Would This Influence Your Decision To Buy A Bow?

[Producer]

If I made bows I would mark what the string length should be to get to the recommended brace height. That would solve the problem. Then if you wanted a higher or lower brace height you would twist your string accordingly. Simple!!!!

[LBR]

It appears that is too simple and makes too much sense Producer, as is actually following AMO specs when labeling a bow "AMO".  That is precisely what marking a bow's AMO length is for.  True, accurate, honest AMO length is directly related to the string length. Not sure how it could be any more simple.

[Rob DiStefano]

while perhaps, and i'm guessing, most of the time the amo length to bow string length works ok, there WILL be times when that string length is just ballpark and will NOT allow the bow in question to achieve optimum performance via a specific brace height.  hence, you may need to do some added personal brace height and bowstring testing.  

with custom bows, we can only trust our bowyers to tell us what BRACE HEIGHT range works best with any particular bow, as well as string fiber type and strand count.  

with commercial bows, those numbers will always be ballpark.

why settle for ballpark when -if possible- you should be able to get the right scoop from the bowyer?  

as to labelling the riser with bow length, exact loop-to-loop string length, exact (no fudging, now!!) holding weight at a specific draw length, that may be well and good, but it ain't ever gonna happen.   :D

[DesertDude]

I don't see why it can't happen Rob,  next time you order a custom bow just ask the bowyer to mark the bow with BH & SL info. Seems simple....  If he refuses to do it just don't buy his bow.   Simple...

[damascusdave]

My stringmaker just reminded me today that in order for him to build me a good string for a particular bow I need to leave the bow with him for a while until he gets in the mood...and he builds the string for that particular bow after measuring it...a string that is an exact match for a bow can make a noticable difference in string noise

DDave

[LBR]

Ballpark should get you within a half inch or so of optimum, if not closer.  The bowyer should know his/her own bows.  That's within a few twists rather than a new string.

[LBR]

DD, the only way to get an exact match is for you to shoot and tune it.  All someone else can do is get it in the ballpark.

[DesertDude]

Very true Chad.

[McDave]

I make my own strings, following Chad's DVD, and I have a nail on a wall in my bow room that is getting pretty full of strings where I guessed wrong on strings I made for an unmarked used bow or for a friend's bow.  I keep hoping a bow will turn up that one of those strings will fit, but I may run out of space on the nail before that happens.

I can understand why a bowyer wouldn't want to mark a bow with both AMO bow length and actual bow length, as having two lengths on the same bow would be confusing to buyers.  However, having actual string length and brace height would be helpful.

All of my bows have LBR strings on them.  The biggest pain is not the tuning to get the correct string length.  Chad always says measure that tuned bow nock to nock.  I don't like how the metal catch on my tape can mark the bow finish when I pull it tight.  You would not believe the hoops I have to jump through to get someone, especially my wife, to hold the dumb end of the tape so I can get a good measurement.

[Walt Francis]

Chad, I understand your dilemma and see how it makes your craft a pain in the rear.

Whip’s opening comments express my feeling:

“Interesting discussion, and yes, I think it would be nice if all bowyers followed a standard and we all knew exactly what that meant. But my gut tells me most custom bowyers don't care all that much about AMO. Heck, in some circles "AMO" has become more an adversary with their support of high tech, crossbows, etc. A lot of the trad community don't give a rip what AMO thinks.”

I will add, the glass bows I build are measured and marked the same way my selfbows are measured and marked, nock to nock along the back of the bow.  I measure them this way mainly because it is not how the AMO does it.  I don’t want to be associated with that organization in any way shape or form, and therefore refuse to use any standards they set for equipment.  Want to know how I really feel about the AMO?
 
Regarding marking the brace height and string length on the bow, they will both vary with the individual bow, string material, nock material (loop length) and who and how they shoot the bow.  Anybody who buys one of my glass bows is told in the warranty letter a brace height range (usually a ¾” range) where the bow normally shoots the smoothest.  When they receive the bow it has an endless loop AstroFlight string that is twisted to the brace height where the bow shoots smoothest for me.  After that it is up to the new owner to adjust and find the brace height they prefer, and then order strings accordingly.

[LBR]

...I have a nail on a wall in my bow room that is getting pretty full of strings where I guessed wrong on strings I made for an unmarked used bow or for a friend's bow. I keep hoping a bow will turn up that one of those strings will fit, but I may run out of space on the nail before that happens.

That's one of the things that marking the bow correctly if it's marked AMO, or marking an ASL on it, would fix.  I took a few gallon zip lock bags full to Denton Hill several years ago.  The simple act of marking the bow correctly would save some of us a ton of needless work.

     

 You would not believe the hoops I have to jump through to get someone, especially my wife, to hold the dumb end of the tape so I can get a good measurement.

More frustration that could easily be avoided.

If a bow was marked as ILF, but wasn't really ILF, it would cause a  major ruckus.

[DesertDude]

Well said Walt....

[LBR]

I refer to AMO/ATA because that's the only established standard for the industry.  No problem if someone doesn't want to follow AMO, just don't mark the bow as AMO--that's what causes confusion.

[LBR]

FWIW, I've been to the ATA show the last few years and there's a strong traditional presence that has been growing every year.

[wingnut]

Our three piece bows are a bit of a problem as the limbs and risers are interchangeable.  With four riser length from 13 to 19" and limbs from short to XXL you can create bows from 64 to 68 inches.  I do provide the brace height and string specs to each customer but don't mark string length on the limbs.

ILF bows are even more of a problem in that you can install standard length ILF limbs on any riser from warf'd compound risers to custom ILF.  Each riser manufacture build the risers to their specs creating a multitude of possibilities for brace and string length.

I do agree that one piece bows should be marked though.

Mike

[LBR]

Thanks Mike--that answers one of the big questions I had (why not mark them?).  Makes sense on those.

Chad

[Thumper Dunker]

Originally posted by Quickblood:
It wouldn't influence my decision, but I would prefer it not be written on the bow.  Only the length, weight, serial number and bowyer info for me.  Achieving your preferred brace height, which would determine your actual string length, is part of the enjoyment of our passion.

Exactly. Guys will spend weeks paper tuning ,bare shafting but finding string brace or length is the end of the world .

[LBR]

Got to have a starting point.