String follow. What does it mean?

[Turkhunter]

In reference to Hill style bows, I have heard the term "string follow" or "string follow model" mentioned several times lately but I dont know what this means. Would some of you fine fellows please educate me on the meaning of this.

[akbowbender]

Go here for a good discussion about string follow Hill style bows:

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=121424#000000

I just received a JD Berry Misty Dawn, which is a string follow bow. A bow with string follow is supposed to be a bit lighter on the draw at the beginning, and have a softer return to brace.

I think that you'll get plenty of info from the above thead.

[Rob DiStefano]

"string follow", aka "belly set", just means there's some amount of pre-bend to the limbs.  this can be advantageous to an american flat longbow like a howard hill, in that it can impart a measure of "stability" to the release.  however cast typically suffers to a minor degree.  i like string follow in a hill longbo - you may, too.    :cool:

[akbowbender]

I can't say I notice any loss off cast in my Misty Dawn, but my arrows leave the bow in a hurry and with pleasing accuracy. It might be trapped limbs, but I'm very happy with the feel and  performance of this bow.

[ddauler]

Yep also string follow in the bad sense is when a self bow takes a set from belly wood compression. This can be caused by poor tiller job, high moisture content, a little is ok but a lot causes a very poor performing bow. It can also be caused by using the wrong limb configuration with the wood used. Hickory works great in dry with a thin flat cross section but if used in a bow with a D cross section like is used in a yew english longbow it will "take a set".

[ddauler]

I just realized the question refered to Hill Style bows oh well.

[akbowbender]

Good info anyway...recurve>r/d>Hill style>self bow
——------------------------   I am here ^^^^

[bluej]

I was wondering what it meant also, thanks for the post!

[joe ashton]

ya me too..

[Sixby]

Notice the limbs on this bow are deflexed and have no reflex in them. They therefore point at the string or toward the string. This gives it the name of string follow. Its kind of like the bow is pre bent a bit. In this pic the side that is down is the string side.
God bless, Steve