking right at 29". Of course that's with a string that's an inch too short, so another inch of string may put the max draw length out a little farther. I'm not saying it couldn't be drawn to 30". Kirk would be better able to answer that. I am thinking a plot of the draw weight curve would be approaching vertical FAST beyond 29".

My impression shooting it with a too short string that is also way too fat, is that it's pretty quick for a bow that short and only 42#. I don't have access to a chrono and can only give my impression compared to other low-mid 40# bows. Looking forward to getting it back out with a decent string on it. I noticed some pretty severe fraying of the present string right where the upper loop is pulled together by the serving (endless loop) so I put it on the rack until I have a good string.