What makes a bow unique

[Susquehannariverarcher]

With there only being so many was to shape a laminate bow form what makes a bow "your bow"? Must you design the shape yourself even though it could be very similar to others. Or is it the workmanship that goes into making it?

[Mad Max]

I like curves, I have spent many hours on my CAD drawing bows to find what Cranks my Tractor.
This one does it for me.
Look at all 3 photos.
Not to crazy about the grip
https://www.artchers-land.de/store/product/2-damon-howatt-el-dorado-lh-30-28

Kirk's limbs bend like this pretty much

[Mad Max]

It's all in the way you shape your riser and/or the way the limbs bend.

All the same bow , but I can add a insert to the form or take it out to make it look different.

[Susquehannariverarcher]

That's pretty cool!

[Kirkll]

I always wanted to have a contest among a dozen experienced bowyers to see who could build a TD bow with the best performance with everyone using the same limb form.  The bowyer can change the length of the limb , move the stops, skies the limit on taper rates and wedges, and put what ever riser they want.

I’m quite certain we would end up with 12 different bows from 12 different bowyers that had a 20 FPS spread in arrow speed at the same GPP arrow weight.

I always thought that might be fun to do….

My point being…. You can get a dozen different bows with completely different characteristics out of the same form shape just by sliding the limb one way or the other in the form, changing up wedge lengths, taper rates, tip notch locations, limb pad angle, and riser shape.

On top of that …..you start changing up materials used, and things get different results again…..  bottom line is….. it is the bowyer that makes the bow unique, not the shape of the form.      Kirk

[Jon Lipovac]

I always wanted to have a contest among a dozen experienced bowyers to see who could build a TD bow with the best performance with everyone using the same limb form.  The bowyer can change the length of the limb , move the stops, skies the limit on taper rates and wedges, and put what ever riser they want.

I’m quite certain we would end up with 12 different bows from 12 different bowyers that had a 20 FPS spread in arrow speed at the same GPP arrow weight.

I always thought that might be fun to do….

My point being…. You can get a dozen different bows with completely different characteristics out of the same form shape just by sliding the limb one way or the other in the form, changing up wedge lengths, taper rates, tip notch locations, limb pad angle, and riser shape.

On top of that …..you start changing up materials used, and things get different results again…..  bottom line is….. it is the bowyer that makes the bow unique, not the shape of the form.      Kirk

If this idea ever gets any traction. I'd be down to give this a try.
I think it would be a great learning experience for all.

[Kirkll]

I use what i call "Carpenter Cad" to play with limb shapes.... Just get a hand full of 8-12 penny nails, a piece of 1/4" hard board or plywood, and a piece of 1.5" width fiberglass 36" long and have at it.

 

You can bend that glass anyway you like and then stand back and look at it, and adjust it just adding more nails and flexing the glass. I like using 1/4" MDF for pattern stock because it sands so smooth and you can use a router with a flush cutting bit to transfer the shape to your form.