Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Newindian on July 30, 2014, 09:09:50 am
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I think that stiff handles are the norm for many of the bowyer's on this site, and I've noticed many people , especially non-primitive shooters, seam uncomfortable with bending handles. Personally I think that if it isn't bendy then it's just wasting space and forcing a bow to be longer and/or more stressed. My question for you is which handle do you prefer and why?
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I prefer bendy's myself. I think mostly cuz i like short bows..and prolly cuz my 1st bow is a 56" bendy.. I have lost track of how many bows I've made..and they were most likely better than my 1st...but its still the bow i reach for when i head to the woods... Brian
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I just love shooting and making bows. Bendy handles are real fun to make. I see. To always make em bend too much in the handle, but I am working on getting em to bend less. They are fun to shoo too. I like of the handle bending at full draw. But I love the comfort of a stiff handle so for me it's a toss up. I am getting ready to post my favorite bendy yet in a couple of weeks.
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I'm with Matt. Like 'em both. I started by making stiff handle bows and was a bit intimidated about making a bendy, until I did and realized how easy it was. Now I just let the stave I'm working on dictate which way I will go. A bendy shot off the hand is hard to beat from a simplicity standpoint.
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Most of the bows I build now bend in the handle or right to the handle but only at full draw. I like to feel the handle give a bit as I hit full draw.
I think folks that are not familiar with wood bow building consider a bendy handle bow to be an inferior weapon. If they only knew!
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I'm getting used to the bendy handle bows and must say I like them but my most comfortable grip has a little more mass in it. Probably the most comfortable grip I could compare it to would be the straight grip that Jerry Brumm ( GN Bows) uses on his Ghost and some of the longbows.
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I'm getting used to the bendy handle bows and must say I like them but my most comfortable grip has a little more mass in it. Probably the most comfortable grip I could compare it to would be the straight grip that Jerry Brumm ( GN Bows) uses on his Ghost and some of the longbows.
You can get that custom comfy grip on bendys as well...the answers called CORK!!!! Glue as many ya want on to however thick ya want it back or belly or both sides, and shape it to your hearts desire..easy peasy!!! I love my cork built up bendy n slight bendy handle bows with a small shelf glued on for a "locator" feel/style
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To me there is just something about feeling that handle bend in my grip, that and my shooting style favors a shorter bow. But honestly I would not turn aside a stiff handle bow they are comfortable to shoot and beautiful looking at the rings cascading down the fades.
Grady
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blackhawk, IYO is the cork easier to use and work better than leather for the buildup. I've used leather, never tried cork.
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Ill take a 65" stiff handle when push comes to shove.
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blackhawk, IYO is the cork easier to use and work better than leather for the buildup. I've used leather, never tried cork.
Yes..without a doubt...I used to do the leather thing,but switched to cork...after the switch I said to myself what the hell was I thinking,and what took me so long to try it. It cuts,glues,shapes way easier n faster, and its better than leather IMO. And not nearly as bad superglue smoke and fumes burning your eyes and nose from the reaction it gets with leather...and did I mention it cuts with a rssp like butter..one stroke two stroke and done!!! :laugh:
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I have not tried cork but have been using leather to fill out the back of the handle for years. I prefer a bulbous style handle and the rounded leather on the back really fills the hand well. To each his own! ;)
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No preference here. Made them all and like them all. Jawge
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Everyone knows I like shorties, but I am more like PatB. I like them to bend just a little at full draw. Actually when making a Pyramid design I like the handle somewhat stiff and have it bending right up to the handle.
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In my eyes simplicity is beauty. The last several bows I've made were bendy handle and I try to keep them fairly short. You can really feel your shot when you feel the bend and the arrow slide across your knuckle while you draw. You know if it's a good shot a split second before you release. I guess it forces your senses to be more aware and I like being able to feel the bend and the arrow on my knuckle. If anyone hasn't made one yet you ought to make at least one and see how you like it.
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Most of the bows I build now bend in the handle or right to the handle but only at full draw. I like to feel the handle give a bit as I hit full draw.
I think folks that are not familiar with wood bow building consider a bendy handle bow to be an inferior weapon. If they only knew!
I'm with Pat, I like to feel my stiff handles bend at full draw, also. Most of the time I let the wood decide for me what it is going to be.
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I'm all about the short bendy handle bows. Just enjoy keeping things simple. And like blackhawk said, if you want a built up handle, just add cork, or leather. I don't really see myself making another stiff handle bow again, unless somebody request one from me.
Tattoo Dave
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I see them as two different beasts. Bendy bows are nice too shoot and quite pretty and very nice on time to make, while the stuff handles are a little more comfortable and more forgiving and pleasant to shoot. Depends on what I want to make. I am torn on what to make for a bow trade I have coming up. I am thinking bendy handle for simplicity and size, but accuracy and standing out from other bows is harder to do with a bendy. I like both but only to satisfy my different needs.
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I think that bendy handles are quite pleasing to the eye and when the handle is built up, they are delightful to shoot.
This bow is a bendy handle with a rectangular cross section and it is really comfy to shoot.
You just can't beat that sweet full-compass tiller that you get with a bendy handle!
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I have found it a bit harder to get used to the feel of a slimmer grip on bendy designs, but then I haven't done one with a particularly built up handle yet. That being said, I really like bendy handles because, with good form, I have a draw length of 31" (I usually draw 30" because my form usually isn't so great). Having that extra working length means I don't need a super long bow to accommodate my draw length. Also, the bend makes the bow feel as though it isn't just a stick, but rather something that is almost alive in your hand. You can never discount the way something feels as a valuable part of the experience. That is part of why I shoot a lever action rifle. It just feels slick and when you feel slick, you shoot slick. Just my .02.
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While building my first trade bow a couple of years ago, the handle popped off because of a slight bend in the handle. I built that handle up with leather and made several bendy handled ones after that. I did make the switch to cork, though. It seemed to be much easier to shape for me than the leather.
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like a stiff handle on heavier # nows..but a 50# bendy is really hard to beat for feel.
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My question on bendy handles is this.....when using 'marginal' white woods, ie, stuff that needs to be 1.5" to 2" wide so it doesn't explode, the handle would have to be almost as wide?!? Thats a handful of wood, and something the arrow really has to bend around on release. No big deal?
I ask this cuz I am building only my second bendy handle right now, and the handle portion is 1.75" wide.......Douglas maple, bunch of knots, decrowned (just because, no reason). Got it on the short string, getting it to 22" of draw, looking pretty sweet so far. Gotta go another 7" though.
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No the handle shouldn't be as wide as the limbs, it shouldn't bend as much either
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My question on bendy handles is this.....when using 'marginal' white woods, ie, stuff that needs to be 1.5" to 2" wide so it doesn't explode, the handle would have to be almost as wide?!? Thats a handful of wood, and something the arrow really has to bend around on release. No big deal?
I ask this cuz I am building only my second bendy handle right now, and the handle portion is 1.75" wide.......Douglas maple, bunch of knots, decrowned (just because, no reason). Got it on the short string, getting it to 22" of draw, looking pretty sweet so far. Gotta go another 7" though.
Use a pyramid design when you need a narrowed handle.
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I was just started using cork on my handles. Like blackhawk said, can't beat it! Its cheap, bends, and in my opinion might even help a bit with hand shock.
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Most of the bows I build now bend in the handle or right to the handle but only at full draw. I like to feel the handle give a bit as I hit full draw.
I think folks that are not familiar with wood bow building consider a bendy handle bow to be an inferior weapon. If they only knew!
100% agree, i love that feeling too right before full draw
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I like to make them and shoot them,, I think they shoot as well as any bow,,the last one I made shoots well and gets good numbers through the chrono as well,,
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Campx, when you draw out your bow outline leave the handle wide. When you reduce the thickness, leave the handle area thicker(about 3/4") and tiller only the limbs. As you tiller, get the limbs bending well, narrow out the handle area(1 1/4" isn't uncomfortable) and about 5# to 10# over the desired draw weight work the limbs back into the fades and handle area so the handle only bends slightly as you hit full draw.
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I went to town today to buy a car and stopped at Hobby Lobby for the cork. What's the best glue to use? I have cyco's, urac, TB III, and epoxy. I'm thinking a layer on the top and whatever it takes to get the shape I want on the belly side.
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I like the bendy handle.
It fits my style and with that style,its like you said,a stiff riser is a waste of wood and length.I believe many are uncomfortable with the working handle,due to the way most grip a bow.With the full grip most use with a static,its understandable why they are of that opinion.I use a minimal grip,with the bow handle,resting on the meaty pad below the thumb and the first,second and third finger tips resting on the bows back.Its more of a pushing technique,than a grip.with this style,a rounded or built up grip is a cause for more of a chance of torque,in my shooting.With this style,i need no type of arm guard either.
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Fred, TB glue should work fine but I've never used cork.
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Titebond will work but I started useing Superglue, you get to working it faster, glue some together and clamp between two boards to get a nice press, when it goes on the bow I wrap with stretch wrap, 20 min later I'm shapinguse a razor to cut the big pcs of waste off then fine rasp and sand
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Like for the ability to crate shorter bows.
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I prefer a bendy handle and a shorter bow, but often the stave will dictate something different. They both have their place,but IMOP bendy is best!