Your take on bending handles

[mullet]

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.

[tattoo dave]

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

[CustomArcher15]

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.

[VicNova]

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!

[jasonoflivingston]

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.

[lesken2011]

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.

[4dog]

like a stiff handle on heavier # nows..but a 50# bendy is really hard to beat for feel.

[campx]

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.

[Newindian]

No the handle shouldn't be as wide as the limbs, it shouldn't bend as much either

[JonW]

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.

[Lefty8917]

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.

[BOWMAN53]

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

[bradsmith2010]

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,,

[Pat B]

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.

[Fred Arnold]

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.