I know to unstring a self bow when not in use. But would like to know if 7” Brace height would be to much for a 65” ntn @ 28” draw. I seem to be hitting my forearm a lot. I don’t do it with my recurved but most of them have an 8” brace height.

I find on my Osage selfbows about a 6-1/4” brace height works the best. They are between 63” and 66”. The lowest brace it you can tune with is usually recommended from what I understand.

Thanks Brian. I appreciate all the advice.

I don't know how you are measuring.

I measure brace heights from string to the back of the bow and usually are 7-3/8". I remember one that was 7.5".

jawge

There is a strong possibility that due to the difference in the grip profile you are putting your hand too far "into" the grip and that is what is causing the arm slap.

Remember with any bow every extra inch of brace height is akin to an extra inch of draw length as it pertains to stress on the limbs.

I'm also in the camp of liking to keep my brace height as low as possible on any bow.

Sorry, I should have mentioned my bows have a straight handle and I measure from the belly of the handle. My handle are about 1-1/4” deep, so to the back of the ( of bow ) brace would be about 7-1/4”

Thanks Jawge, I’m measuring from back of handle to string. I just don’t want to over stress the limbs.

I try to keep mine relatively low too, but I don't go by a measurement exactly. I reference the brace height with a freckle on my arm. Got any freckles there? ;^)

With low braced selfbows, it may help to turn the heel of your bow hand out from the grip a little bit as Frank mentioned, that's how I shoot most any bow. And make sure you're not locking your elbow quite as straight as it'll go.

That said, since they are selfbows and not glass, at brace, check where the string lays over the handle. I've seen some quite a ways off center, to the bow arm side, making it more likely to hit the arm. I've also seen selfbows with a lot of character, or propellor in the limbs, rotate at the shot, taking the string over to the bow arm. Probably not the case, jes sayin.

I'll measure some to the back of the bow when I get home.

String tracking is the culprit for moist arm slaps with self bows. I don't touch my arm and I don't wear a guard unless I have a puffy winter coat on. Brace height is whatever the bow dictates based on tuning, no different than any other bow.

The best way Ive found to find brace is to get the brace height just high enough that your fore feather doesn't touch the back of the grip. Move up from there. Listen to the bow, watch the arrow and be aware of how it feels in your bow hand at release. Give the string 5-6 twists and shoot it again several times. Eventually you will find the perfect height.

I have mine set at 6” like a long bow. I’m going to try moving it up a little. Thanks for all the input.

What is your string material? B50 will let a string hit the handle with a lower brace height.

X2 with Pearl, the bow dictates your brace height. I like to start with a low brace height and shorten the string until I get good arrow flight. I've noticed self bows are harder to get tuned than my other bows. Your arrows spined right for your bow helps tuning.

Fast flight string Pat.

I use a fistmele measure to start and that generally works with most. You do fistmele from the belly of the riser and that's how I measure all of my bows, not from the back.

You're probably turning your arm into the string.

Tiny bit of bend to the elbow and stop your wrist from collapsing to the outside if that is happening at all.

No freckles Jeff. But I could draw a few on with a sharpie.;) I’m going to raise the brace height a bit. And if worse comes to worse. I will use an arm guard. I never needed one before.

D. Lewis, just be aware that too low a brace height will cause the arrow to bounce of the bow with a loud thwack which is very similar to the noise made by arrows that a the too stiff.

I start at fletch clearing distance and increase as needed.

Jawge

fistmele x2. John

Fistmele is useless, no offense whatsoever guys.

I do like Pearl explained. Bjrogg

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