String follow bow?

[refugerambler]

I here this used a lot when describing bows, but what does it mean?

Thanks

[ChrisM]

When a non RD longbow is unbraced the tips will still be toward the belly of the bow.  It usually happens with an all wood bow that will follow the sting after it settles in.  In a Hill style bow that is glass backed the bowyer can make it follow the string when he glues it up.  I have a SunSet Hill that is string follow and it is a dream to shoot.

[refugerambler]

Well then does it continue to keep settling in or does it stop at a certain point? I'm curious because I'd like to eventually get me a Hill style bow in the near future and wondered if they all do that or do some unstring back straight every time??

[Ifrit617]

It will stop. On selfbows, the bely is compressed to a certain point and then settles in and if designed properly with a proper finish, it should not take on any more set during its life. A glass hill style bow you don't need to worry about this because the fiberglass is taking the compression strength.

Jon

[Shaun]

They are intentionally made to have some string follow and if a glass bow like a Hill will stay where they are. All wood self bows can gain set by being over drawn at anytime in their life.

Northern Mist Shelton string follow Hill style is a gem of this type bow.

[Blackhawk]

My experience has been with the Howard Hill Tembo with set and the NM Shelton, both 68" and both 50#.  

I'm with Shaun...the Shelton is scary quiet and very thump-free...but not too much better than the HH.  

Some say having set reduces speed and I believe it, but the other attributes make up for that.

[Orion]

You can get three limb designs from Howard Hill, a bit of backset, straight and string follow.  String follow is the opposite of backset.   Generally, more backset yields a more performance, but also a little more hand shock.  String follow yields a very smooth drawing bow, but not as much performance/speed.  Whatever you purchase, with a glass laminated bow, it will always go back to the original shape when unstrung.

[Roadkill]

Look at Liberty for a great bow

[refugerambler]

Thanks for the info!

[Butch Speer]

JMO, you'd need to shoot through a chrono to see the difference in speed. The string follow is a great design.