56” Belly Mount Recurve

[Kirkll]

Another advantage to extreme forward grip placement is that limb travel distance can be reduced, and the point in the draw the string lifts off the recurve increases. Take a good look at Border Bows riser and limb designs.  ( i'm not going to go into that debate on "Lift off"  that gets hairy. ) 

 A lot of guys argue that saying, "Hey! Drawing 28" is drawing 28" regardless of where the deepest part of the grip is located."    But.... If you think about it. Moving that grip forward 2", you can theoretically lower the brace height the same amount and increase the preload considerably. Of course you would still need to adjust the limb pad angle so you don't go too far. 

That's where an adjustable riser comes into play. With each different limb design, you have a different working limb location, and length. Each different limb design has a sweet spot where the preload on the limbs top out as you lower the brace, then it goes down hill if you continue to lower the brace and straighten the limb out...... Once you find that sweet spot on your new design, whether it be by feel and actual testing, or using an inline scale, then I measure from the string back to the riser block and mark 7.5" as the deepest part of the grip. That determines the best forward placement for my grip.

 The reason i go 7.5" is that it still gives you room for brace height adjustment without getting that brace below 7" .    I don't know about you guys, but if my brace gets down below 6 3/4"  i struggle with arm clearance issues. I much prefer a 7 1/4"- 7.5" brace for hunting.

Hey Flem..... What's the importance of your fulcrum point subject on how a bow performs? Just curious.....  Kirk

[Flem]

My curiosity is mostly esoteric. I work off the premise that every material and mechanical factor that comprises a bow, while individually might not have a measurable impact, cumulatively they will. Makes it easier to identify the compromises, or enhancements being made by design and material choices.

[Mad Max]

Moving that grip forward 2", you can theoretically lower the brace height the same amount and increase the preload considerably. Of course you would still need to adjust the limb pad angle so you don't go too far. 

I have the same Idea

[Kirkll]

Moving that grip forward 2", you can theoretically lower the brace height the same amount and increase the preload considerably. Of course you would still need to adjust the limb pad angle so you don't go too far. 

I have the same Idea

It might be fun to play with an extreme forward placed grip on a radical RC design without doing the belly mount.

 I've actually did a drawing quite awhile back on a one piece bow that never did come together, and basically became a shop door decoration. The limb design wasn't really correct for the forward grip location.

I think i'd want to do something with a larger radius hook with a  semi static tip design so the hook would only open to a certain point, then shift into static mode.... A two stage draw cycle is an intriguing idea i've been kicking around in my head, but never played with.  It would make an interesting looking DFC chart if nothing else.

Kirk

[Mad Max]

I got the idea from a Binghams 1 piece recurve I built but with a little more forward handle

[Kirkll]

Here is that old drawing I used to design a bow years ago, but never built the forward grip version.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9mZVNXxzPbaWbpJ7

[Mad Max]

 

[onetone]

Kirk - why the asymmetry end to end from the centerline on that riser?

[Kirkll]

Kirk - why the asymmetry end to end from the centerline on that riser?

Limb balance, finger placement on string, pivot point ,and  shelf height all come into play. I just got though writing a long winded explanation of this and my iPad died…

I’m not up for re writing it…. But with straight long bow grips or dished shape where guys are heeling down on their long bow riser, I use a slightly lower shelf and centerline to balance the pivot point without using a positive tiller adjustment .   Kirk

[onetone]

Thanks