Just curious , I have read that Fred Bear would file his arrow shelf down on his personal bows so the arrow would sit even with his knuckle .
G Fred Asbell says about the same thing .
I have had bows that the shelves were like that and I have had ones that were higher . I can't tell the difference , my new Super Grizz is about 3/4" above my hand and it shoots absolutely wonderful . My Bear Takedown is about 1/4" above my hand and it also shoots wonderful . I have a longbow that is so low I cut my knuckle once in a while, but I can shoot it just fine .
My question is , what is your thoughts on this ?
shelf height
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Please keep hunting posts to Traditional Bow Hunting. No canned or high fence hunts or stories allowed. Please be respectful of fellow members and helpful to those with questions. Treat others like you like to be treated. There is a Japanese word that I try and model my life after.
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Please keep hunting posts to Traditional Bow Hunting. No canned or high fence hunts or stories allowed. Please be respectful of fellow members and helpful to those with questions. Treat others like you like to be treated. There is a Japanese word that I try and model my life after.
GAMAN: patience..dignity..restraint.
shelf height
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
Re: shelf height
When building a bow the center is where the upper part of your hand sits in the grip. This balances the bow in your hand when carrying. I usually measure about half to an inch above that an cut my shelf. Then raidus or curve the front and back of the shelf down along with some center. Closer to your hand the better if you cant your bow when shooting. Those who shoot holding their straight up and down vertical can get by with more distance between hand and arrow, many even shoot from elevated rest in this case putting the arrow farther up.
Re: shelf height
I shoot canted 30 deg . I can shoot almost horizontal , vertical and about 30 deg negative . I notice no difference .
I like chanted just because it is more comfortable and I feel I have better arrow control on the draw .
The biggest thing for me is to anchor in the same spot . i e middle finger tip in the corner of my mouth with my first knuckle under my cheek bone . If I let my knuckle be next to my cheek bone I can shoot as much as 10" to the left @ 20 yards .
I like chanted just because it is more comfortable and I feel I have better arrow control on the draw .
The biggest thing for me is to anchor in the same spot . i e middle finger tip in the corner of my mouth with my first knuckle under my cheek bone . If I let my knuckle be next to my cheek bone I can shoot as much as 10" to the left @ 20 yards .
"Maybe the truly handicapped people are the ones that don't need God as much." ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
Re: shelf height
A friend of mine went to Alaska this fall and because of the wet conditions converted his bow to an elevated rest so he could shoot plastic vanes. I asked him if it caused any problems as far as the arrow hitting where he wanted and he said it was not a problem.
I have a Bear recurve purchased new in 1959 at one of Fred's shooting exhibitions. The shelf on the bow has been modified as per Fred's directions, arrow sits right next to your knuckle.. I don't see much difference in the impact point between my bows at close range.
I have a Bear recurve purchased new in 1959 at one of Fred's shooting exhibitions. The shelf on the bow has been modified as per Fred's directions, arrow sits right next to your knuckle.. I don't see much difference in the impact point between my bows at close range.
Re: shelf height
Hold your bow in hand with an arrow laying on the rest, you dont need to draw, just cant your bow up and over. If your arrow is up on an elevated rest watch how much it changes where the arrow is aimed. Now do the same on a bow with the arrow right down close to the hand, notice how the arrow stays pointed close to the same place, that alone will show you why close to hand helps when canting.
Re: shelf height
Reguardless of what you shoot your internal sights will learn to make adjustments if you shoot enough.
Re: shelf height
I can't see this really effecting anyone that shoots instinctively unless you change it after shooting off a riser. I guess if you shoot long and recuve, and shoot long bow off your hand, the two bows would have similar aim points but again that's only if your gapping or string or face walking. I'm also pretty much a newb so take it for what it's worth!