66" reflex-deflex hybrid longbow

[Trux Turning]

Wow! Who needs glass when you can make them like that!

[LittleBen]

Hey thanks again for all the kind words!!

Ken, you know I can't help but share all the info. Most of my bows use .006 total taper. .002 per lam. You'll find the thicknesses posted above.

It's probably better to go down to .005 or .004 if you go much wider than 1.5". All my bows are also somewhere between pyramidal shape and full width out to about 2/3 of the limb.

[monterey]

Ben, that is plumb beautiful!  Did you chrono it?

when you select the backing wood, is grain orientation as critical as with a self or board bow?  

Just got to get into these tri lams!

[LESKEN2011]

Thanks, Ben. That is kinda what I thought I would try. Yours sure turned out well...again.  

[LittleBen]

Mike, I haven't crono'd it, but just guessing from the point on distance I'd guess 160ish FPS w 500gr at 25" draw which is about 55lbs, and I'd venture to guess over 180 at a 29-30" draw with 500gr. I would tend to expect the same ~170FPS at 10gpp and 28-29" that I was getting with the others. Not record breaking but more than sufficient.

Regarding the backing grain. I believe the requirements for grain are the same whether it's a board or a multiple lam bow like this. Actually multi laminate bows or even backed bows might benefit more than a board from better grain since the belly can be made of very very strong wood. Whereas marginal hickory backing might still be capable of crushing a hickory belly, marginal hickory will fail before it crushes an ipe belly. So I'd say to get the most out of it( to push the limit of the belly wood) you probably need really good grain backing. FWIW I don't think this design is pushing the limits at this weight and draw with a full 1.4-1.5" width.

So long story short, I try to use really straight clean hickory, preferable rift sawn, but I've used 1/4 and flat sawn also. Don't know if it matters.  Since I've been using hickory core too I select the better lams for the back and the lesser for the core.  That way I can be picky and not waste much.

[Zradix]

Been gone a few days...come back and see this!

Pretty lines. Looks great at brace. Looks great at draw.

Beautiful choice in woods and style for the I-beam and overlays.

Well done Ben!

[eman614]

very nice!

[Overspined]

Boy is that a great looking bow.

[4runr]

As usual, I'm a bit behind the 8-ball.

That is one fine piece of craftsmanship!!

[Buemaker]

Very nice, I had not seen it either.  

[mwosborn]

Very nice - looks like you have a nice recipe there!

[Wolftrail]

Great looking bow.  Nice group to..  

[chackworth3]

Very nice Ben!

[canopyboy]

I'm gonna miss having Ben down here in VA and shooting his new bows.

[macbow]

That is a beauty Ben.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Missed it to. Very nice Benny! The wood combo is a real eye catcher.

[ianpc]

That's one sharp looking bow right there

[BowWright]

That bow is something. Great job!

[JJB]

Amazing looking bow and looks like a shooter too!
-Jay