What will happen of I shorten my bow??

[Butts]

I am in the process of adding antler tip overlays becaused I screwed up when filing the nocks.

I am wondering, if I screw this up again (and I probably will) is my only option to cut off the end of my bow and file new nocks?

This is my first osage bow. Right now it is right around 50# at 28". I would like to keep it around there, so will I need to scrape and sand a little to make weight?

Thanks for all your help. Chris

[JRY309]

It will increase the draw weight,how much I'm not sure.I had a 66" laminated longbow the tip overlay came off and I had the bowyer shorten it to a 64" bow.It gained right around 8-9 lbs. in draw weight,not sure how much a selbow would gain.

[Dave Worden]

Butts, looks to me like you know the answers to your question.  You were just hoping you were wrong, weren't you.  You're going to have to sand/scrape and re-tiller if you want to shorten it and still have 50# draw wt.  So have at it!  It's just a little more experience in bow making.  Oh, BTW, don't screw up your overlays again; unless, of course, you're interested in making a really short bow that no one can pull!!!!

[Jason Jelinek]

Every 1% decrease in length results in 5% increase in draw weight.

I had a 72" bow that was 37#@29" and shortened it to 69" and brought it up to 46#@29".

3"/72 = 4%
4% * 5 = 20%
(37 * 20%) + 37 = 45

It's not an exact formula but it will get you in the ballpark.

Jason