i think so.

 

A few years ago I had Border Archery make some limbs for my Black Widow. They were very excited to get the opportunity to have a Black Widow in their hands to do some testing based on the reputation Black Widow had developed.

Based on Border's tests...belly mounted limbs are not as efficient as back mounted limbs...generally speaking.

Their explanation was...even when belly limbs are tight against the bow's riser, the limbs do pull away from the riser at full draw. Whereas back limbs are pulled into the riser.

IMO...this is really only an issue if you are trying to create a bow that takes advantage of every possible design characteristic for speed.

As we all know...speed isn't the only thing to consider when buying a bow.

Black Widows have a good repretation for a reason. They're great bows with great shooting characteristics just as Border bows are.

I've shot a Black Widow for years...and love 'em....especially the shape of them.

IMO...you will not be disappointed with a Black Widow...especially if you have one custom built for you.

Besides draw weight, draw length and bow length...the grip rates right up there with importance when customizing a bow...so make sure the grip you choose fits your hand and the way you shoot.

Ray :shade:

 

On the BW, notice the limb angle is non-existent, i.e., limbs are on parallel plane to riser centerline, which both are straight. The belly mount provides the stability of a deflex bow (moved the limb butts toward archer & behind grip) but without having the acute angle of the limb pads. Maybe it maintains more power that way over other deflexed designs - don't know.

 

Ray and Sanford thank you; I never really stopped to study the same plane approach of the BW limbs. BW is definitely on my must have list of bows. Im currently shooting a Maxxis 31 60#, Turbohawk 70#, but more then either of those I'm really enjoying my GMII 55#. There's no denying the reputation of the quality craftsmanship in a BW.

Thanks again,

Thad

 

Thad, I don't know if there is a net gain, though. Theory would be that moving the limbs closer to archer loses string stoke as any deflex does (less speed), but the higher angle of the limb pad would provide greater power at the beginning and end of string stroke (like the difference caused on bow weight by turning bolts on adjustable limbs). Whether it nets a gain in power?????

 

Thad -

The reality is, that while BW's theory is sound on paper, when high-end (read high $$$) bows of dissimilar designs are tested side by side, the differences are usually within statistical error. So, IMHO and my informal testing: no, it really doesn't matter, other than giving a bow a distinctive look.

Viper1 out.

 

You know, I too would think that similar geometry relationships could be had and does be had by different design, if we find some to match up based on those relationships. I agree. It would appear that to obtain those geometry configurations would mean no more than venturing from their distinctive design to looking like other bows.

 

Today, I spoke with one of Bingham's bowyers and was told that, as I understood his explanation, it's more the angle of the limbs then the location of them that determines performance.

 

Thad -



Yep. If you start playing with ILF rigs (which are limb angle adjustable), you'll see immediately how playing with the limb angles (reflex vs. deflex) can affect performance.

Viper1 out.

 

Talk to Pete Ward. He tested a forward riser TD recurve for a Jack Kempf, a bowyer in Canada... I believe.

On other websites, Kempf bows are said to be a have to have and never let go, bow.

 

Very cool then, and thank you all for the valuable input.

Thad.