Bow length

[ChumpMcgee]

#4016

Here is a silly easy question for everyone, I am looking at getting another bow but currently it does not have a string on it. The research that I have done on the bow says that it is a 62″ recurve. Does this mean that when it is unstrung it is 62″ long? Will I need a 62″ long string for it?

[shreffler]

#26045

The AMO length of your bow is 62″, which means when you order a string you will need a 58″ string. The general concensus is that recurves take a string 4″ shorter than the overall length and longbows take one 3″ shorter.

You need to pay very careful attention when ordering a string though, as some strings are listed by AMO length. So when you look at a string, if it says 62″ AMO that means that it’s actually the right size you need for a 62″ bow. If it says the sizes are listed as the actual string length, then you will need to choose 58″.

Also, if the bow is vintage, it’s safer to use a Dacron B-50 or B-55 string rather than a fast flight string to avoid breaking the tips. (Some may not deem this necessary I suppose but it can’t hurt to be safe)

Hope this helps.

Alex

[ChumpMcgee]

#26048

Perfect. That is exactly what I needed to here. Thank you for the help!

[shreffler]

#26054

No problem!

And to answer your other question, when it is unstrung that is the actual length if you measured from tip to tip and laid the measuring tape flat along the bow the whole way.

If you were to measure it in a straight line from tip to tip it would be roughly 2 or 3″ shorter than the listed AMO length.

Good luck!

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