One of my favorite aspects in archery is getting a new bow, or two, and getting them tuned. Normally it only takes me 20-30 minutes to tune a bow, but these two were a little more of a challenge. The 62"-50#, Samick Woodsman proved to be more of a problem than the little Howatt. After strings were made and served I started playing the brace height game using 2016 Arrows cut at 28-1/2" with 145gr target points. Up and down and then down and up went the b/h on the Samick until it finally decided to settle in at 8-3/8" and was fairly quiet with a good arrow flight. Then for a test I got out some more 2016's, but these were 29" with a 125gr target tip. They also flew straight and true so on went the nock point at my usual 9/16 above level. Back outside I found that the 29" arrows flew better so on went the old Kwikee and the arrows. #1 finished. The Howatt is a 2014 Independence that was made for bowfishing! It's 52"-50# and very light in hand. This one came with a string but it was all unraveled so I twisted it up and once again started the game. The recommendations said to start at 7" so that's what I did. I used the same arrows that I used on the Samick. At 7" it was awful, just noisy and crappy arrow flight. I went all the way to 8", listening for any changes. Then back down, and settled in at 7-7/16", ( I know, weird number, but quieter than both 7-3/8 and 7-1/2") so that where I left it. Once satisfied I came in, and affixed the nock point at 9-16" as my usual. Back outside, uh oh, the arrow fight wasn't too good. So back in, I reset the nock to 5/8" and took it back outside. Bam- great flight with brother arrows, so I loaded the old Selway slide on with the Autumn orange 2016's and called it good. Both bows shoot pretty well, for me any way. The Samick is as heavy in hand as the Howatt is light. Thanks for reading and looking at the bows. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Lance.

Another pic. Lance.

That should read "both arrows" not "brother". Gud ole spel chek agin! Lance.

That's? part of the fun for me to Lance. Setting up a new to me bow and getting to see how they feel. JF

Yup a lot of those Samicks like a brace height as high as nine inches. Both of the bows look good! Shawn

Good job. The only thing better than one new tuned bow is two. >>>------> Ken

I have started it initially setting the brace one every recurve to where the string is just off the string groves. Before I ever shoot it I flex the limbs up and down to see how stable they are and adjust it until they become somewhat rigid. I've found on all my bows I'm within an 1/8 of my final brace before I ever shoot it. I do a similar thing with reflex deflex longbows using the flex method and it works as well.

My favorite thing to do as well. Sometimes it's only minutes and once it was quiet an ordeal I'd pick it up try and put it back down for about two months. Finally got it done. But ya that challenge is the fun part.

Dkincaid, that is fascinating and any thing to save time and keep from stringing and un-stringing,to twist the string. Would you please elaborate on that. Surely you don't brace it so high it don't touch the string grove at all. Do you mean the end of the groove? Are you flexing by drawing and what do you mean somewhat rigid? I sure want to understand this. Thanks.>>>-----> Ken

Dkincaid. Good point and thank you for mentioning that part of tuning. I also do the same thing. It didn't work well at all with the Samick but helped with the Howatt. My oversight and a welcome catch by you. My hat's off! Lance.

2 bears its where the string is fully in the Grove just lifting off at the end. I hold the bow by the handle and push down slightly on the tips and pull up slightly back and forth. When the rocking of the limbs feels less noodley i know I'm very close to perfect

Thanks I will try that. Sounds like a good starting place until I get use to the feel. >>>-----> Ken

Jeez, and I never saw a post from you asking "what is the brace height" for either of them;-)

woodshavings,I am not sure what or who you mean. He stated the brace height for both bows in the first post. As for me, I wanted to learn how to set the brace height on a bow that I knew nothing about. Not what some one else,s brace height is. I hope that makes sense. I did notice the smiley but just didn't get the statement. Sorry. >>>-----> Ken

Lance, I'd be interested to hear how you like the Independence? Looks like a fine blind or treestand bow.

Darrin, Thanks for asking about the bow. So far I like it fine. Like the post states it was a little hard to tune but I think I've got the arrows flying pretty good. I've since removed the Bear strike plate and replaced it with thinner leather from an old wallet. That brings the arrow back into the center some more. There are some reviews you can read just by googling the bow. I did that too, but after I bought it. I'll be taking it for some carp shooting the end of April so I can report more then. If you draw more than 28" expect it to stack. I draw 27-1/2" and can feel it just starting to do so. The bow is well made and very light. A bow stringer is a must to as the limbs flex easily. I think Amazon is selling them too. Lance.

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