I'd guess that typically it's with a hook 1/8" wide. Do you think it makes a significant difference? I believe the main reason for weighing bows is mostly to determine the starting point for the proper arrow spine. - John

 

The draw weight remains the same no matter how wide or narrow the contact point of the scale is. It's a function of the bow's design and structure, not the scale.
However the archer's perception of the weight and his comfort with it will vary depending on how that weight will be distributed across the drawing hand. Concentrating all the draw weight on one finger as with a thumb ring draw will probably be less comfortable than drawing the same bow with a 3-finger draw (unless of course the bow is ultra-short, creating finger pinch--a different issue). I'd speculate that split 3-finger would give a slightly wider contact area than 3-under, but probably not enough to really notice.

 

The draw weight remains the same no matter how wide or narrow the contact point of the scale is. It's a function of the bow's design and structure, not the scale.
QUOTE]

If you had a 3" wide contact area on the string compared to an 1/8" and drew both to 28" would you force the limbs to bend more with the wider contact area?

 

Stag, good question, I'm not sure and I don't have my marked tiller board to check any more. However my gut feeling is that it'd change the string angle (finger pinch) but not the actual draw weight of the bow/limbs---but thats a guess. I think that the string angle can vary to some extent without effecting the weight--maybe:sbrug:

 

If you had a 3" wide contact area on the string compared to an 1/8" and drew both to 28" would you force the limbs to bend more with the wider contact area?

I would be willing to bet most of us have more variation (difference) from one draw to the next, or over the course of a dozen shots, than you would find if you measured this very precisely.

Dave

 

I'm thinking out loud here and don't have an answer.

If you took a 3" board or some stiff object and used that instead of a 1/8" hook, you reading would be different, if ever so slightly. You will have less string from the contact point to the bow tip. About 1 1/2".

Ok, that's me thinking and I don't have a clue as to if it's correct or not.

I will say that I don't and I don't know anybody that has a finger draw like a board. When I get to full draw, most of the work is done by my index finger, with the pointer and ring getting less bite. I would say that's because of the string angle from my index finger to the bow tip.

There's a famous picture of Fred Bear at full draw. His ring finger is not making as deep a contact with the string as the others. If you find that picture, you'll see what I mean.

 

string pressure can and will vary from finger to finger at full draw for most archers, that just the nature of our hand structure and condition at work. heavier draw weight bows will cause greater difference.
However I do not believe that it will affect the draw weight of a given bow. those limbs will bend the same amount at a given draw length storing the same amount of energy. no matter what the string angle is.

 

the difference works out to a little over 1/2 a pound.