pirate tech rules at WTT

[jwillis]

Probably the most impressive thing at WTT3 this year was how many first time builders submitted exceptionally fast and good-looking bows. Every one of them said they couldn't have made them so well so early in their bowmaking adventure without reading the tips and techniques shared freely on this site. No doubt, those who were also able to attend the event learned even more and will show even more improvements next year.

Here's the top things I learned at WTT3:
1) A bow doesn't have to be super narrow to be faster.
2) No hand shock comes from perfectly balanced limbs with low mass tips.
3) Perfectly balanced limbs have identical width profiles when the layup is correct.
4) Making your riser handle into an organic shape feels good in the hand.
5) A double carbon bow with too much reflex will flip-flop at brace.
6) The best limb cores are both stiff and light weight.
7) The best bow to shoot is the one with (absolutely) no hand shock and a good handle.

Jim

[Hornseeker]

How did you determine the "stiff and light" core statement? Just curious....

I feel like limb design/layup is much more important... but that is just my opinion with no testing to support it yet...

E

[Hornseeker]

By the way...what did it look like made the Centaur so fast?? and tell us some about Dan's bows? I 've heard a little about his cores... but what about design?

[Kenro]

DANS BOWS ROCK!!! PERIOD!!
But.... gonna have to ask him cuz I havnt got a clue as to how he did some of the things he did.

[BK in TEXAS]

By the way...what did it look like made the Centaur so fast?? and tell us some about Dan's bows? I 've heard a little about his cores... but what about design?

I still get confused on a lot of the technical stuff, but I was watching Dan's first bow fire from the side, and his limbs stopped DEAD after the shot. ZERO vibration. That's all I know.

BK

[jwillis]

How did you determine the "stiff and light" core statement? Just curious....

I feel like limb design/layup is much more important... but that is just my opinion with no testing to support it yet...

E

Ernie, I am guessing that based on the performance of TJ's glass bow with all hickory cores. I agree that design/layup is important, but I'm thinking my bows would be a bit faster with better cores. Mine had actionboo back/belly with a cherry core. I know my design/layup is good so I'm looking for more options. I made the statement above based on what I saw at this year's event. I'm not trying to make an absolute or complete list here. I'm sure there are many things I'm taking for granted while writing this list today. Jim

[Bill Howland]

all hickory cores

Are hard to beat! Just be careful on the type of Hickory. Alot of guys like elm, but they are not as stiff as hickory and yes, elm is lighter. BUT, stiffness I feel is more important than over all weight.

[Feral Donkey]

By the way...what did it look like made the Centaur so fast?? and tell us some about Dan's bows? I 've heard a little about his cores... but what about design?

He used moon rocks, Kriptonite, and some bow soul he made when he extracted duck saliva and mixed it with MEK. I didn't see him drive away when he left. I think he took the flying saucer back home.

[Hank]

I think his cores were actually made of a couple of scared puppies and 3 really cute kittens.... using the kittens out more towards the tips as they would be lighter.

[Hornseeker]

I just hope he chimes in now and again in the gallery... obviously has some valuable input and there are a lot of guys that use the gallery to get new ideas and build better, higher performance bows!!

I am just not convinced that core stiffness matters...I guess I can try some hickory or walnut or paduk that is nice and stiff and Very similar in weight to the foam...which is VERY limber... and see... OK..I"ll do that. I'll try and keep all else equal....

E