Dumb question

[ranger 3]

What is the difference between set and follow?

[George Tsoukalas]

Here's the way I see it. Follow is when the bow curves around and the limbs take on part of the appearance of being strung. Let's say you start working a stave that has 3 inches of reflex. Your bow comes out with 1 inch of reflex left. Your bow has 2 inches of set. It really has no string follow. Jawge

[Apex Predator]

My take on it is as follows:

Set is when a wood bow suffers damage to the fibers on the belly.  

Set results in string follow, which is when the unstrung profile places the tips further towards the string than what is desired.

Some bowyers build string follow into their all wood or glass laminate bows, because it makes for a smooth draw and release.

[ranger 3]

So if you make a Osage bow and it looks like is is strung with a brace height of 3" but it's unstrung then it has a string follow of 3" and that is a bad thing?

[talkingcabbage]

Yes and no.  String follow makes the bow draw real nice, but it robs arrow cast.

[Pat B]

How does it shoot?

[Roy Steele]

When you first unstring your bow.And the limbs are curved back.This is string follow.As your bow sets there with time it starts to flex back into shape.When it stops regaining it's shape before it's straight.This is set alot of people thinks it's the same thing,it's not.