Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: nsherve on December 12, 2016, 09:58:58 pm

Title: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 12, 2016, 09:58:58 pm
Is there an issue with doing a handle making the arrowpass directly on center (or as close as you can get it)? Not the whole handle/grip, just where the arrow will pass. It seems that the spine of the arrow wouldn't matter as much...
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: PatM on December 12, 2016, 10:01:53 pm
Only if you structurally weaken the handle more than it can cope with.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 12, 2016, 10:07:11 pm
What would cause it to weaken?
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: bjrogg on December 12, 2016, 10:33:26 pm
I like to cut mine close to center shoot. What could make it weaker is not having a thick enough handle. If your going to make it narrow it better be thick enough not to bend or twist.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 12, 2016, 11:56:32 pm
Yea, that's what I was thinking....I've never done it (I haven't made too many), so asking those who have the experience with it.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: dragonman on December 13, 2016, 05:25:55 pm
its not necessary to make a centre shot handle....not worth wasting time on, just match your arrows to the bow...IMHO
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 14, 2016, 05:14:47 am
Dragonman, I know it's not necessary, but I am absolutely certain that it is worth doing. It's not a waste of time if I could shoot the same arrows for every bow. It's also not a waste of time if I'm just trying something...even if it fails, it will help me to learn something.It seems to me, matching arrows to different bows takes more time than making bows that can take the same arrows (since you most likely need more arrows than bows).
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: PatM on December 14, 2016, 08:24:41 am
Centre shot does not make a bow capable of shooting any arrow.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Pappy on December 14, 2016, 09:01:03 am
Nope, may help some but the arrow still has to be tuned to the bow. :) Lot of other factors can contribute to bad or good arrow flight. ;)
 Pappy
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 14, 2016, 09:10:25 am
....and, that's why I ask questions ;D
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: nsherve on December 14, 2016, 09:14:51 am
Maybe I should clarify... by center, I mean the width of the bow, not the length.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: dragonman on December 14, 2016, 01:28:24 pm
the arrow must primarily match the power of the bow, If an arrow is too weak for a bow the bow will bend and break that arrow, if the bow is centre shot or not...its not practical or necessary to make a wooden bow with a centre shot....you can try, no doubt you'll learn things by trying ,  but the main thing you'll learn...is not to bother making a centre shot wooden  bow..



Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Pappy on December 15, 2016, 05:58:19 am
I usually cut mine in , some say NO but I like them cut in to about an 1/8 off center,as PatM said you have to be sure the cut in will handle the strain, if so no problem. If it bends there it's a big problem. Also I have to respectfully disagree dragonman, center shot will shoot a much heaver or weaker arrow than a non center shot or close center shot bow will. I do agree there is no real need , just tune the arrow to the bow, but to each their own. :) Some like it that way and some don't. Just like some want no shelf at all and some like me do. It's your bow do it how you like. ;) :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: bjrogg on December 15, 2016, 07:36:08 am
I agree with Pappy. Not necessary but I think easier to tune arrows to. I think it's just depends on what you prefer.  I just cut mine in with a hand saw probably takes me a whole 5 minutes but then I have some more fileing and  sanding to do. I'm not trying to say what is right way to do it. I feel that's your choice but I just do my handle last and usually plan for a close to center like Pappy said not really true center just closer.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: BowEd on December 15, 2016, 08:48:10 am
Kind of a rule of thumb for what you want to do is that it should be at least twice as thick depth wise as it is width wise at your arrow pass to be safe enough.No abrupt straight line angles with sharp corners.Everything rounded over and smooth.3/4" wide and 1.5" thick is used a lot with good results for stiff handled bows.That's at the arrow pass.Making longer fades can keep it from working too close to the handle too.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 10:50:13 am
Beadman is spot on . My handles are cut to the center of the string. I will try to show pic but I am having problems with sizing of pics. There is a difference in speed and arrow flight. I shoot 57 spine arrows out of a 47# bow at my draw. They fly fine . I do cant my bow to about 1 o'clock .
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: dragonman on December 15, 2016, 12:10:15 pm
  I  do agree Pappy.....obviously, closer to centre shot is less work for the arrow to get around the handle...and closer to centre will allow for a bigger variety of spine....I just meant that if the arrow is too weak, centre shot or not it ,can still break the arrow...so some arrow matching is still necessary....I find if my handle is no wider than 1 inch....I usualy go  for 7/8"....then it isnt much bother to match arrows that will fly straight and it  will still tolerate a variety of spines,  within reason....

anyway, Nsherve...you should have all the info you need  now...good luck
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 12:25:12 pm
Last try at more pics.
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 12:27:05 pm
Well I got them on here but they sure are squashed! LolArvin
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 12:31:35 pm
Once more. I am dumb. :-[
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 12:32:54 pm
Yea!!!
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: Selfbowman on December 15, 2016, 02:09:55 pm
As far as shooting the same arrow off all my bows . Yes and no. The arrows always need to be properly matched to the bow they are shot from. I do have more than one pro shooter shooting the same arrow off their selfbow that they shoot off their long bows of approximately the same bow weight. The cleaner the the arrow comes off the bow the longer the flight you will get. Badger will probably agree with this . He gets them arrows out there pretty far!  Arvin
Title: Re: off center handle (?)
Post by: bow101 on December 15, 2016, 03:23:17 pm
Centre shot does not make a bow capable of shooting any arrow.

Maybe not, but some expert archers appreciate it for what it's worth.   >:D