Classifieds caustion

[ed cowden]

This is just a little warning for you guy's looking in the classifieds to trade or buy a new to you bow. Most every bow was built for a draw length and weight for the person that was ordering the bow. It could be from 24 -32 inch draw and each one has different design features to make it work the best at that length. So look into matching your draw length and the bow you are looking at. I have heard from several bowyers that have had bows turned in for damages because of over drawing. Also people using too light of arrows. Think before you buy.

[acedoc]

Logical

[Orion]

Ed.  I owned a bow custom made for you a while back, a 66-inch longbow.  Your draw length is only an inch longer than mine. No danger of that one blowing up, at least not due to over stressing the limbs.  

Regardless, most bowyers don't really build to a specific draw length; they build a bow with the intent of coming out with a specific draw weight at 28 inches. If the buyer wants the bow marked at 26 or 30 inches, they mark it accordingly.  For example, if a customer wants a bow to draw 45# at 26 inches, the bowyer just builds his standard 50# bow at 28 inches and marks it 45# at 26 inches.

Granted, some do build for optimal performance at a specific draw length, and those bows aren't as marketable on the secondary market, particularly if they were built for a relatively short draw length, as bows built with a 28-inch draw length in mind.  Of course, folks should pay attention to how the bow is marked so they know the draw weight of the bow at their draw length.

Most problems occur when folks with long draw lengths try to shoot bows that are too short.  Short "longbows" have been a fad for a while now. Some with a lot of deflex coming off the riser may hold up to a long draw, but for a lot of others, a long draw really stresses the bow, and some fail as a result.  Given the number of long draw shooters shooting short bows, I'm surprised a lot more don't break.

[ed cowden]

I just talked to Steve Turay in April and Tom Parsons on Tuesday. Both have said they have had fellows wanting to return bows that were built for other people with short draws. Both men work very hard to give the buyer the best bow at their draw length and at the right weight. I know both of these men adjust how the limbs bend for the draw length of the customer. They do this to give you the best performance at your draw. Shorter draw and you only loose some speed, a couple inches longer and you are over stressing the bow.
   I have started to ask a couple more questions and getting the serial number and calling the bowyer is the best way to get answers. If it fits, you get a great deal and if to short then I think you should pass. If you are only looking for a collector and you only want to own the collector and then it is up to you. Each bowyer does it his way and you have to find out how he built the bow to see if you can safely shoot it and not break it.

[Orion]

I bet those bows built for fellas with short draws were also short bows.  Modifying bow length is one way to customize a bow to a particular buyer.  A short draw will get more performance out of a short bow than it will a longer bow, all other things being equal.

[katman]

Good point for people to consider Ed, I have had bows built by a few bowyers who build draw length specific. Not just changing bow length but altering the wedges. I feel it is also the responsibility of the seller to help the buyer not buy the wrong bow.

[ron w]

I agree that you should get a bow to "fit" you. But I also think some of this is common sense which now days seems to be a vanishing virtue. I have a draw of just over 29"......I don't even consider a bow that is XX# @ 26", just don't need to be unhappy with the purchase. Steve and Tom are both top notch bowyers and they know this game inside and out.

[Moots]

The best used bows I have purchased, the ones still on my bow rack, were all built at or near my draw length.  Ed, I'm going to take your advice on future buys.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good point guys.

I think it would be best for the buyer to contact the bowyer before purchasing the bow if  there is any questions regarding draw length and bow length.

The seller may not know or have wrong information from the previous seller.

[wingnut]

Originally posted by Orion:
 
Most problems occur when folks with long draw lengths try to shoot bows that are too short.  Short "longbows" have been a fad for a while now. Some with a lot of deflex coming off the riser may hold up to a long draw, but for a lot of others, a long draw really stresses the bow, and some fail as a result.  Given the number of long draw shooters shooting short bows, I'm surprised a lot more don't break.

This is the problem as I see it.  Long draw wanting to shoot short bow and wondering why the bow failed.  Our bows are engineered to have a performance curve at the optimum draw.  Once you go beyond that you start bending stuff not meant to bend and after a while "BAM".  
And then you see at thread that "My new bow blew up".

Mike

[Sam McMichael]

With my short draw length, I am not likely to overdraw many bows. When I order a bow I get a specific draw weight at 28" and simply accept the draw I get at my shorter draw length. I shoot Hill style bows almost exclusively and wood arrows totally exclusively.