String making question:

[Superdog-1]

I have been told that a finished recurve string should be 4 inches shorter than AMO.Ok,I got it. But I have read that a finished longbow string should be 3 inches shorter than AMO. How true is that,if so,and why?

  Thanks,Neil

[traditionalman]

I think the recurves has a lot to do with it. To get the recurved tips and limbs to bend to the proper brace height a 4 inch less then AMO is needed. A 3 inch less than AMO would not put enought bend into the limbs.

[Grey Taylor]

Here is what the manual says:
 
"AMO CONVENTIONAL BOW LENGTH STANDARD
AMO Bow Length Standard is designated to be three inches longer than AMO
Bow String Master that braces bow at proper String or Brace Height. Bow String
Master will carry only the bow length designation. Example: A Bow String
Master designated as AMO 66” (bow length) will have an actual length under
tension of 63”."

Guy

[Superdog-1]

OK,that sounds logical. Greg where do I get this mannual?

[Dave Worden]

Neil, you were confusing a rule of thumb and actual bow length with the AMO standards.  The 3" vs 4" stuff is a rule of thumb to be used with the actual measurement of a bow along the belly.  AMO is ALWAYS 3".  If you re-read the definition, you'll see that the actual length of a bow is totally irrelevent when you're talking about AMO.  As for the manual, it's in the How-To Forum.  Been there for a couple years now.

[Superdog-1]

Good,thanks a lot Dave.