Whats the differance Static or working recurve.

[jeffg]

I know this topic had to be covered before the difference in the two. When I think static I think of the 30s and 40s Bears. Now I see bows that are called static and they look like other recurves built today. What makes then static? I have a Robertson Fatal skyk that I figured was active but the "Statics" built today look like it. I guess I will have to contact Dick or Yote and see If the Fatal styk is active or static.

[nineworlds9]

Jeff, your Fatal Styk is a working recurve.

Static recurve means the last portion of the limb does not bend at all.  Study some full draw pics of static vs. working recurves on the net and you'll see what I mean.

In my experience the draw on a static recurve feels me more like a longbow, but the recurved tip adds the speed a longbow can't.  They are very nice for the person that likes a longbow but wants a faster bow to shoot on occasion.  I will say that some of the top hybrid longbows aren't really that far off the statics in speed.  

I'm sure Sixby or Kirk or Wingnut will chime in soon.

[Pat B]

On a working recurve the limbs work all the way out to the tips, the tips open up as the bow is drawn. On a static recurve the tips remain static(do not open) from brace to full draw. Static recurves act like levers as the bow is drawn.

[jeffg]

Visually how can you tell. I have seen some to claim to be static and they look like working

[Pat B]

Generally it is obvious. You could trace the tips at different draw lengths and compare the tracings.

[Simplify]

I'm a little slow here I guess, and real fuzzy on the concept.  Static tips are a pretty old claim to fame me thinks.  If stats are superior, why are some of the more modern bows made with working limbs.  To a Newbie, non working limbs would seem to be non working (dead) weight on the limbs.

Talk to me like I'm an old man (I am).

[KenH]

A static recurve, like a horsebow siyah, acts like a lever.  It add a sort of 'flip' motion to the end of the bow limb movement.  Similar to the way an atlal thrower acts as an extra long arm.

A working recurve acts like an unwinding coil spring at the end of the bow's limb.

Both add energy to the arrow as it is released.

[Sixby]

True statics do not bend at all or at least not noticeably through the recurve. In the older models a lot of material was used to accomplish this. Now bowyers have learned to use geometry and just a little added weight in the way of tip wedges ect to accomplish the same thing without adding physical weight.
If you shoot a modern static you will immediately feel the difference. The tip acts like a cam and makes a very even draw force curve through the entire draw cycle.
This makes a very fast arrow with even pressure applied from release through the entire process. This contributes to good arrow flight, speed and considerably less limb slap as the string just barely comes off of the limb at full draw. It basically rolls back up at release instead of slapping the limb. Lots quieter, less vibration because the limb is not flopping around.

I am building a new limb right now that will be a large recurve with a slight geometry induced static and then just the last part of the tip full static. Sort of a working recurve with static tip. It is going to be real interesting if it works.
I have never had anyone shoot a static that I build that did not like the bow. At least not that I know of. Not because I built it but that is my experience. I can say for myself I am not going to be going back to a full working recurve , Ever.

God bless, Steve