I like short bows, my question is altough my Robertson Coy Pup longbow is only 58 inches long the handle is short and the limbs are long. Does it matter how long a bow is if the working limbs are the same length as a longer bow?

Here is another example, Texas Recurve that is 60 inches but very short handle and long limbs. Both bows shoot great with no stacking out to my draw length, I'm only pulling around 27 inches but both bows pull smooth out to my draw length.

Sorry, forgot the picture

I like those kinds of bows too... sometimes.

"Does it matter?" Does it matter relevant to what? Accuracy? Speed? Stability? Force draw curve? Durability? Maneuverability? Sure it matters... and all matters something to someone.

There are always tradeoffs, but each attribute or quality of a bow, how it handles, or looks may not hold the same value from one individual to the next. Something that is a deal breaker for you may be meaningless to me or vice versa.

Properly executed, I personally don't think bows of that length forfeit much of anything to one several inches longer... for my applications anyway.

I've made them shorter than those two without fiberglass... just bamboo and wood, and yes, part of my 'equation' was to shorten the non-bending handle area.

Too much enters into the equation. It could have less performance, but with a good limb design it may not. It maybe easier to pull/hold without pre-load, or it may not...again depending on the design. There is always a balance that works well for each archer....but we are all different as well. Not sure what 'matters' means.

I am curious here to. Any bow will draw smooth to 27" it is when they start getting close to their max. they can stack up. I draw close to 30" and have not found a short bow that was comfortable to shoot. I have not had the opportunity to try a Coy Pup,Shrew,or Little Suckling. The ops question of short handle and longer limbs could be the answer. I hope more folks chime in.>>>----> Ken

2 bears---try a Ben Pearson Rogue. 58 AMO but draws smoothly to 30"

Let me ask this in a different way, if I have a take down Recurve with 45# limbs and I take those limbs and put it on a bow with a shorter handle does it shoot the same even if the bow is shorter. If this is the case overall length is not as important as the length of the working limb.

The change to a shorter handle may affect the poundage, for one thing...

Whether changing riser length, or limb length, both will change the string angle at full draw. When you put td limbs on a shorter riser, you increase draw wt. because now the limbs have to bend further at the same draw length.

MP

I am about to go out to the shop and mark my Schafer limbs for draw weight on the different length risers. For example, I have a set that was obviously scaled and marked at 54 lbs using a 17" riser. I weighed those limbs yesterday mounted on a 19" riser and they scaled at 50 1/2.

My question has always been; what changes can I expect from using long limbs on a short riser vs. short limbs on a long riser? I expect short limbs to be tight and snappy. Long limbs might be smooth and whippy, for lack of a better explanation. I think this may be the question being asked. IMO, the limbs should act the same regardless of the riser length.

Yes sir any time you change risers the weight and brace height will change. The length of the riser as well as the pad angle makes it a whole new game. That is different than the first two bows at the top, that are made that way. Longer riser lowers weight shorter raises it,all else being equal.

A Ben Pearson Rogue Eh? If I run across one I will try it. I love the idea of a short handy bow but never got one that worked. I certainly don't need any more wall hangers. Thanks >>>>-----> Ken

Poundage changes for sure as bear td’s show from riser lengths marked with poundages on the limbs for a A and B riser.

Shorter bows regardless of the ratio of limb to riser are going to have sharper/increased string angles when compared to longer bows. You can't emtirely defeat that. More severe string angle causes the bow to stack more quickly. That same incease in string angle causes an in crease the sensationof "finger pinch". That's why you don't see bows 48" long that only have 15" of deflex coming off the riser.

I've made bows as short as 40" and although you can tiller them to a surprisingly long draw length, you can't over come the string angle issue.

You're changing brace height, possibly the angle the limb is mounted at, and your 'leverage' on the limb. Longer limbs, more leverage. Shorter limbs on longer riser, more leverage. BUT, they will not feel or act quite the same.

A limb that isn't being drawn to its full potential will feel smoother. A limb that is drawn so it just starts to stack will be more 'efficient.'

As said above, there's usually a trade-off. I like smoothness, even if it costs me in ultimate performance. The thing is to find what feels best to you and allows you to shoot your best. One size does not fit all.

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