High performance Hunting Bow Build: Bracing & Balancing the Limbs
To start with we will set the bow at a low brace height as to get a feel for how the limbs are bending. Low brace is a reference to how far the string is off the handle when the bow is strung. You can prepare a custom string for this or use any strong cordage you have available, bailing twine works very well for this task. As before we place one end of the bow on the ground before placing one left over the handle area. We then use our hand to push the top bow tip bending the limbs. This allows us to slip the string over the nock. You can also use your knee to bend the handle down if its more comfortable for you.
With the bow at low brace we can now check the limb balance. At this stage do not pull the string at all as this can overstress any weak areas on the limbs. Mark any stiff areas or an entire limb if one is stiff once again making sure to not remove material from the recurves. While braced you can also run the tillering gizmo over the limbs if you want to double check your markings. Using the card scraper take even and counted strokes from the stiff areas. Ensure that both sides of the limb remain even when removing material as to not weaken one side more than the other. Once material has been removed we can unbrace the bow and exercise the limbs against the ground to give the wood a new memory. We can then brace the bow once more before continuing. We repeat this procedure step by step until the limbs are as balanced as can be.
Photos Left: Bracing the bow using my knee Right: Checking the balance of the limbs and marking stiff areas
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High performance Hunting Bow Build: Bracing & Balancing the Limbs
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