Board bow question

[Eric Krewson]

In my experience yes. I have had a number of solid glue on handles come loose at the transition to the limb, I have never had a shimmed handle come loose. I also got better at bow making about the time I started shiming handles so my apparent success might not be attributable to the shims.

[DC]

Do you have a WAG why? I can't understand it unless the glue line has a little "slippage" for lack of a better word. If the glue line works a bit you'd think that would cause it to fail eventually.
The only WAG I can see is that the using of the shims encourages the bowyer to make the fades a little better. The glue lines would show the taper better. Dunno

[IrishJay]

I think its more to do with elasticity in the glue joints than "slippage." Each glue layer can stretch a little and each shim can bend a little as the center of the stave pulls away from the handle. The handle can still be "rigid" as all this bending and streching would be imperceptible, but its just enough to spread the stresses throughout multiple glue joints, rather than focusing it on a single glue joint like a solid handle block would. 

[Deerhunter21]

I did a glue on handle for my first board bow! i don't suggest it. i look at my scar just..... wait a little bit.

[bubby]

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,35312.msg464947.html#msg464947

[Drawknife]

Thanks for replies everybody.

[Eric Krewson]

I believe it is glue flexibility as well,the urac I used could take a lot of bending.