Bowyers Brace Height Calculation??

[joe vt]

How does a bowyer come up with a brace height range?


Seems to me there is some power band range best for each bow. But how do you calculate it? I have always wanted the lowest brace height for shear performance. But lately I have been wondering if some of my bows are braced too low? Could it effect the overall structure?


I have a fairly new t/d recurve and the bowyer suggested starting at 8". I have never had a bow braced so high. But according to noise and string splap, I have determined that anything lower than 8" is not a good thing on this bow.


Last question/comment: anyone ever do a chrono reading evaluation based on changing brace height? Chrono a bow with the brace at 7" and then at 7 1/4", 7 1/2" and so on.

[poekoelan]

Here is how I understand it: The lower the brace height, the longer the power stroke, the faster the arrow.

The lowest possible brace height is also what you want for wooden bows which is what I shoot.

Recurves may be a different animal than longbows as far as modern bows go. And some of the more radical hybrids may have more in common with recurves in this regard. Hopefully someone else will chime in on this one.