So, sitting here again letting my brain out for a walk and wondered: I know to make a string you measure from groove to groove and that is your string length. Is that also the bow length or is bow length from tip to tip?

Yes, it's rudimentary but sometimes the basics are taken for granted that every knows them and they are never discussed.

QuoteI know to make a string you measure from groove to groove and that is your string length.

Lonnie, don't ya think the string would be a tad long?

Quote from: Roy from Pa on January 26, 2019, 05:44:56 PM

QuoteI know to make a string you measure from groove to groove and that is your string length.

Lonnie, don't ya think the string would be a tad long?

How so? Ok, technically yes, but that is where you get your starting point of the string, yes?

I suppose so, then subtract 4 inches for a recurve.

Something like that..

AMO add 3 in. to braced string length. pretty true on longbows. but most times add 4 in. on a curve.

http://www.outlab.it/doc/amostd.pdf

Thank you Bue, that is a good read. However, let me rephrase my original question and omit the string analogy.


If I have a bow that is 62" tip to tip, but 60" groove to groove, is that a 60" or 62" bow?

I have never heard anybody measure from tip to tip, but from notch to notch.

I get my bow length by measuring along the back of the bow groove to groove.
String length will be 3" shorter than bow length.

Only exception is bows with forward handle. Instead of following the back to measure, I will go thru center of riser. But still, bow length is 3" longer than string length.

I f it's from groove to groove call it nock to nock (NTN) if from tip to tip call it TTT.  TTT doesn't matter much within reason (knowing that you are inclined to do some unreasonable things)

NTN makes more sense to me, because of the difference in tip lengths...

I have always done 3" less for longbows and 4" less for recurves NTN measuring from the back.  Never failed me yet.  I normally allow some room for twisting so I make the string 1/4" or so longer.  And then I pre-stretch the string.

I think most advertised Bows are measured from tip to tip, OAL. I think that was your question?

Quote from: lignaphile on January 26, 2019, 10:15:30 PM
I think most advertised Bows are measured from tip to tip, OAL. I think that was your question?

It was. Sometimes I need to learn to make shorter questions. Thanks.

Quote from: lignaphile on January 26, 2019, 10:15:30 PM
I think most advertised Bows are measured from tip to tip, OAL. I think that was your question?

My PSE longbow is marked 68" NTN. 

On second though, I think I'm wrong about OAL. Glad I got the question right   

TTT or NTN -- its doesn't matter as long as you specify for those who are worried about such minutae...

NTN is the true pulling length of a bow dont matter if its 80" long TTT  if the bow is 70" NTN that is the working portion of the bow.  All that matters in our world. 

IMO...  There are two measurements...  Nock to Nock when unstrung and String Length...   Screw all the AMO ...  That stuff just confuses people and there could be a miscommunication or a mistake made when ordering a string... 

  I been writing the string length on my bows...  End of story...  If someone wants to order a new string for their bow, all they have to do is read the length off their bow...  Just makes sense...  The length of the string is the length of your bow (NTN) when being used...  If someone is curious and wants to know the length of their bow when unstrung they can measure it them self...

Quote from: Shredd on January 27, 2019, 12:58:08 PM
IMO... 

  .  The length of the string is the length of your bow (NTN) when being used... 
I agree Shredd about writing the string length on the bow cause we sometimes lose or gain an inch when filing the grooves. But if my longbow has a 55 in. string on it its a 58 in. bow unstrung and thats how they are measured AMO or not.in my mind.