What do you think is the biggest cause for hand shock on a self bow. Thank You

By no means am I an expert, but I would think excessive material on the limb tips would add significant hand shock.

Poor tillering,limbs that are too heavy, too much bending in the handle, limbs not drawing and returning in sync...come to mind. Jawge

Thanks for the answers . A buddy of mine made me a beautiful self bow,but the couple of times that I shot it the hand shot was terrible. I've since had rotator cuff surgery ,so it will be a couple of months before I can shoot it again,but as I sat here looking at it ,I was trying to figure out how to make it a more mannered bow

Tip weight tip weight tip weight.
Also lots of reflex will make for more hand shock.

Sometimes if the shock it because of limbs out of sync, shooting 3 under instead of split, or vice versa will make a big difference.

Pictures of the last 6" with a pencil next to it,
width and thickness

Post a pic of the bow showing the tips(side and back)and back profile.

I've done a bit of experimenting and whilst tip weight can exacerbate handshock I don't think it's the main reason. For me it's limb timing and or the limbs not bending correctly in relation to the bows front view.

Yep, limb timing relative to the archer's holds is the root of the problem, then the other things mentioned magnify it.

Can not seem to get pics to post,could I email them to one of you guys to post?

http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz346/1Longbow/Arrows/Franchi/Self%20bow/DSCN0092.jpg

Here are the pictures of the bow in question. Thanks for your help

I only see one picture, the one with the pencil beside the limb tip.

Click on the arrow to the right,for more pics

QuoteOriginally posted by LittleBen:
Tip weight tip weight tip weight.
Also lots of reflex will make for more hand shock.

Sometimes if the shock it because of limbs out of sync, shooting 3 under instead of split, or vice versa will make a big difference.

x2 on tip weight

Sorry ben I don't agree on the reflex
If the tip mass is low. mine don't have hand shock

A couple comments:

The antler overlays are too chunky.  There is extra mass because the corners are left on the back.  I prefer a much less abrupt corner for a few reasons.  First, it looks more refined.  Second, it removes unnecessary mass.  Third, it is much less likely to be damaged.

That said, I would not suspect those small tips to be the source of excessive hand shock.  I find that well tillered and tuned bows are the key.  Good form plays a part too.

If you are used to shooting a modern recurve that is tuned well, you may find that this style bow will have more hand shock.  It can be managed but I have never been able to get a self bow to feel as dead in the hand as an equal weight modern recurve.

 

Also could try a heavier arrow.

Poor limb timing too much mass in tips too little limb preload some of the HH ones well---------

Several of the comments made here are right on the money. Too much mass on the tips and remember any wood not needed for the performance of the bow must be removed. Mass slows down the bow, and too much mass on the tips will result in hand shock.

Agreed but a bit isn't a problem the main reason for handshock is the limbs not hitting home together after the release.
You actually have to add quite a bit of weight tot he tips before it becomes noticeable from a shock point of view. Try getting some small fishing weights and add them incrementally with test shooting in between. The speed of your arrow goes down straight away BUT handshock doesn't appear until the amount of weight gets silly.