Hill with backset

[Stone Knife]

What is the difference between backset and string follow? Does this make the bow louder also what are the pros and cons?

[Lineman72]

My experience backset are faster little more thump. String follow slower less thump. Both will kill both will shoot awesome. Some bows vary depending on bowyer.

[centaur]

String follow is supposed to be smoother, with a small loss of arrow speed, while backset is supposed to give a bit more speed with the tradeoff being a bit of handshock or harshness. I own both, and I don't notice a huge difference between them. Maybe I am too club fisted to feel the variance. All my bows are in the 55 pound range, and they all shoot to the same place at hunting distances with the same arrows. The SF does seem to arc a bit more at longer ranges, however. Since I don't plan on taking 40 or 50 yard shots at animals, the difference between them is of little consequence to me.

[ron w]

The string follow I had was smooth and almost silent, mine was 45# @29"- 68" long. Plenty fast enough. I'd get another at some point!

[lbshooter]

I have both types with Howard Hill bows.  I have not been able to draw a correlation due to string follow or backset.  I think there are too many other variables that come into play. Each bow seems to have a character of it's own.  This is particularly true when you shoot older bows made by different bowyers working for HHA. I have a bow made by Howard himself that has a high degree of backset, yet it is as smooth and forgiving as any Hill I have owned. Limb core material and shape, handle weight and design, length, all seem to play a combined role in the shooting qualities.

[LongStick64]

I have a Northern Mist Retro Classic with backset and it has more snap to the shot in my opinion than a Hill bow without backset. For me it works great, I like that little extra feedback from the bow.

[Hud]

Back set might be only 1" and hardly noticeable in one bow, but harsh in another. Much depends on the design and weight in the limbs. Light tips seem to be faster, and smoother. Shooting a heavy arrow, a fast flight string with padded nocks (extra srands of B50 added) can help.  Best thing is to find one to try.  I have both, the SF are all wood, and the BS is glassed. I notice more difference than if the SF were also glassed.

Howard Hill built bows with 1.5" or more backset. A light grip helps when shooting one of those.