handle width

[youngbowyer33]

for a deep non-bending handle, can the handle be 6/8" wide or is that too narrow?

[n2huntn]

I've done it with oak and hickory and also ipe , so my answer is yes you can.
Jeff

[Pat B]

6/8" is 3/4" and that is almost too narrow but if the bow isn't too strong and the handle is deep enough it should be OK.

[Parnell]

I once had a boss that would rip you apart if you were a non-reducer.  Next thing you know, you'd be sent to the store to go get a board stretcher!
 
Anyhow, I've seen hickory bows with 3/4 handles that were up to 60#.  I've been bringing mine down close but slightly wider than this, lately.  I like the way they feel.

[Del the cat]

It's the thickness that's important to the strength.
Bottom line is make it thick enough not to break and the rest is down to comfort.

If it's twice as thick as the limb it will be 8 times stronger, so then if it's half the limb width that would still be 4 times stronger.
If it's 3 times as thick as the limb it will be 27 times stronger! So you could make it really narrow (1/8 of the limb width!) and still get away with it.
Of course in reality it's all about blending in the curves to avoid sudden changes of section and stress concentrations, also if you went too narrow you'd lose rigidity from side to side.
Hmm, I expect that's as clear as mud.
Del

[Marc St Louis]

I reduced the handle width to just under 3/4" on a 60# recurve bow once, once only.  It allowed the bow to flex sideways a bit so that the string would just about fall off the recurve, fixed it by inlaying a thin strip of wood inside the handle at the arrow pass.  Never did that again

[Kegan]

If the bow is short or lightweight, then the limbs will be thin enough not to cause a problem in the slightest. Otherwise... see "Black Betty went BAM-A-LAM"