My arms are growin'!

[Holmes]

When I picked up my first bow in mid-January, a couple of experienced friends helped me measure my draw length. We used the back-of-the-shelf to the throat-of-the-nock method.

After a dozen or so measurements were taken, the average was determined to be 29.75". Thus, I've been using uncut 1916 Jazz arrows, 30-3/8" BOP.

A few days ago, I was working with my group of juvenile delinquents and we were taking form photos using a digital camera.

I just finished reviewing the images for tonight's session with the curtain climbers and noticed that the three shots of myself at full draw showed my arrows quite clearly with the back of the point right even with the back of the shelf. I was very pleased with the consistency and then realised this represents an increase of 5/8" in my draw length. This was real world stuff as we were not just drawing for the camera but drawing and shooting the bag.

Obviously, my 50 year old arms are not growing so I assume this is a result of better back muscle integration within my form, eh?

I am most delighted with the knowledge that I've drawn my bow correctly on at least three occasions!

Best regards,

-Holmes

[Viper]

Holmes -

Yup, that's what supposed to happen!

Viper out.

[Desert Archer]

Holmes,

Welcome to the world of the "long sleved" or "vertically enhanced". We really don't like the term knuckle-dragger as it tends to be used by short little people who are jealous (LOL).

As you get more into this stuff you will learn that you're longer draw gives you a better "power stroke" which means more performance from the pounds you are pulling. O.L.Adcock, maker of the famous A.C.S longbows, says that for each inch over 28" you draw you get about 4% more performance, and conversely for each inch under the standard 28" you loose about 4%.

Let's say you are holding 40 pounds at your 30.39" draw. You are getting the performance of an archer who draws 28" shooting about a 44# bow. This results from that power stroke I mentioned, which simply means your bow string pushes (or continues to accelerate) the arrow longer than someone with a shorter draw. Ain't it cool!

Dave

[Holmes]

Very cool, indeed!

Actually, I do have a bit of a knuckle-draggin' appearance. I was assembled on a Friday, late in the day. I ended up with the torso of a six footer but was inadvertantly fitted with the arms and legs of a 6'-4"er. The result.... a 6'-2" skinny version of Clyde, the orang-utan :eek:

-Holmes

[Desert Archer]

...was inadvertantly fitted with the arms and legs of a 6'-4"er.

Son, let me 'splain about long arms, etc. I am 6'3" and draw an honest 32.5". Before I developed my current form, which is more relaxed and comfortable, I use to stretch to be sure my back muscles were really working. I had a draw of almost 34" (from 33.25" to 33.75" - the inconsistancy was ruining my shooting). Great performance but buying arrows was a pain in the (explative deleated).

At 30.39" you're just a healthy fellow with a good draw length (LOL). Ain't no monkeys here...

Dave

[James Wrenn]

Another knuckle dragger! ;) My arms are growing too.I am thinking about cutting my arrows 28" long instead of 27 1/2.Do you think I can still find arrows ok? :lol:
(yeah I got draw envy) ;)