You make such valuable and fantastic positive content, Mr. Thanks so much from a guy who doesn't even shoot traditional but who dreams of following your bow making tips one day. Love from the great white north (seriously, it's May 9th and we are still waking up to thick blankets of snow, just ridiculous!).
Try this, take your finger tip to finger tip measurement, divide it by 2.5, this should be very close if not the perfect draw length. At least it works well for everyone that I've checked. Example: 70" finger tip to finger tip. 70÷2.5= 28" draw length
Another accurate method I came up with and use when I'm by myself (no camera or arrow required): Tie about a 3-foot length of string to the bowstring at the nock point. Stick a piece of tape on the side of the riser and over the string, in the area where the arrow would normally be. The reference EDGE of the tape should be at the place to which you want to measure the draw length. Pull the excess slack out of the string by sliding the string through the tape. Draw the bow to your normal anchor point. The string will slide through the tape but will still be loosely stuck to the tape. Let down, then pull the tape off the bow WITH THE STRING STILL STUCK TO THE TAPE. Measure the string length to the reference edge of the tape -- that's the draw length.
Next time I make a bow I'll keep that formula in mind, less guesswork lol I measured my draw length by "drawing" the end of a tape measure back like an arrow (hooked part simulating the string), and hanging the measure over my bow thumb, using wherever it hung on my thumb as the measurement, in my case, 32 inches. May not be too accurate but I think I got close at least.
I gave up. I've been wanting to build a bow for ages. Just came back from the hardware store with a draw knife, a scraper, sandpaper, 2 rasps, nails and a 4x4 for a tillering stick and - no other wood was available, but It's just to get the hang of it anyways - two boards of spruce. I'll start tomorrow once daylight hits. You pushed me over the edge, man, thank you!
Nevermind, I started today, shaped the first limb to layout, had to stop for today, though. Doing it on my third-story-apartment floor with the board clamped to my bed, leaning on the wall as I draw and that's a little loud on the neighbours for night time. Turns out drawing with the knife is harder than expected.
Another great video with good info. (I hadn't had to think about this in so long, I forgot how) BTW, you have a great demeanor for teaching and your positivity is infectious.
It most definitely is. I started watching his videos out of boredom, and after the first one I was so jazzed and amped up from the energy he emits that I LOOK for them now.
Hi Kramer, pardon my confusion please. I clicked the link and the registration page asked me which session I was planning on participating in. I am curious as to what sessions you are referring to? Is this a sort of "Shibboleth / Sibboleth" test? EDIT - In any event, I chose session one.
The best way to measure your draw length is to hold the tape measure end on your hand like gripping a bow then pull back. Your max draw is determined by drawing to your right shoulder. Your "draw length" isnt determined by hitting your cheek. In target style maybe but historically MANY peoples drew their bows way back. Much more beneficial for the arrow seeings how the longer draw puts more stability and momentum in the arrow. Unless of course you only have a longbow but even back then archers were praised for drawing past the ear.
Tape a magic marker to the end of your riser, so the marker’s tip just rests on the arrow on the shelf. Draw back, and then measure the line on the arrow.
You are a great guy and make very good videos. But that is not the definition of draw length. At full draw, it is the distance from the nock to the deepest part of the grip plus 1 3/4". This is the definition established by archery manufacturers. However, everything else you said was correct.
I am glad I found your site. New subscriber. Content is great. I am 62 yrs old live in mountains of NC and gun hunted all my life. I want to learn to shoot traditional long bows for fun and hunting. Is there a start up package you recommend. Bow, arrows, quiver, finger tabs. I realize I have a lot to learn including tuning arrows, but I have to start somewhere. Also I appreciate your passion it’s contagious. David
Just a heads up about the "good enough" method. I have a very big "wingspan" and the first method yielded results that would not have been good enough for a first bow, by far. I meassure 28.5" draw lenght with that method, and at my club my draw lenght was meassured to 32.5 :) I think it is because I have broad shoulders and the first method does not only not account for that, the angles will actually make for a shorter meassure the wider your shoulders are.
Could you simply hold a string in your left hand (like a riser) and draw it back with your other hand to your anchor point? Would that not give you a pretty close measurement>?
When Calculating the bow length: What is the "handle section"? Where does that begin and end? Is that the full length of the riser or just the part you grip? Fore example: on my Samick Sage the grip part is ~4.5". The riser, measured end to end is way more than 8" (like 19.25"). Great video, just looking for this one clarification.
Check out the TIDEWE right hand 45 lb recurve I got for $99 . This thing is amazing what's my only second bow my first was a PSE promax 54, 20 lb but I was just starting out
@Kramer Ammons 😂 No one else will say it but you about wiped out at the first of the video! I’m glad you didn’t! Thanks for leaving that part in there! God Bless You and Yours Brother!
When you measure draw length, can you also measure the length of your arrows after they are cut down to size? That is after the guys at the Archery shop have already measured your draw length and I forgot what it was.
Question: if someone is looking to pick up archery what would be the ideal draw weight to start of with. I’m new to this and have no what I’m doing lol
Hey what's up man I've been asking self bows since I was a kid with pine bows a d a boot lace. I got back into it and I've been watching your videos and I'm subscribed to your channel and love your tips and every video. I wanna make a hunting bow to use this year how thick should I make my laminates before planing them so I have about a 55 pound bow?
Hey Kramer, just wondering, could you please make a tutorial for a takedown bow? I always wanted one, but every material I tried using broke after a few shots. You're probably the best bowyer on RUclips, so, if someone can do one, it's probably you! Thank you!!
Have you ever made a compound bow? I think it'd be really interesting to make a fully wooden compound. As in the limbs, handle, cams, everything but the string by hand out of wood.
what is the bow length recommendation based on? I shoot a Turkish sipahi bow and it is 48" which is actually pretty long for the style. They tend to only have a max draw of 28" but that would be a recommended length of 64" by your calculation. Is it about string angle and avoiding stacking? If that is the case the shape of the bow and materials used massively affect how that occurs. It seems like this equation only really works for very typical modern western longbows.
Hi Kramer thank you for sharing your skills with us your faithful followers. You have inspired me at the age of 74 to have a go. I have a question for you. Nearly 40 years ago we in the UK suffered Dutch elm disease which wiped out most of our elms. Now living in North Devon with the prevailing wind coming from the west l guess the beetle took longer to reach us. I have found a couple of elms recently which are dead and extremely hard my question is do you think a limb would make a bow. If you have the time an answer would be much appreciated. Cheers Graham
It would be really cool if I could have a bow I really wanted one for my birthday but there to expensive I try making them but wood is to hard to find in my situation
@Kramer Ammons Hey just a quick question to see if you think this would be accurate for draw Center of chest to knuckle of index finger on the hand that holds the bow
If I get a reply then I will subscribe.. and yeah probably tell everyone I know about this person making bows on RUclips Honestly I've watched a few others (boring) but I like your energy.. My bow making method is a strange one so I want to kinda update it and go with a new style Haven't made a bow in years cause I'm tired of playing with fire .. that's why your channel caught my attention
My draw length is 23 inches and I have a recurve bow 30lb @28 inches .. i guess I made a big mistake 🤣any suggestions for a good bow for my draw length ?
Hi kramer i have a question . I am a little person . I rencently got a long bow that i got from my uncle that passed away . On the it has the numbers 54#@28” 60 “ what does this mean. My draw length i measured came out to 50cm which is 19,46 inches .
how exactly do you figure out handle size for a bow? im assuming i wouldnt use as big of a handle as you since i would be using a smaller bow. from the formulas online i have found my draw length to be either 24" or 25"
Great Video! Does the bow length formula change if your bow non working tips? Like recurves or levers, for example I'm making a mollegabet bow with 10in static tips does that change the math?
Awesome deff missed the last bow giveaway/auction thing you did. But I just got a notification today and the video came out 5 days ago. Hope I didn’t miss out
I have unusually long arms. By the "wingspan/2.5" and stick methods I have a 31" draw length. Measuring the best I can from back of bow to comfortable anchor point I measure 32"-33". The larger of these with the calculation for a longbow per your guides makes for a rather long 74" bow. At the lowest I'm still looking at a 70" bow. Should I aim for making a 70" bow and be very careful with my tillering and perhaps add an additional fiberglass or rawhide back layer to handle the potentially longer draw? Other suggestions? Looking forward to getting one made. I've already picked out the string type I want from your site.
What is the tool where he starts to scrape wood with the two handles from the belly of the bow? I don’t know what it is called and I’m trying to buy one. If anyone could help
So I have a 62 inch takedown bow called the wolverine which I've really really enjoyed shooting it's a 50 pound pull so I been shooting it without pulling it to my face to aim and I been doing well at 20 yards but I can seem to distance myself farther and I been watching your videos and I realize how your supposed to actually shoot it so that you can aim instead of instinct shooting my question is I been using 31 inch and pulling them back all the way in my old form but with the way I'm trying now with pulling the string to my face my draw is now only 27 can I still use my 31 inch arrows or is that gonna effect my accuracy somehow I kinda hope not I bought like 200 dollars of arrows on Amazon and there almost here
Hi I’ve watched some of your videos and really appreciate you sharing information. I was wondering what you think about the way Lars Anderson shoots. I don’t know if it has a name but he puts the arrows on the opposite side. I’m guessing you know about him. Just wondering your thoughts and if it’s an option to actually buy a bow anywhere capable of that. I don’t know what the archery community thinks about it but i would appreciate your thoughts.
Hey guys, I started building my first selfbow but one thing I am struggling with is to get straight sides... I can feel with my finger that it's "wavy", doesn't matter how much i sand it down I keep getting those waves on the sides of the limbs you can hardly see it but it's there :( any suggestions how to prevent this?
Dear Kramer, I'm really enjoy watching your Videos, even if my last bow-shooting is like 30someting years ago. But I really play with the thought of either building my own (first) bow on my own, or buying it. In either way, your videos are enlighing and now I want to say a big THANK YOU for that! I embrace your positive way; every time I see a video from you, my mood bightens up so much! Best regards from Germany, Sascha
That’s great that you want a 68” bow for you but what if I want to make a bow to use in a tree stand, a bow that long will be difficult to use in that setting. So now you need to make a shorter bow that can handle your draw length, so I personally wouldn’t use that calculation you just mentioned about double your draw length + riser length Just a thought
![ROSÉ(로제) - APT. (Band VER.) (With. 이영지) [더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우] | KBS 241129 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IW8qaemx74g/mqdefault.jpg)
I got into archery 3 years ago and i've learned more from this guy in the last 6 months than the last 3 years. Keep it up
Thank you again for sharing your lifetime of knowledge. God bless you and your business
You should do another challenge where you make a bows from random stuff from like broom handles. I really liked it.
You make such valuable and fantastic positive content, Mr. Thanks so much from a guy who doesn't even shoot traditional but who dreams of following your bow making tips one day. Love from the great white north (seriously, it's May 9th and we are still waking up to thick blankets of snow, just ridiculous!).
Try this, take your finger tip to finger tip measurement, divide it by 2.5, this should be very close if not the perfect draw length. At least it works well for everyone that I've checked.
Example: 70" finger tip to finger tip.
70÷2.5= 28" draw length
Another accurate method I came up with and use when I'm by myself (no camera or arrow required):
Tie about a 3-foot length of string to the bowstring at the nock point. Stick a piece of tape on the side of the riser and over the string, in the area where the arrow would normally be. The reference EDGE of the tape should be at the place to which you want to measure the draw length. Pull the excess slack out of the string by sliding the string through the tape.
Draw the bow to your normal anchor point. The string will slide through the tape but will still be loosely stuck to the tape. Let down, then pull the tape off the bow WITH THE STRING STILL STUCK TO THE TAPE. Measure the string length to the reference edge of the tape -- that's the draw length.
Wanted to get in to bow making but thought I couldn’t until I watched this guy!! Keep the faith and producing these superb videos mate. Take care!!
NATURE GIRL hi nature girl. I’m from England,,
NATURE GIRL take care!! 👍
Next time I make a bow I'll keep that formula in mind, less guesswork lol I measured my draw length by "drawing" the end of a tape measure back like an arrow (hooked part simulating the string), and hanging the measure over my bow thumb, using wherever it hung on my thumb as the measurement, in my case, 32 inches. May not be too accurate but I think I got close at least.
Sounds good to me
You answered a question that I have had for many years. Thank you very much. You keep teaching and I will keep learning. 👍
Thanks for the info, knowledge, and entertainment.
So, to help you out, it is pronounced: Kai (Ky - hard K and y like in “my”) - No (just like saying “no”) - Kai (Ky). Hope this helps.
Great video! It gave me a better understanding on what getting my first bow. Thank you!
I gave up. I've been wanting to build a bow for ages. Just came back from the hardware store with a draw knife, a scraper, sandpaper, 2 rasps, nails and a 4x4 for a tillering stick and - no other wood was available, but It's just to get the hang of it anyways - two boards of spruce. I'll start tomorrow once daylight hits. You pushed me over the edge, man, thank you!
Nevermind, I started today, shaped the first limb to layout, had to stop for today, though. Doing it on my third-story-apartment floor with the board clamped to my bed, leaning on the wall as I draw and that's a little loud on the neighbours for night time. Turns out drawing with the knife is harder than expected.
This guy is on his way.Love his videos.
Another great video with good info. (I hadn't had to think about this in so long, I forgot how)
BTW, you have a great demeanor for teaching and your positivity is infectious.
It most definitely is. I started watching his videos out of boredom, and after the first one I was so jazzed and amped up from the energy he emits that I LOOK for them now.
Hi Kramer, pardon my confusion please. I clicked the link and the registration page asked me which session I was planning on participating in. I am curious as to what sessions you are referring to? Is this a sort of "Shibboleth / Sibboleth" test? EDIT - In any event, I chose session one.
was also curious
same here
Same
I just picked one. I never win things anyway so I didn't worry much
Same here 😂🤙🏼
The best way to measure your draw length is to hold the tape measure end on your hand like gripping a bow then pull back. Your max draw is determined by drawing to your right shoulder. Your "draw length" isnt determined by hitting your cheek. In target style maybe but historically MANY peoples drew their bows way back. Much more beneficial for the arrow seeings how the longer draw puts more stability and momentum in the arrow. Unless of course you only have a longbow but even back then archers were praised for drawing past the ear.
Tape a magic marker to the end of your riser, so the marker’s tip just rests on the arrow on the shelf. Draw back, and then measure the line on the arrow.
You are a great guy and make very good videos. But that is not the definition of draw length. At full draw, it is the distance from the nock to the deepest part of the grip plus 1 3/4". This is the definition established by archery manufacturers. However, everything else you said was correct.
Agree
I am glad I found your site. New subscriber. Content is great. I am 62 yrs old live in mountains of NC and gun hunted all my life. I want to learn to shoot traditional long bows for fun and hunting. Is there a start up package you recommend. Bow, arrows, quiver, finger tabs. I realize I have a lot to learn including tuning arrows, but I have to start somewhere. Also I appreciate your passion it’s contagious.
David
Just a heads up about the "good enough" method. I have a very big "wingspan" and the first method yielded results that would not have been good enough for a first bow, by far. I meassure 28.5" draw lenght with that method, and at my club my draw lenght was meassured to 32.5 :) I think it is because I have broad shoulders and the first method does not only not account for that, the angles will actually make for a shorter meassure the wider your shoulders are.
Thaaanks very nice to have this kind of tip with never really doing this stuff
Never have seen the second method before. Great info.
Could you simply hold a string in your left hand (like a riser) and draw it back with your other hand to your anchor point? Would that not give you a pretty close measurement>?
The paper trick is *GENIUS!* Thank youuuu!
I'm new to bows and I'm learning a lot!!! Thanks for the information. 😎😎😎
Very precise. Thank man.
This guy has so much fun!
When Calculating the bow length: What is the "handle section"? Where does that begin and end? Is that the full length of the riser or just the part you grip? Fore example: on my Samick Sage the grip part is ~4.5". The riser, measured end to end is way more than 8" (like 19.25"). Great video, just looking for this one clarification.
Check out the TIDEWE right hand 45 lb recurve I got for $99 . This thing is amazing what's my only second bow my first was a PSE promax 54, 20 lb but I was just starting out
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
@Kramer Ammons
😂 No one else will say it but you about wiped out at the first of the video! I’m glad you didn’t! Thanks for leaving that part in there! God Bless You and Yours Brother!
Bro u the man I'm trying to find how many pounds draw a bow I'm working on
I shoot behind my Wife's back...🤣 Uh oh, here she comes....😟
.😂🤣
Wouldn’t there be different bow lengths depending on recurve vs long bow? Or no ?
I had to put my playback speed on .75 of normal to compensate for the 6 cups of coffee you apparently drank. Enjoyed video.
When you measure draw length, can you also measure the length of your arrows after they are cut down to size? That is after the guys at the Archery shop have already measured your draw length and I forgot what it was.
I have never heard about Any of these but glad i have now
what about making a PVC bow? will it bow? lol also, any tips for nonconventional bow string materials?
Hey Kramer! I’m looking at getting my first bow, how do I work out the best starting poundage?
Question: if someone is looking to pick up archery what would be the ideal draw weight to start of with. I’m new to this and have no what I’m doing lol
Draw length is from the inside of the bow, not the outside surely so the paper trick won't be right?
Hey what's up man I've been asking self bows since I was a kid with pine bows a d a boot lace. I got back into it and I've been watching your videos and I'm subscribed to your channel and love your tips and every video. I wanna make a hunting bow to use this year how thick should I make my laminates before planing them so I have about a 55 pound bow?
Thank you 🙏
Hey Kramer, just wondering, could you please make a tutorial for a takedown bow? I always wanted one, but every material I tried using broke after a few shots. You're probably the best bowyer on RUclips, so, if someone can do one, it's probably you! Thank you!!
Have you ever made a compound bow? I think it'd be really interesting to make a fully wooden compound. As in the limbs, handle, cams, everything but the string by hand out of wood.
what is the bow length recommendation based on? I shoot a Turkish sipahi bow and it is 48" which is actually pretty long for the style. They tend to only have a max draw of 28" but that would be a recommended length of 64" by your calculation. Is it about string angle and avoiding stacking? If that is the case the shape of the bow and materials used massively affect how that occurs. It seems like this equation only really works for very typical modern western longbows.
Great video, awesome information
Hi Kramer thank you for sharing your skills with us your faithful followers. You have inspired me at the age of 74 to have a go. I have a question for you. Nearly 40 years ago we in the UK suffered Dutch elm disease which wiped out most of our elms. Now living in North Devon with the prevailing wind coming from the west l guess the beetle took longer to reach us. I have found a couple of elms recently which are dead and extremely hard my question is do you think a limb would make a bow. If you have the time an answer would be much appreciated. Cheers Graham
It would be really cool if I could have a bow I really wanted one for my birthday but there to expensive I try making them but wood is to hard to find in my situation
Can you make a bow just from backing, a ton of glue, and sawdust?
Great, quick vid.
@Kramer Ammons
Hey just a quick question to see if you think this would be accurate for draw
Center of chest to knuckle of index finger on the hand that holds the bow
If I get a reply then I will subscribe.. and yeah probably tell everyone I know about this person making bows on RUclips
Honestly I've watched a few others (boring) but I like your energy..
My bow making method is a strange one so I want to kinda update it and go with a new style
Haven't made a bow in years cause I'm tired of playing with fire .. that's why your channel caught my attention
My draw length is 23 inches and I have a recurve bow 30lb @28 inches .. i guess I made a big mistake 🤣any suggestions for a good bow for my draw length ?
Wow, that was super helpful, thank you.
Hey I'm wondering what kind of string do you use to make the string for the Bow
For the first method, should my shoulder blades be protracted, neutral, or retracted? It makes a big difference for me.
Just try: KY-NAU-KY... KY-NAU-KY... KY-NAU-KY... KY-NAU-KY... KY-NAU-KY... KY-NAU-KY... got it? It's easy... All you need is LOVE!
Hi kramer i have a question . I am a little person . I rencently got a long bow that i got from my uncle that passed away . On the it has the numbers 54#@28” 60 “ what does this mean. My draw length i measured came out to 50cm which is 19,46 inches .
Bow length- Draw length x2 plus 14-16”.
how exactly do you figure out handle size for a bow? im assuming i wouldnt use as big of a handle as you since i would be using a smaller bow. from the formulas online i have found my draw length to be either 24" or 25"
Great Video! Does the bow length formula change if your bow non working tips? Like recurves or levers, for example I'm making a mollegabet bow with 10in static tips does that change the math?
Awesome deff missed the last bow giveaway/auction thing you did. But I just got a notification today and the video came out 5 days ago. Hope I didn’t miss out
I have unusually long arms. By the "wingspan/2.5" and stick methods I have a 31" draw length. Measuring the best I can from back of bow to comfortable anchor point I measure 32"-33". The larger of these with the calculation for a longbow per your guides makes for a rather long 74" bow. At the lowest I'm still looking at a 70" bow. Should I aim for making a 70" bow and be very careful with my tillering and perhaps add an additional fiberglass or rawhide back layer to handle the potentially longer draw? Other suggestions?
Looking forward to getting one made. I've already picked out the string type I want from your site.
I’m 5’7 and I measured a 25.5 does that sound right?
Thanks
Love your videos
Good timing for me
As always great info.👍🏻👍🏻.
Nice vid! Good info 😎
What is the tool where he starts to scrape wood with the two handles from the belly of the bow? I don’t know what it is called and I’m trying to buy one. If anyone could help
It sounds like you're after a drawknife.
Bro please do please try pvc bow
How do you measure your draw length if you never owed a bow?
You should do a takedown bow
mantap.. terima kasih
So I have a 62 inch takedown bow called the wolverine which I've really really enjoyed shooting it's a 50 pound pull so I been shooting it without pulling it to my face to aim and I been doing well at 20 yards but I can seem to distance myself farther and I been watching your videos and I realize how your supposed to actually shoot it so that you can aim instead of instinct shooting my question is I been using 31 inch and pulling them back all the way in my old form but with the way I'm trying now with pulling the string to my face my draw is now only 27 can I still use my 31 inch arrows or is that gonna effect my accuracy somehow I kinda hope not I bought like 200 dollars of arrows on Amazon and there almost here
Hi I’ve watched some of your videos and really appreciate you sharing information. I was wondering what you think about the way Lars Anderson shoots. I don’t know if it has a name but he puts the arrows on the opposite side. I’m guessing you know about him. Just wondering your thoughts and if it’s an option to actually buy a bow anywhere capable of that. I don’t know what the archery community thinks about it but i would appreciate your thoughts.
Kramer, are you still selling kits to build a bow?
Thanks man! Great info and great trick shots!
Love you're videos!
Hey guys,
I started building my first selfbow but one thing I am struggling with is to get straight sides... I can feel with my finger that it's "wavy", doesn't matter how much i sand it down I keep getting those waves on the sides of the limbs you can hardly see it but it's there :(
any suggestions how to prevent this?
Very helpful videos. Love the content
I was making your poplar fiberglass drywall tape bow and broke it because I was bending it the wrong way. It was my first bow.
Really good video man
Make on out of a tree branch or a table leg
Goodstuff
Great video tutorial
Learning so much 👍
Great work man!
#desiinthewilderness
What is your reach ?
Music a bit high. Good vid though
Love You mate, keep it up.
My compound bow has been in storage under tention, would it be okay to bring it back out and start using it again as it is?
Enjojoyed your video. Keep up the good work little brother. Your brother in Christ
Man your shop is messy did you clean? 😉
I love the yumi
Dear Kramer,
I'm really enjoy watching your Videos, even if my last bow-shooting is like 30someting years ago.
But I really play with the thought of either building my own (first) bow on my own, or buying it. In either way, your videos are enlighing and now I want to say a big THANK YOU for that! I embrace your positive way; every time I see a video from you, my mood bightens up so much!
Best regards from Germany,
Sascha
Pretty good but should have left off the incredibly annoying music(noise) in background(really foreground).
I shoot behind my back too😂👏
Take 46.. clap. Oooh.. I hit it.. save..
That’s great that you want a 68” bow for you but what if I want to make a bow to use in a tree stand, a bow that long will be difficult to use in that setting. So now you need to make a shorter bow that can handle your draw length, so I personally wouldn’t use that calculation you just mentioned about double your draw length + riser length
Just a thought