Self bow shelf question

[long shot]

How do you determine how close to center you should cut the shelf in on an Osage self bow?

[Roy from Pa]

I find the center of the bow tip to tip and measure up 1 1/4, some guys go a little more, some go a little less. It's your bow but I wouldn't cut in a shelf. I build a rest out of thick leather and glue it on. Cutting too far into the riser could weaken the bow and it could possibly break on you.

 

 

[Bowjunkie]

You don't have to cut it anywhere near center. Arrows can be spined to the bow regardless. I don't cut a shelf in. I build it up with leather and glue it on. My osage selfbows are approximately 1" wide at the arrow pass... so 1/2" from center. No issue whatsoever.

[George Tsoukalas]

I don't cut shelves in. If you do you need to make sure the bow is not bending in the handle at all. Like Roy I use leather. Info on mysite. Jawge
 http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/leatherhandle.html

[Black Mockingbird]

Ill cut a shelf in on a rare occasion...heres a few of mine for reference...

 http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=32310.0

 http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,36840.0.html

 http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=36133.0

[LittleBen]

I do much the same as black mockingbird shows in his first picture. I havent had a problem yet, except for the nasty looks poeple will give you for doing it.

[long shot]

Thanks for your help guys, jeff