Rest question...

[HuntinHabit]

So I just bought a 1958 Bear Alaskan semi-recurve for my son.  Dual shelf, 32#, 62".  Bow and grip are in great condition, but the original leather rest/strike plate are a little torn up.  Not that the bow is worth a fortune, but do I de-value it by taking it off and replacing it?  Can I replace the rest with anything, or should I stick with a piece of thin leather?  

Also, forgive this newbies lack of terminology and knowledge, but there is a slight bump under the strike.  What's under there?  

And last, since this is "semi" recurve, what is the correct string length for a 62" bow?  

Thanks guys!

[Hot Hap]

Match stick? Toothpick?

[HuntinHabit]

I don't think so.  It's about 1/4" around, maybe 1/16" thick.  And on both sides.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

for that bow I'd recommend a 58.5" string and shoot her at 7.5- 8" brace.

Just use a piece of self adhesive commercial grade velcro...people change rest materials on bows all the time....The tooth pic  under the shelf pad is to eliminate and hand torque that can effect your arrow flight, and should be located at the deepest part of the grip.  kirk

[Night Wing]

Another vote for velcro.

[HuntinHabit]

"for that bow I'd recommend a 58.5" string and shoot her at 7.5- 8" brace."  

Thanks, very helpful.  

I understand replacing the rest is no big deal,  it's just that this one has the original 55 year old leather on it.  I have a bunch of seal skin, so no problem there.  I just feel like I'm destroying something I shouldn't be.  I guess it's a dumb quetion though - I either replace it to actually use the bow, or leave it alone and hang it on the wall.  

[Blackhawk]

Those bows were made for shooting, so put on the seal skin.      

Collector value is minimal so don't worry about that.  You can hang it on the wall when it's time to check in at the Shady Glen Rest Home.  :cool: