How short can I go?

[tetaxidermy]

Have an osage stave I've been working on it is 71'' ntn I would like it a little shorter. I have about a 28 1/2" draw, how short can I go shooting for 50-55 lbs. thanks.

[sailordad]

i would think 66" is acceptable

[El Destructo]

                    A Bend through the Handle Osage Design....60 is all too possible for even a Novice Bowyer

[tetaxidermy]

Thanks for the info.

[FVR]

60" should be no problem.

Bend through the handle, osage, you could go down to 57". 

[Justin Snyder]

My first selfbow was a 64" Osage that pulls 65# at 29 1/2" with a 10" non bending section in the middle.  It is very possible for a beginner. You have a recourse at your disposal that bow makers of the past didn't have, this website. Post pictures and ask for tillering input. If you don't get in a big hurry the great people on this site can help you turn out what was unheard of before.

[otis.drum]

how short do you want to go, and why do you want to go short? there is no harm in going short, but there are things to consider.

while i would agree you CAN go short, if you go below a certain length, relative to your draw length, you start to bring your string angle, at full draw, below 90 degrees. this can bring around a couple of problems, however minor you may find them.

finger pinch, more so for split finger release.
stacking, less prevelant in wood bows.
poorer efficency, as the string angle goes past 90 degrees you are also robbing your bow of potential efficiency, for as you are pulling the string back, the string is trying to pull the limbs towards each other rather than back towards the archer.

just a couple of things to consider.

[tetaxidermy]

I went with 66" just feels more comfortable and seemed kind of slow longer. Getting her to bend pretty good will post some pics in the next couple of days want to make sure tiller is good.

[mullet]

 I like no longer than 64"with osage and had a sweet, bend in the handle 56",55# @28"that Marvin made and gave me.