A deflexed bow is going to be harder to torque. No doubt about it.

A high brace height merely shortens the power stroke, giving the arrow less time on the string, thereby allowing the archer less time to effect the arrows flight.


If you dont have a reflex and deflex bow to try the above mentioned test on. Take a paper clip and bend it into a "V".

Pretend that the smallest part of the V is the grip. With the v facing away from you wiggle it back and forth to an extent. Where is the furthest range of movement?
The largest range of motion is at the ends. Now imagine that your bows limbs were connected to those ends. You can see the range decreases the closer you get to the "handle". Therefore, any applied torque will have a greater effect if the handle is placed "behind" the limbs. This effect amplifies as you place the handle further and further behind the limbs pivot points.


It wont work with the paper clip but use your imagination for the following. Turn the paper clip around so that the V is facing you. If there was a string attached to that it would cause the drawn "bow" to look like this; <>

Think about how difficult it would be to torque either part of the <> shape independently. They almost have to move with each other. One end correcting the other, keeping them in a straight line.

I dont know if thats the best way to explain it over a computer, but it makes sense if you know what Im getting at.

Brace height has little to do with ability to torque, infact I believe it has nothing to do with it. But thats not to say that brace height isnt important too. It is..it allows the user less time to effect the arrow at time of "explosion". That makes a larger brace height bow more "forgiving" than a low brace height bow.

But I think its effects are less than that which a deflexed riser provides. I bet if you made a deflexed riser bow, with a low brace height of 7", you would have a bow that is more forgiving than a bow with a reflexed riser and a brace height of 9".

Anyone see what Im saying?

All that being said, the shooter of the bow has to decide how much "forgivness" he/she needs. I find that I can shoot a bow with a 7-1/2" brace height and a slight reflex (1") just as well as a bow with more forgiving specs.

I also have to agree on the fact that too many bows are made with too much reflex and too low of brace heights. This is an emphasis on speed. Low brace is easier to obtain with a reflexed bow, giving the archer a longer powerstroke.

Seems silly though....Where do you draw the line of speed and forgiveness?

I know where I draw my line....but its up to the other archers to figure out what they want or need more of....SPEED or FORGIVENESS!

With the current bow trends, its pretty obvious that most want speed.

Have a good one---Matt