I don't understand smoothness of draw!

[Andy Cooper]

I have a Martin Hunter, a Dale Dye recurve, and a Habu Viperkahn. All are 62" long and 50@28, but the Martin is noticeably more difficult to draw than the Dye and the Habu. What's up with that? What contributes to smoothness?  

[BobCo 1965]

A smooth draw is basically a nice even increase in weight as you draw back. Some bows may have slight imperfections where increase in weight is more "choppy" at certain points or where the increase is not even. Example would be if the first 27" you are increasing draw weight by 2 1/2 pounds per inch, but the next two inches you are drawing at 3 1/2 pounds per inch.

Clear as mud?

[reddogge]

Different force draw curves. Sorry I can't explain them better but it's the relationship between inches drawn and weight pulled and put into a graph.

[Bjorn]

The 'difficulty to draw' does not relate to 'smoothness', but simply #. The Martin is likely just a bit more #. Bobco described 'smoothness' exactly as far as I am concerned.

[straitera]

Smooth as silk as opposed to stacking which is the opposite. The imperfections in tiller or wood or craftsmanship plus limb design all are variables. Stacking is like rolling into a speed bump just before full draw.

[Jerry Jeffer]

When you draw a smooth bow, you'll know.

[Festivus]

That is the biggest problem of "factory" bows is that they mark them in 5# increments regardless of what they weigh.

The Hunter is known to be a very good bow with good speed and smoothness. I think that the bow is heavier than 50#. Especially if it is an older Martin than that is definately the case, they were known to come in heavier than marked.

[Andy Cooper]

I wondered about the actual weight of the Martin, because it is a bit faster than either the Dye or the Habu...and it shouldn't be! It's a 1997 model. Guess I need to find a scale.

[phil_des_bois]

I have a friend that had a Martin, it was 55# @ 28", my bows (mainly Robertson's) are about 60# @ 28". When I first draw his Martin I thought, this bow is heavier than what is written on it, so I did scaled it. But the bow was 55# @ 28" so about 5# less than my bows. There is definitely something about smoothness of draw that is related to the force draw curve. A lighter bow can look like it is heavier ...

[PEARL DRUMS]

I cant explain it, but my 30" draw darn well feels it!Some bows just feel even to me through my draw, while others start softer and increase as I draw.

[mambashooter]

[bolong]

Jerry, you took the words right out of my mouth.

[LongStick64]

They may be the same length but what about the length of the risers and limbs, I would bet they are not the same length, usually a longer limb will be smoother.

[4est trekker]

Here's an explanation I wrote on the Bowyer's Bench some time ago that may help:

A lot has to do with the angle at which the string approaches the tips when at draw.  The less the angle, the less stacking will occur.  If you use a stringer for your bow you can recreate this effect.  If you put your foot on the center of the string and pull you'll notice it's a lot smoother to pull than if you spread your feet out about two feet, at which point it's much harder to draw and brace the bow.  

Generally, longer and/or recurved bows have less stack because the string angle will be less at full draw. Also, slightly stiffer tips (or even static tips) work to reduce stack because they work as efficient levers to bend the inner 2/3 of the limb, all the while reducing string angle.  Of course, this all depends on your draw length, the bow's materials, etc.

Here's a picture of the smoothest-drawing bowing I own.  It's a horse bow that I finished several months ago.  Notice the string angle at full draw and the way that the siyahs work at stiff levers.  VERY efficient, smooth, fast design.

 

Hope my $0.02 helps.

[snag]

This is a graph of drawing a Centaur longbow. You'll notice the poundage of pull only goes up about 2.5lb per inch drawn and pretty evenly too. I call that smooth.

[Friend]

4est trekker...That was the second time that I run across your explanaton.

I believe your explanation has quite a bit of merit.

[S.C. Hunter]

The best words I can use to describe a smooth draw. Thunder stick Mag. From start to finish smooooooth!  

[David Yukon]

+1 on 4est trekker explanation. And man that bow look good!

[royking]

It might be the core woods coud make a difference.bamboo seems smoother to me on bows of the same design.
the hunter limb i believe is maple.