new Protege longbow

[Bernie B.]

Wow...sharp looking bow!  Nothing beats the look of a well made D shaped longbow.

[arrow flynn]

im thinking a 28 inch draw with a62 inch bow spells finger pinch for me in that design imho

[Lee Robinson .]

Originally posted by arrow flynn:
im thinking a 28 inch draw with a62 inch bow spells finger pinch for me in that design imho

I completely understand your concern and personally am not a big fan of short "longbows."

That said, I have a 28" bow and personally shoot a 64" bow, but I have shot the 62" bow without noticing any problems or discomfort. I was pleasently surprised. Now, I realize I am the bowyer so that may mean little to some, but it is my personal opinion. I realize finger pinch and smoothness of draw are not one and the same, but according to the bow scale the bow itself was still smooth out to a 28" draw. Using only a 0.001" core taper ensures that the bow works throughout the entire limb, including the fadeouts, which prevents the bow from being "whippy tipped" during draw (and helps reduce string angle).

Regardless of this, my recommendations are typically as listed below.

62” bow
 24" riser is best for 24” to 27” draw (28" is doable)
 22" riser is best for 26” to 28” draw
 20” riser is best for 27" to 29” draw
 
64” bow
 24" riser is best for 26” to 29” draw
 22" riser is best for 27” to 30” draw
 20" riser is best for 28” to 31” draw
 
66” bow
 24" riser is best for 27” to 30” draw
 22" riser is best for 28” to 31” draw
 20" riser is best for 29” to 32” draw
 
I CAN stretch this about an inch when I use a slightly wider limb (1 & 1/4" wide) with less core for people that desire the shortest bow or longest riser possible for their draw length (typically for hunters), as less core with a wider limbs helps maintain a smooth draw. My typical bow is 1 & 3/16" wide. For people with short draws I may use more core and keep the limb 1 & 1/8" wide to maintain stability within a short/snappy powerstroke.

John went with the 62" bow because he is used to shooting a bow that is nearly 20# heavier in draw weight and because he will be using the bow for hunting. To fit him into a 28" bow, I only used 0.280" total limb depth (including the glass) to prevent stack. I am personally familiar with John's needs and experience, and I believe the bow is what he wants. The goal of a custom bowyer should be to provide the best bow possible for a person's given situation and needs.

[coltar]

Arrow flynn,I draw a full 28"& used to shoot a 60" longbow with no pinch,but my fingers are not large so that may be why I have not had a problem with a "short" bow.The Canebrake I had to give up due to shoulder problems was 62" & no problem there either with finger pinch.

John

[kbertsch]

nice bow, can't wait to get mine.

[coltar]

Thanks for all the comments guys,I should have the bow Wednesday or Thursday & will post more when I actually get my hands on it.Lee does a great job & during the process of having this bow built,his customer service was second to none.I say this not because he & I are friends but because it is true.He was in contact with me with any questions  or concerns that he had & to just let me know the progress.

John

[Izzy]

Sweet!

[gobblegrunter]

 

Beautiful bow! Lee seems like a GREAT guy to deal with.

   

[ny state land]

Lee,
Do we get to know the lucky bows being shipped?  

[Lee Robinson .]

Originally posted by ny state land:
Lee,
Do we get to know the lucky bows being shipped?                                  

Of the "TGS" bows...

1. Eric S. has his.
2. John A. should have his tomorrow.
3. Mike C's bow (bow is already glued up) will be sent out this weekend or this coming Monday.
4. Dave H's will go out next week (riser glued up, but not shaped yet),
5. Kasper B's (bow is already glued up) will be sent out this weekend or this coming Monday

Non-TGS bow interruption - I have to work on Gary Sentman's new 66" bow and my wife's bow next week, which I will be finishing up while finishing Dave H's bow.

I will be out of town for one weekend this month.

6. Stacy S. (you) & 7. Edgar W. have the last two "TGS" bows, which should be finished BEFORE the end of the month. Stacy, I haven't forgotten you...but it will probably be 2-3 weeks or so before I am done with yours...but I should be done with both of yours and Edgars this month. Both of your risers are glued up, but they are not shaped yet.

At the beginning of next month (if not before then), I am going to make myself another personal bow while I work on a custom order for Eldon B.

Once that is done, my current obligations I will get back to work on my daughter's recurve (which I call "the contradiction"...hahaha). I am only half way done with the form as we speak. My daughter likes the curvey look of recurves and convinced me into making her one...but fortunately for me once I made her longbow and she shot it (and made the video with the pumpkin) her longbow is now her favorite bow 8^) (even outranking her current great plains youth recurve which is a beautiful bocote bow).

This is of course assuming I hit weight on all of them. If I miss pull weight on one, add a week for such.

[Nala]

I have been admiring these bows from the pics I have seen.  Great looking stick for sure.  Can't wait for more pics and a field report when you get it.

Nalajr

[ny state land]

No worries Lee thats still very fast production!

[DEATHMASTER]

I know Time will come when I regret not being on the TG build list.
Great web sight and very informative.

[Hatrick]

I love the strung and unstrung profiles of the Protege Longbow. Lee's detailed description of his design and desire to build a bow with top shelf performance are what enticed me to order one. I have TGS #4 ordered and Lee has been great with communication and suggestions to make the right bow for me. Looks like it won't be long now!!

[Lee Robinson .]

Originally posted by ny state land:
No worries Lee thats still very fast production!

Thanks...but I wish. I believe it takes me about 25-30 hours (depending upon the model) per bow from start to finish. I am getting more efficient though. Needless to say, I stay busy on the weekends, popping into Tradgang when I am at a stopping point or ready for a break. Remember, I do not get to work on bows everyday, as I make my full time living in education. I wouldn't be able to work so much overtime (in the bowshop) except for the fact that I enjoy working with my hands. As a teacher, it is sometimes difficult to step back and see the results of my labor. That is one benefit of being a bowyer. It is nice to see one's work. I have always admired people that work with their hands for that reason.