Long Fades Bow Layout

[bigcountry]

I see some lay out thier bows with fades that are 3 and even 4" from the handle.  Is there any advantage?  I have laid out mine 1.5".  I figured that would give more working limb area.  Especially if I have to pike it.

[George Tsoukalas]

big, I agree with you. Some bowyers, though, like a larger non working handle area. They compensate by making their bows longer. They figure such bows result in more energy storage. They may be right but where I hunt shorter bows are my preference. 60-65 in. ntn for my 26-27 in draw. Jawge

[bigcountry]

I bet some of it has to do with hand shock.  More material in thehandle, usually less handshock with all things being equal.

Or could be string angle?

[Pat B]

The old American Longbows had a 4" handle and 4" flares but I believe the limbs bend well into these long flares.

[George Tsoukalas]

Yup, big, handshock would be low in a bow of that design. Jawge

[Dick in Seattle]

I'm about to make one with long riser and fades, copying an old Root longbow.  66" with 25" riser and fades.  The advantage I'm looking for is a long bow with short working limbs to compensate for my short draw and limited weight ability and, hopefully, pick up some speed over my first bow, which got named "Slowpoke".

[John Scifres]

Like Jim Hamm says, just think of it as a short bow with a long handle.  It helps to cut down on mass of the limb which increases efficiency.  This increases speed and decreases shock.  It does this while still taking advantage of the lower string angle and thus less stack that a longer bow exhibits.

They look whip tillered but really aren't.

[bigcountry]

That makes sense John.