When you measure the length of a self bow... Do you generally measure tips of nock to nock or string groove to string groove to get the overall bow length? Thanks.

The overall bow length is tip to tip.

What are you trying to figure out?

A bow is a bow. Measure it the way you measure your other bows.

The measurement from nock to nock is what gives you the working length.

I measure nock to nock. Jawge

Appreciate it guys. Ty.

It is important for strings and maybe when you are first laying it out. I can't think of anything else. Jawge

Some guys will add plus 2 inches on their over all length when they lay a bow out for string nocks, and tips. 66 inch long bow would be 66 inches nock to nock, or 68 inches tip to tip. It is just how ever you want to do it to suit you.

I'm trying to figure out what bow length would work best for my draw length. Knowing how to measure it helps lol.

You want to use string nock to string nock measurement if figuring out suitable bow length for your actual draw length. Good luck on your bow.

Gotcha, Thanks PA Steve

So if I want a 62" selfbow. I need a 64" stave. Thats with 1" nocks right?

You need AT LEAST a 64" stave. That would allow for 1" limb tips on each end if you wanted them that big.

The string notches/nocks are where the string goes. Everything beyond that notch is limb tip.

That helps. Thanks guys

I make my Osage selfbows with 1/2” tips to keep from having extra mass. So 66” nock to nock is a 67” tip to tip. Any wood past the nocks is just extra mass. White woods may need more.

What Bentstick54 said is perfect for a 28" draw.

I have a 27" draw. My plain was 4" handle, 2" fades and 62" bow. This is a osage stave.

Think that would put too much stress on the bow? I have enough wood to bump it up to 64" with 3" fades. What do you think?

Plan* love spell check on my phone lol...

Forgot to mention. Limb width 1.75" and taper to 1/2" to tips half way down the limb.

I'd stick with 64" nock to nock. A basic formula is 2×draw length +10" for a stiff handle with 4" handle and 2" fades. Basically 27×2=54+10 gives you the 64" bow. 1.75 is plenty wide unless you're building a heavy bow. You can always reduce the width as you tiller if your limbs are getting on the thin side. Good luck and ask questions.

That will work just peachy.

My shortest so far is 63” nock to nock, 64” tip to tip. 4” stiff handle, with 3” fades. Probably 1-5/8” to 1-3/4” at the widest tapering to 1/2” at tips. Its my go to hunting bow at 50#@28”. Good shooter.

Again appreciate all the help. I'll change my plan to 64" and keep the 2" fades then. I'll be sure to post more questions as they come up. Thank you

I think I'll keep the 1.75 width for now. Like having a little extra to play with if I need to.

I never make tips much longer than 1/2 inch, and most are pin nocks. With an inch of material beyond the nocks you have enough material to play around with. For a 62 inch bow at 27 inch draw with Osage you can easily make the bow 1 3/8 coming off the fades to a little less than a 1/2 inch at the tips.You don't need all that mass with Osage if you have a good stave.

Well maybe I'll change my plans to 1.5" fades instead then. Sounds like that will still give me some wiggle room still.

1.5" off the fades I mean. Then taper them half way down the limb to the nocks

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