Maximum width

[stuckinthemud]

Ok, stupid question time. Is there a maximum width for the handgrip of an elb style war/long bow?

[Del the cat]

You are limited by what you can physically hold and what the arrow will flex round.
1 1/2 -1 3/4" would be about the max.
Del

[stuckinthemud]

Thanks Del,

I've got hands like shovels and can grip a two-inch handle, but I was more concerned about whether an arrow would flex around such a wide bow.

[WillS]

You can make them over 2".  You just need a slightly weaker arrow.  A lot of the really heavy white wood bows such as hazel or plum are 2" or over.

[brian]

Hi Wills
         I see you've joined the Fruit and Nut  society !

[WillS]

Lack of "proper" wood Brian, that's all!

Got 13 staves of beautiful South coast yew seasoning however, so I'll be back to real timber soon enough

I do like the smell of the fruit 'n' nut bows when they're being heat treated though...

[OTDEAN]

You wanna try Ash WillS, I hear good things. 

[Yeomanbowman]

Many character staves will cast the string to one side slightly despite your best efforts to correct it.  You can use the side with a bias to it as the arrow past, thus reducing the amount the arrow has to paradox around.  This will minimise problems with wide staves. On a historial note, Mary Rose bow X-13 has a max width of of 42mm so is quite wide and goes over the 3/8ths 'rule'.  Perfect design for the fruit and nut society,  of which I am a fully paid up member!