Do you use a round hook on the string or something wider which simulates three fingers on the string, when measuring draw weight on a bow?

I disagree. Theoretically, it does make a difference. Drawing with a wider pulling surface gives a slightly higher poundage. Likely it is more for short bows with acute string angles, and how much one's three fingers "arc" within the string. However, a couple of us spent some time with the geometry and we concluded that the difference in "effective draw length" when pulling with three fingers is approximately the same as a 1/4" diameter hook pulling an additional 3/16". Even if you disagree with that conclusion, assume we are off by 100% and the number is 3/8". If the string tension is building by 3#/inch, 3/8" difference in draw length is only 1-1/8#. Obviously, there are is a lot of room for argument against all the variables involved, including riser geometry, string angle, etc, etc.

So, from a practical standpoint, holezone, I do agree with you. It's a waste of time to worry about this.

It makes no real difference if that's your question.

Well, actually, the wider the draw point the higher the draw weight.

Imagine if the contact point was 20 inches wide you have essentially a shorter bow effect as you can't draw it back as far before it stacks. Same difference with the wider contact point of fingers except the effect is pretty minimal. The weeight difference is minor and probably the strain of maintaining a wide finger stance is greater than any felt difference in draw weight.

At the end of the day it doesn't make much difference since a single hook on a bowscale is what is used and that is the reference point. If forty five was really forty six is would be what any of us had experienced in measuring bow weight regardless of the particulars.

Thanks Tom. I was just wondering if it makes enough difference to change my scale hook and your info was informative. Some small difference but for me not enough to dither over. I'm going to leave it as it is.

We were wondering the same thing, that's why the calculations(guesswork! LOL~).

Here's a more important variable that no one thinks much about(although it also DOESN'T REALLY MATTER!) The AMO std for measuring draw length says to measure from the string nock to the throat of the grip and add 1-3/4". The conventional wisdom I grew up with measures to the back surface of the bow. So, what if your bowyer builds a riser that is 2" from the throat to the back of the grip?....or 1-1/2"? How does he measure it? I see well respected bows labelled with 47.5@# @ 28", or something similar. Shows me only that the bowyer spent money on a digital scale. But I always wonder if the owner knows that bowyers 47.5# may be measured differently from another bowyers! Not that it matters, but AMO issues a disclaimer about these measurements when applied to longbows and recurves. Because of differences in how people measure trad bows, the standard only applies kind of generally to those bows. So......what does that mean? Well......nothing!

Just to help my poor little brain here. So if the b/h is eight inches, theoretically you pull the string an additional 20" to measure the draw wt. @ 28". Lance.

Yeah Lance, that's right and even if the BH is changed the DW will remain the same @ 28".

Best way is to draw an arrow, put a clothespin on the arrow on the offside of the arrow shelf at your full draw. Then pull the same arrow to that point on the bow scale. That will tell you what you are pulling with that bow when you shoot. Everything else is just appox. for your info. when buying a bow. This will tell you what the actual draw is for you and give you an accurate poundage for arrow spine ect. Just pull to the same anchor when measuring that you do every time you shoot. Thanks, Roy

Lance, no. The standard for measuring a bow's weight is to measure 26 1/4" from the string to the grip's pivot point. So to do it 'right', you would draw it an additional 18 1/4" beyond an 8" brace... assuming it was measured to the same pivot point.

Back to the original question, yes it would be slightly different measuring with a hook or something that simulates a hand, but the difference is insignificant. Some folks just worry about some of this too much. In theory the draw weight of my bow would be different if I am shooting a deep six arrow, verses a 23/64 woodie as my fingers would be spread farther apart with the woodie. What if I'm wearing gloves? Are my hands small or large? Sorry for the rant but I shoot trad because I like the simplicity of it and don't worry if my draw weight is .73# more or less than it is marked. Have a safe 4th!

I am with you on shooting trad for the simplicity. It's just that I recently have gotten into making bows, so I have drifted over into the tech zone a bit ...

Thanks for the help. I asked b/c I will be purchasing a bow scale soon. Lance

I measure my bows by pulling them on a hook...the variance is so small it doesn't matter. I also measure them to the back of the bow, like I have done since the 1960's. The reason for that is that is where I measure my personal draw...since that is where I must deal with a broadhead on my arrows. AMO is standard for manufacturers to abide by (or not) and has always been voluntary. To me, my measurements are just for me, so I calculate them the easiest and most logical way.

I know Steve Turay measures his bows using a block that simulates three fingers on the string to get the most accurate measurement.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here