Recurve shapes for wood laminate crossbow prods

I would like to start a discussion about recurve shapes. I am thinking of trying a short style laminate prod, less than 12". I think a lot about prod shape and over the last year or so I have arrived at a really smooth curve which is basically like a sine wave. It seems to put the work of the limb into the ideal area just behind the bow fades after the riser while sharing just a bit of work out to the limb tips. What I am wondering though is, for a shorter prod would it be better for higher poundage bows to have less recurve? Intuitively it would seem like just a small amount of recurve at the bow tips would be sufficient.

I would love to hear thoughts on this subject. I have heard that crossbows benefit less from recurve than longer bows but this has not been my experience. My 16" prods draw smoother and shoot faster than their straight counterparts of the same dimensions. I think this is due to the extra hidden bow length. For example" the 16" recurve is actually an 18" prod with bends compressing the total nock to nock dimension. So drawing 6 or 7 inches isn't as critical as drawing a straight 16" to the same length. There's simply less material to do the work. Although the pre stressing places more load on some spots of the bow it draws more smoothly with less stacking.

Has anyone here experimented wth short heavily recurved bows in wood/fiberglass? If so what were your results and findings?

Another benifit of working recurves is that as the limb gets straighter (when drawn back) it is also gets longer and adds leverage which translates into smoothness.

Would also be interested if anyone builds laminated prods as I don't think Elk Ridge Archery is making them anymore.



Todd

I would love to get into that biz Todd but I am sure small batches of prods with my current shop setup would be too pricey. I noticed that they stopped making them.

Out of curiosity, what did you pay for your elkridge prod if you don't mind my asking.

I have two . I paid 130.00 + 12.00 for shipping each. The one has since delaminated during aheat wave we had awhile back. They both were 150+ pounders. Would like to replace with something 175 ~200 pounds. Might have to give it a go myself.

Todd

I hope you do. If you need some assistance please let me know. I have a split limb bow that is 175# and is solid Osage backed with hickory, bamboo and fiberglass and shoots incredibly fast. If only I could build a permanent roller nut for it. I would love to do a trade, prod for roller nut if you would be interested.

What kind of roller nut are you looking for? What size and material? Don't know if I can help but maybe someone else will see this and be able to help.

Todd

Here's a couple drawings and shots of a broken wood/steel version. I would like it made of steel.
http://db.tt/pp4EgOjZ


Now...back to recurve shapes.