Longbow vs Recurve Rest & Plate

[Jumpingpound]

I'm almost embarrassed to ask this but here goes... Is there any functional reason why longbows usually have a one piece plate/rest and recurves usually have separate rests and plates?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm in the process of tuning my first longbow - a Bear Montana.  Shooting it as it came set up from the shop is resulting in the bottom hen feather getting mangled pretty bad and it looks to me like its because it has a one piece rest/plate combo that doesn't fit very well in the corner between the shelf and plate.

I just put on a new leather grip and will be replacing the string and rest/plate next before I start playing around with the nocking point.  Is there any reason why I should not put on a separate rest and plate instead of a one piece combo?  and while I'm embarrassing myself with these newbie questions... Why are most longbow rest's I see thin leather instead of a rug type? Would it be a problem to put a Bear rug rest on the Montana? or should I stick with a leather type.  Thanks as always.

[Brianlocal3]

Past practice seems to be the rule a lot of the times. Honestly that's what I see.
I love the bear rug rest on my longbows. I personally just keep what comes on my bow unless I'm forced to tune with my strike.

Recurves usually have more centershot and thus more room to take off the strike and build it out, longbows are usually pretty short on shelf real estate. Only my opinion.

BUT changing shelve material can make a difference, as can strike material so I say your good to go.

My own experience has shown shooting a rug rest or felt pad rest results in a more forgiving accurate bow

[ChuckC]

I agree with Brian.  The shelf on a lot of longbows is quite narrow, in fact, some are actually extended just a bit with a piece of wood, bone, or leather.   That is just the design and history of the ASL.  Heck, many have no shelf at all.  

There is no rule that says you NEED to have any material at all on the shelf or side plate.

You can generally play around and custom tune it to your hearts desire.
ChuckC

[Orion]

No need to have a one piece rest/sideplate on a longbow.  Leather is often used because it's among the thinner materials available, which is usually needed on a longbow strike plate because most longbows are cut proud of  center so not much lateral adjustment to work with.  Shelf material can be anything. Can adjust the bow to it with nock point height.

Your current fletching wear probably isn't caused by the shelf/plate material, but by incorrect arrow spine, too low a brace height, and or too low a nock point.   Good luck.

[last arrow]

Chucks right, there is no rule that says you NEED to have any material at all on the shelf or side plate.

I have used  electrical tape as a side plate in order to tune my arrows.  The only function was to protect the bow finish.  It was quite too, as long as I didn't bounce the arrow on it.

[Bladepeek]

I also question the statement that you want to replace the side plate before adjusting the nock point. That's a very simple procedure and would be the 1st thing I would do. Then, if you want to change sideplate/rest configuration, readjust the nock point as needed.

[Butch Speer]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:
I also question the statement that you want to replace the side plate before adjusting the nock point. That's a very simple procedure and would be the 1st thing I would do. Then, if you want to change sideplate/rest configuration, readjust the nock point as needed.

X2

[newhouse114]

If you are mangling your lower hen feather the first thing I would do is raise your nocking point. I shoot a Montana also and have never had a problem with any of my fletchings.

[Jumpingpound]

Thanks guys.  Unfortunately I had already removed the rest and plate when I took off the grip to replace it (it was glued to and under the grip).  I'm also replacing the string so it will be an all new setup I'll have to go through and retune.  I was just curious about one piece rest/plate combo.   I'm going to go ahead and put on a separate rest and plate though and see how that works for me.