I strung up a new to me, older Sierra X 18 Shakespeare bow and the fistmele came out to 9 1/2". I have never seen that much. Is it too much? My bow didn't have a string when Igot it. It is rated 52" amo and 45 lbs. I bought a 14 strand string rated for a 52" amo bow. I measuredthe stringat 48", which should be right by everything I know about it (I've shot recurve for over 20 years). The bow seems to be around the 45 lb. mark when drawn. What do ya'll think?

Have owned and shot alot of shakespeare bows. Have loved each and everyone, they were made for the company by Ernie Root. Also had his own archery company back in the sixties. The recurves was designed to shoot a high fistmele, 9 to 9.5". So don't fret, your sting is correct, and all is well.