Ozbow

Ben, there is no "always" when it comes to string length (or much of anything else in this sport it seems). I've seen recurve strings vary from 2.5" shorter than the bow length to 6" shorter; longbow strings from 1.5" shorter to 4" shorter. AMO states 3" shorter, l...

Trial and error! lol Easiest way to get a close idea is a string with one loop and tie a bowyer's knot in the other end. To get the AMO bow measurement, use a cloth tape and measure from the top of one string groove, along the edge of the limb (do follow the contours), through the center of the rise...

I think we both misunderstood some Dennis--I may still be misunderstanding. I also said that would anyone be so lacking in common sense as to seriously consider that they would obtain that advertised performance. My answer to this is a definate "YES!". Some folks don't realize how tests ar...

Dennis, my point was/is that many of the tests I've read were misleading. Maybe not intentionally, but I'm not alone in that respect. Often you have to get into the "fine print" to learn that a test was done on a shooting machine, with release aid, etc. Also, many factors are often left ou...

why then is the 200 fps mark so unacheivable or unbelievable It can be acheived, even blown out of the water--with the right set-up. I have no doubt I could get speeds in excess of 220 fps with my longbow, but that would be with light arrows, tiny string, no silencers, short serving, long draw, etc...

I figure that a real test would be too much of a pain for anyone to bother with, and I also figure there would be some bowyers/manufacturers crying foul when "real world" tests showed speeds much lower than published reports. One thing I'd want to see would be silencers added and a decimet...

There is an AMO (or whatever it's called now--the name changed some time ago) standard, but as far as I know there is no organization that caters strictly to traditional bows or regulates any testing. Tests can be skewed in a number of ways, so I'm leery of them. They can be changed purposely, or by...

Some shorter longbows will handle 30", some longer ones won't--best bet is to research the particular bow you are interested in, then ask a lot of questions--primarily ask the dealer or manufacturer. I draw 30.5" on my longbow, and in this particular style the 66" fits me perfectly. I...

Lots of dealers in the U.S. carry Grizzly broadheads--Kustom King, Lone Wolf, etc. etc. etc. If you need contact information or help getting them, just let me know. I'd have to look to see if anyone is still carrying Mercury nocks. Lots of folks quit using them after the company changed hands the qu...

Mick, I'll try to remember to get the Pounds out and take a picture or three this week. I'll have to send them to your e-mail--I have no idea how to post them. I used to own well over 30 different bows--some wall-hangers, most shooters, but broke that habit. I tend to stick with one or two bows at m...

I couldn't say it isn't a defect in the material, but I can say their bows will hold up to punishment very well. I've been using the same longbow for 8 or 10 years now, for hunting, tournaments, and play. I've been using a Hunter I recurve just for bowfishing for about the same amount of time, but o...

That kind of ding won't always leave a mark in the finish--it didn't on mine, even after a hard fall on concrete.

I appreciate the good word Mick--keep a sharp eye on it, and if need be let me know so we can take care of it.

Chad

Very nice Mick! I'm not a collector, but I do like the unusual style bows. I wanted one of those for many years myself, and finally got one a few years ago from a friend. Mine is still in the original box, but doesn't have the carrying case. I've never even strung it--I'm afraid of damaging it due t...

Had a couple of those appear after I dropped my bow--so far, they aren't growing and I've shot it a lot.

Keep an eye on them--wouldn't hurt to inject some glue if you can. If they keep growing, let me know and we'll see what can be done.

Chad

How is your nock fit? If it's tight, that can affect arrow flight.

Chad

I figure most folks know how it goes, with any business--you have to bust your hump for years to get a good reputation, but it doesn't take long at all to mar it. CM just had a string of incidents pile up. One here or there wouldn't have been too much to get past, but they didn't have time to recove...

I don't have any complaints about 450+ and 8125, but Dynaflight '97 is my pick. I use both Halo and #62 Braid serving--the Halo is slicker, but more apt to slip. Both are very tough, and come in different sizes to fit most any type nock. I like 12-14 strands on most bows, unless they are very light ...

Hey Mick--you have another option. Some (all?) inserts are threaded on the back side, allowing for screw-in weight systems. A cheap alternative is threaded rod, or "All-Thread", which can be cut to the size/weight you prefer.

Chad

I almost forgot--when cutting fur silencers from a hide, fur side goes down.

Chad

They are fun, and hard to loose, but my experience on small game has been pretty lousy. An alternative is the Ace Hex-Head blunt. Not quite as "un-looseable", but the concave point with edges catches on more things than a regular blunt or field point, and from what I've seen they do a LOT ...

Most any fur will work--I've used fox, bobcat, mink, raccoon, otter, etc. along with beaver. Water critters are preferred because their fur naturally sheds water, at least for a while. Use a tanned hide. Cut strips about 1/8" wide and about 6" long. A word of advice here--use a very sharp ...

Glenn, what size/shape do you cut the fleece? I'm always looking for something better.

Chad

I like cat whiskers myself. I love the look of fur, but it didn't work as well for me. I haven't tried fleece (sounds like something to try in the future), but have been happy with cat whiskers. I tie them on around the string so they are easy to adjust (and you do have to tune your silencers, just ...

Very sorry to hear of your misfortune Ubbrd. What part of the U.S. is this fellow located? I travel to a lot of shoots, especially in the Southeast, but I've never heard of him or his company. There are a lot of fine bowyers here in the U.S., and not every cheap bow is junk, but I know that where th...

Jeff advised I do this, so here goes. I'm a dealer for Chek-Mate Archery, make custom bow strings (flemish or endless--trad only), and offer a DVD on building strings. My site is www.recurves.com . We hope to be offering a few more items soon, including a very nice bow case and a new broadhead sharp...

Thanks men! If anyone gets condolences, it should be my bride! I got myself a real gem--how many folks can say they visited the Bass Pro Shops main store in Springfield, Missouri on their honeymoon? Also made a stop by Grey Ghost Archery, and three days after we got home I left for 11 days to go to ...

Thanks Jeff! I had a great time, but I'm glad to be back. I did learn one thing--I'll never leave for 3 weeks straight again (unless I get a chance to visit Oz of course!)! I've been too piled up to pay much attention to the boards--I had almost 400 e-mails when I got home, plus snail mail and phone...

Why do so many of you folks shoot with overly large diameter shafts for hunting? I can understand it for target or ABA as a line-cutter but surely for hunting you want your shaft to slip through with minimal resistance, therefore a smaller diameter shaft would be ideal. Just an observation here.......

How the bow was made, and how the string is made, will generally dictate if a low stretch material can be used. I've seen several bows break, but only two that could be directly attributed to the string that was on them. Both were very old recurves, both were using FF strings (flemish), and both had...

If you got with the Jo-Jan, be sure to do ONE test arrow before committing six at time to the jig--if you goof, it will be six goofs instead of one.

Personally, I prefer one Bitzenburger and fletch tape--I can fletch faster like that than I can with a Jo-Jan and glue.

Chad