Ok i have 2 bw bows that are suppose to be 60 in bows. Even says 60 on bow.one measures right at 54 unstrung tip to tip the other one strung measures 56 strung. Now the satori I have on l I an measures 60 in tip to tip strung.why do the widows not measure 60 when it says on the bows they are 60. To mev4 to 6 in is a big difference.can some one with a bw marked as 60 p k ease measure it tip to tip. And tell me what you find.

Bows are not measured strung. Unstrung along the back.

[[[ "Bows are not measured strung. Unstrung along the back." ]]]

And the measured area is only from string notch to string notch. Not tip to tip.

Rick

Yep, what the guys said.

Not being smart , but the back is side away from the string..That had be confused befoe.

"Belly" side is correct.

I let JustPassin lead me astray. 8^)

Rick

Bows made to AMO standard will measure 3" shorter than the AMO bow length measured from nock to nock.

If the "widow" is an AMO 60" bow, it should measure 57" from nock to nock.

That's 57" when strung. If you measure the bow unstrung, like the picture above, it would be 60" long.

Crow Jim has it .my 60" widow I got from you is 57" stung. with 8 3/4 brace

They're measured along the belly, from nock to nock. From nock to nock on the back in a straight line will give the string length

Guys -

Actually, no.

AMO bow lengths are based on string lengths. A bow built to AMO standards will be 3" longer than the appropriate string (appropriate means a string that will give the recommended brace height.)

If your bow takes a 57" string, it's a 60" bow, if it takes a 60" string, it's a 63" bow.

1. That implies a low or no stretch string.

2. Yes, there will be some variation based on BH preferences.

3. That assumes the bow was made to AMO stds - good luck there.

Viper out.

Jim Castro's illustration shows how to measure an unstrung bow nock groove to nock groove. It's along the belly and not the back (face.)

That will give you the length of the bow.

A string 3" shorter than that length should work but some bows are oddballs.

I keep a selection of stretched "try strings" and use them to verify I will be close to brace with a string three inch shorter than the measured bow length.

I have an old Kodiak that measured 64" N2N but needed a string over 4" shorter just to get started twisting toward proper brace.

I never depend on the length marked on the bow for bows 1968 or older and even measure some of the new ones.

A recurve string marked 60" AMO should be 57" long.

"They're measured along the belly, from nock to nock. From nock to nock on the back in a straight line will give the string length"

If I apply that to a straight ASL, both measurements will be close to identical. :-)

Yup Belly is correct term. I catch myself using back and face sometimes. My bad.

Thanyou guys cause I did not have a clue.

I think strings can be 3" or 4" shorter than AMO depending on age. I don't have the references on hand, but the most recent AMO standard (since late 60's?) is 3" shorter. Prior to that, I believe the standard was 4". I recently got a 'garage' sale 1965 Grizzly. It's a 58" bow so I automatically put a 55" string on and got a brace height way to low. Got in touch with Bear and was told the Grizzly was made to the old spec so it needed a 54" string. That length put me right in the middle of the recommended brace height.

Another piece of input from Bear is some folks who use Dacron and Flemish strings still go with the old 4" standard. They get to the correct brace height through stretch and the twists/splice settling in.

Not trying to say this is 'gospel' but insight from a person at Bear that seems to match with my garage sale experience.

3river,s says 4" shorter than amo length on recurves and 3" shorter for longbows when getting a string. just to add fuel to the fire lol

My 64" Bear SK has a string from the factory 3 inches shorter , 61". I measured it. The brace is 8 3/4 with string completely untwisted. Could you imagine the brace with a string 4 inches shorter? Its 3 inches and always has been.

Oh and my Sentman longbow is also 64" and also has a 61" string and brace of 7 1/2.

AMO strings are measured under tension, 3" less than the bow length. An 8-10 strand string is measured under 50+/- 1# tension. Strings over 10 strands are measured under 100+/- 1# tension. If you measure a dacron string out of the package, with no tension on it, it will measure 3-1/2-4" under the bow length. How home made strings are measured is anyone's guess. AMO standards are easy enough to find on line. bvd

btw you measure a string while its on a strung bow. They are built under 100lbs pressure.

Here is a good write up from a person who has been on the AMO now ATA specs committee.

Some further reading on AMO history suggests like GLF says, the AMO standard has always been the bow length is 3" longer than the steel master string that provides the proper brace height. In the link below the author also gives some insight on the 4" measurement coming from the fact a Dacron string will stretch about an inch under the 100# tension spec. The article also has a photo showing a Bear Grizzly being measured. It's 57" nock to nock but it also needs a steel master cable length of 55" to make proper brace height, so it's marked 58" even though the nock to nock measurement is 57.

Whoops, the link did not show up. Try this:

http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml

Back in the 60's, when I first got into organized archery, the AMO was indeed as mentioned...notch to notch across the belly going straight through they riser. Why would it not be? You don't need a string if you don't have a bow first, and it's a hell of a lot easier to remember than trying to visualize a string length and applying it to a bow. Must have been a liberal scientist came up with that. 8^)))).

So my advice is measure the bow that you need a string for. Since it strings across the belly side that's where you measure. And when the string is on the bow but not in a strung position, it lays on the belly side..3 to four inches short of the top notch if the bottom loop is in the lower notch.

We sure as hell are good at confounding things. And yes...I know with the current AMO designation says regarding cables for measuring bow length. I personally think it's bassackwards and am willing to say so.

And let me add this: If you are shooting endless loop Dacron string, the 3" doesn't compute when you actually put it on the bow. It works great for for FF and flemish twist strings, but you likely need to look at 4" for an endless loop Dacron, otherwise you need to put a lot of twists...too many...to bring the endless loop to proper brace after stretch.

A relaxed length string measurement is as worthless as tits on an alligator, and just about as precarious when you try to use them.

Rick

CAN'T GO BY WHAT SOME BOWYERS RIGHT ON THEIR BOWS THEY BUILT IT NEEDS TO BE MEASURED. YOU COULD END UP WITH A LITTLE LONGER OR SHORTER STRING IF YOU GO BY THEM ALSO. THATS WHY WE ALL NEED TO KNOW HOW TO MEASURE FOR A STRING ITS A PAIN WITH SOME YOU CAN'T GO BY THE amo.

UPPS THE CAPS KEY ON. I wonder what a tited gator would look like. You Southern boys and the stuff like that dark thinking?LOL

When I was able to get strings made locally I'd just take the bows there here make me strings and set up for me and I was good to go.

Some bows aren't 60 either they might be 61 inchs that throws you for a loop when it says 60 on the bow also.

Bows are made to fit the string if the bowmaker uses the standards but most today don't. In order to get the suggested brace some bows may be a half inch longer or shorter depending on design

Ah, Rick, I think the saying is, useless as ___ ___ ___ s on a bull...old farm boy here. :) Jawge

Since nobody else will say it, I will. The expression is 'Useless as tits on a bull.' In fact 'tits on an alligator' is a ridiculous expression. Female reptiles don't have tits. There, I've said tits four times now. TITS!!! Make that five. lol

In my neck of the woods, the saying was always -"As useless as tit's on a boar hog."

I like originality though, so I used alligator, especially since it fits just exactly my description of measuring a relaxed string.

Measure a relaxed string for bow fit, and you might get away with it. Then again, there's just as good a chance it will bite you in the butt.

Try milking an alligator. You might get away with it. The again ...

Rick

Same here in Ohio Rick.

Rick, I had not heard the Alligator part so that's all original You. But DOES make a very fitting description. I worked with a man who used worthless as side saddle on a hog. I can only imagine how that one came up, but I also realize you'd be digging mud from your grinners if you tried it. As for the bow question. Thank you Crow for asking as I have had some older recurves that did not measure out right even when measured correctly.. Apparently.

-Bones

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