selfbow question?

[bearbowman]

I'm not speaking of a particular wood species. this is purely a general question.

How do you feel about cutting in a shelf?

would you recommend it?

is it possible without affecting the integrity of the bow?

Bob

[DanaM]

Lots of guys do it, don't hurt a thing but you have to make sure there is enough wood in the handle.

[Pat B]

Lots do it but I don't. There is a chance that if the handle area bends at all the cut in area could split. Adding an arrow rest(I like a floppy or off the hand) makes more since to me...but that's just me. There is no reason to do it and in my opinion it is way more work...and I like a self bow to look like a self bow and not a glass lam bow.         Pat

[Coo-wah-chobee]

Looks outta place an like Pat said looks like a glass bow. Looks really stupid to my eye an besides ya dont need it imo....bob

[bearbowman]

I'm getting ready to start my first bow. i'm trying to ask as many questions as possible.

I figure I won't know if I don't ask.

[Pat B]

We like questions and folks that ask. How else can you learn.      Pat

[Badger]

   I used to cut shelves in all my bows simply because I didn't know any better. I still cut them in boo backed laminated bows if they have a riser but with self bow style handles I no longer use them, I do slighlty narrow the arrow pass area. Steve

[George Tsoukalas]

I think they are dangerous for beginners. You must make sure the handle area does not bend at all or it's Rice Crispies time. I don't do it because I don't want to.  Jawge

[Hillbilly]

It's possible, but to be honest I hate a cut-in shelf on a selfbow, for all the reasons already mentioned. I often add a small leather rest.

[Ryano]

Well, I must be the only one..... I always cut in a shelf if the bow design/wood allows for it. There is no reason it will break any easier than a laminated bow as long as you leave it thick enough not to bend. I've made probally a couple hundred selfbows with arrow shelves and I've never had one brake yet.  I actually prefer the way it looks as well as shoots......To each their own I guess.

[DanaM]

I was waiting for ya to chime in ryano

[FlintWalker]

What Ryan said...minus about 175 bows.

[koan]

I have done a couple just because I dont have that many different spined arrows and more center shot helps with that...But I do prefer to shoot off the knuckle or leather and I mostly like my little bendy handle bows and a cut in shelf is a no no there. Cant hardly beat the comfort of a bulbous handle with a floppy rest, thanks Pat

[Pat B]

Brian, You will have to thank Dean Torges for the bulbous handle idea and Mickey Lotz for the floppy. All I did was use their ideas(plagiarize)

[adb]

I very rarely cut in an arrow shelf on a selfbow. I don't think it's necessary, and I also don't like the way it looks. For a beginner, I don't believe it's a good idea.