Need help with Brace height

[ToddRvs]

#5111

I have an old Gordon Plastics recurve bow from California. This is a wood recurve bow that is backed by fiberglass and pretty a typicle of early to late 60’s vintage recurve bows. The bow is 62 inches from tip to tip. The only markings on the bow is a 54 which I assume is the poundage. My issue is with the brace height. I purchased a 62 AMO string for it that is 58 inches long. I am only getting a brace height with this string of 5.25 inches which does not seem correct. I have placed several twists in th string and now I have a 6.25 brace height.

Does any one know what the correct brace height for this recurve bow should be. I have other recurves and they are all from 7.25 tp 8.5 inches in brace height. Should I go with a shorter string?

thanks

[David Petersen]

#37361

Gee Todd it’s a bit of a guess. I can say that most recurves, old and new, brace 7″ or higher. If you have other bows with shorter strings, try one of those. You know the basics of brace height: lower is better but when you get wrist slap and/or a noisy string you’re probably too low. Any trad bow shop worth its salt should be able to fit a string and set the height for you. Of course, most of us don’t have a local trad bow shop. Dave

[handirifle]

#38743

Nothing wrong with the longer string. Try it before replacing it. Be advised it MIGHT contact the back of your hand, otherwise see how it shoots. I remember bows when I was a kid seemed to have a longer string on them, but it might be bad memory.

On the upside, a longer string means longer powerstroke which equals more arrow speed for the same poundage draw. I know that isn’t top priority for recurve shooters, but it doesn’t hurt.

I say if it does not hurt the hand or the way it shoots, leave it. A 6 1/4″ brace height isn’t unrealistic. The bows I have used shorter brace heights on, have seemed to shoot quieter as well.

[strait-aero]

#39937

Maybe you can Google up Gordon Plastics and make contactwith those people…Just a thought.

[tom-wisconsin]

#43197

Make sure you are measuring the bow length correctly. With recurves you need the tape measure to follow along the curves and measure from string nock to string nock. With my 62 inch bow a 57″ string works better for me than the 58″ length.

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