i'm almost finished with my first selfbow, wondering what the correct brace height should be? The bow is an osage 72'' 55@31 I have it at about 6'' right now. thanks

Not a pro but I was always told 7.5 or if you make a thumbs up sign with your hand and then put the base of your hand on the bow your thumb will be the proper height.  Again not a pro, just what someone else told me.  Hope this helps

6 should be fine. If its not slapping your wrist then keep it as low as possible. Lower brace height equals better performance.

Put it where it shoots best and quietest..... just like any bow.

On selfbows I keep it around 6 inches, or maybe just a tad higher. I would start around 6 1/4 and shoot it. Also give the string a chance to stretch in, about 30 shots should do it. Then lower it by a couple counter clockwise twists of the string and shoot it again. Keep doing that and listen to the bow, it will get smoother and quieter as it get's to the brace height it likes.

My latest osage 72" selfbow shoots good at a brace of 7 1/4"

I basically start at fletch clearing distance and increase as needed. Usually the bh (from string to BACK of bow) is around 7 -7 1/4. This may help you tine your bow. Jawge

thanks guys, helps a lot

Traditional and what I use is called a Fistmile which is an old carpentry measure like a cubit. A cubit would be from the elbow to the extended fingers and a fistmile is thumbs up sign. Outside of hand on the grip, string height at the tip of the thumb. So it varies a little with each person but it works for me.

I use my fistmele(6" to 6 1/2") to set the brace height on all my selfbows them fine tune that for good fletching clearance and arrow flight.

i just use the old "thumbs-up" method

clearing the fletchings is the main thing.  I think the general rule is "lower brace height=higher cast" because more kinetic energy is imparted to the bow when drawn, than if it is drawn a shorter distance (due to a higher brace height).