Selfbow Handle Dimensions

There are several different ways to lay out a flatbow handle. The following dimensions are what works for me.

• Handle length: 4.5" inches.
• Handle thickness is 1".
  
• Handle depth: roughed out to 1.5" deep and then rounded from there. The finished depth winds up being less than 1.5".
• The length from the handle to the widest point is 1.5". This measurement seems to vary. Some books list 2", and older books list 3-4". The longer you make this measurement, the less working limb you'll have. It seems in my experience that 1.5 to 2" is perfect.

The fadeouts are very ends of the bow handle where the handle "fades out" into the limbs. This is the critical merging point of handle and working limb. You'll notice that the fadeouts extend PAST the widest point of the limb by 1/2 an inch, as indicated by the blue line. It's VERY important that your handle Fadeouts extend PAST the widest point of the limb. If you your Fadeouts stop short of the widest point, then your bow limb will suffer excessive stress at that point, and bows have broken because of this. You can vary your measurements to your hearts desire, but make absolutely sure that your Fadeouts extends past the widest point of your limb.

(click on picture for larger image)