I have heard some saying they have tillered a bow for 3 under, or for split finger. Is there really a difference? does it matter if you shoot 3 under with a bow tillered for split?  I have never made a bow, and don't know much about tiller. I'm just curious how much different is it?

I can't speak for fiberglass bows, but I can tell you how see your question as far as self bows go. Many people make their self bows with either a stiffer or shorter bottom limbs for a Mediteranian release ( one finger on top, two underneath ). Many people also go for a completely even tiller with the same release. I'm in this camp. But if I arrive at the weight I want with one limb just slightly stiffer, I'll go with it and make the stiffer limb the bottom limb if the bow design allows for it.

However, if I shot three fingers under, I would definately try to keep the bottom limb stiffer. Just because that kind of release puts more tension on the bottom than the top. I think it is more critical for this kind of release as opposed to one finger on top and two under. Just my opinion.

Thank y ou for that explanation. It puts a better picture in my mind of how the bow is working.

I shot three-under for about a year using several bows in that time.  The only difference I found is that I had to set my nocking point higher.
John

There are a lot of folks who shoot three under with bows that supposedly haven't been tillered for three under.  They do quite well.

ORION, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING. THIS IS WHY I POSED THE QUESTION. THANK YOU. I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO DO SOME THING THAT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON ME OR THE BOW.

For what it's worth, most modern fiberglass longbows are made with a stiffer bottom to begin with. That is probably why some people don't notice a difference.

I choose an even tiller on my selfbows. But like I said earlier, if one limb comes out slightly stiffer and the design allows for it, I'll make that limb the bottom limb.

QuoteIs there really a difference?

No.

 

Quotedoes it matter if you shoot 3 under with a bow tillered for split?

No.  The nock point will just be a little higher.

Indeed there is not really a difference other than changing the nock point. I shoot 3-under now, but my own experience was, that when shooting split finger the nock was squeezed between the index and middle finger. (target archers have a sort of small rest between index and middle finger avoiding nock squeezing)
When the release was a bit sloppy the nock got a sort of push that influenced the arrow flight.
When shooting 3-under this problem for me was gone.
 :p