Hello All,

Re: the McPherson/Pearson models. I do indeed mean raw arrow speed, especially models w/ the RF (now the Whisper) Cam. That may or may not be a negative to some folks, especially when one considers how smoothly and easily they draw or how quiet they are. It was not a “jab” at them, merely an observation.

Frank brings up some great points, and all correct if we look at them in a cut and dried mechanical fashion. However I do wish to comment on one item that probably needs to be seen in a different light (and not because I’m trying to be a Bowtech fanatic, this is in regards to the way our muscles work)

Re: The statement about pulling more weight over a shorter period of time vs. a lighter weight over a longer period of time

We must remember in the “real world” how our bodies, and momentum works. The hardest part about getting a weight of any sort moving is the initial thrust required to get it into motion. Once the weight is moving it is much easier to direct or have it continue said movement through momentum.

E.G. Moving a heavy piece of furniture over a rug by “swinging it back and forth”: the initial push is what is difficult about moving it. Once it starts to move, it’s relatively easy to get it to the next place we have to set it down (though often this action requires many starts and stops).

Same with pulling an item like a big bag of sand along the ground: the initial pull is the difficult part, but once it’s moving, it’s fairly easy to move it for a ways till we need to stop, and start the process over again due to fatigue in the muscles.

In the case of the bow that peaks quicker and peaks longer but is lighter in draw weight, the advantage is clear compared to the bow that requires an initial harder “push” due to an increase in overall peak weight. Since the draw weight has been reduced on the first bow, the initial pull (which is the hardest part of the draw w/ the human physique and the way our muscles work) is easier, and the longer peak is fairly inconsequential AS LONG AS the archer has a correct draw length for his physical makeup.

Of course there is an opposite "resistance" in that the bowstring wishes to return to brace compared to a bag of sand, however the principals are similar.

And there you have the “HuntingBBS Human Physiology/Momentum Lesson” for the day

JeffB


Edited by - JeffB on 01/29/2002 13:30:15