Barebow Archery Weights 101 | Starting Points, Adjustments and Options

Many people are shooting barebow archery for the first time and are wondering about weights on their barebow. I've been asked where to start and what to look for when setting up a barebow for the first time. I cover all your barebow archery weight options and how to make sure you are on the right track.
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[@kedmark]

Wonderful thank you for producing and posting

[@kenshaughnessy1371]

I was just about to check if you had a barebow weight video, awesome timing!

[@bengteriksson8000]

Great work Jake!

[@forbear]

Another use for the yost weight offset (from a college barebow team coach): The offset allows you to attach a weight in the bottom bushing on riser that either has protruding center tiller bolts (some Spigarelli and others), or if the archer is shooting the bow with the bolts out far enough to interfere with a classic center mounted weight in the bottom bushing. We have done this and you can flip it big side straight up for clearance and it does not come loose. (Or at least hasn't for us yet)

[@michaelmacdonald5792]

Thanks Jake....excellent content as usual

[@izwanmohd]

new studio looking nice congrats!

[@yodhanhunter]

This is what I needed. Just ordered some weights.

[@richardpotting1606]

Jake, thank you for a bunch of great info. I have a little different way of controlling the movement after the shot. I use a wrist strap. The attachment for it is between the bow and the upper weight. I use a strap that is braided to match the color of my bow. It goes up over my wrist, and when properly adjusted it holds the bow steady all the way through the shot. Very little to no movement forward or backward. I figured that a platform that does not move imparts fewer variables to the shot. Also you can add or remove weights as needed and with a little tweaking the bow stays right where you want it at all times.

[@randallkadish5663]

Great explanation.

[@themindsojourner]

Sounds much better now. Kudos.

[@AilesNoires]

I actually found Thunderstruck Archery when I was searching for weights on eBay since the Yost weights are out of stock in a lot of places. Funny to see that you have one as well! Mine is the small (16oz).

[@leighcollins3894]

Hi. Wonderful vid. Have you seen the DECUT - RHINO or X-Spot (Depending on what side of the “Pond” you are on). The white system is set inside the riser on the bottom being accessed from the rear.

[@-fazik-3713]

Both thumbs UP!

[@AdalbertoMaggioJunior]

Push archery/Tree rivers has ILF/DAS risers with OEM integrated weights in aluminum, steel and brass.

[@social3ngin33rin]

really awesome area built :) I wish there were more construction videos lol

[@Kantuva]

Having all the arrows there in the background at the intro of the video looks really good Jake! That said, the sound, as you mentioned earlier, it is too "harsh", I wonder if rather than these fancy "sound dampening pads" you could just hang some curtains around the room when you record? Dunno just an idea Anyhow, great vid!

[@InFerrumVeritas]

Gillo has a variety of options (covers, blade, and hammers) as well as new dampening options for the GT risers. Kinetic has clamshell cover options for the Sovren, and Valenz risers. The Vygo comes with side mounted weights. Spigarelli has integrated weights for nearly all of their risers. Many boutique European brands have integrated weights, like Smart Riser, Border, and Stolid Bull. I think you showcased different types of setups well. I strongly feel that other than adding total mass, weight placement should be used to fine tune bow reaction (rotational movement), correct for form issues, or complement form idiosyncrasies. A good example is that the lower the grip you use, the lower you want to place the weight in order to have the pressure point naturally make contact with minimal wrist contortion. I personally recommend that all archers start with the weight as far forward as they can get it while still passing through the ring, then adjust its vertical position on the bow to fine tune the balance. The Gillo Hammers are the best for this, but the Xceed Pro weight is placed in a position that I think a lot of archers will find comfortable (if they can handle adding 40+oz to their bow). Demmer's big drop disk weight is also an interesting solution.

[@alessandrocomaschi8517]

Hello Jake , i advise you look at the Made in Italy riser Smartriser nero … Fantastic! A true work of art 👍

[@cococalm]

Shooting a Spigarelli Club 650 riser with OEM weights bolted into the riser and Uukha VX1000 limbs. Bow is "loud" though. A video on this "loudness" and possible remedies would be awesome.

[@RainbowArcher252]

I know you shoot barebow more these days but is there any chance of you doing a review of the Shrewd RevX stabilisers? Their internal dampening, rigidity and small diameter to help cope with the wind seem to set them apart from other options.

[@jocon6656]

Can recommended the Kinetic Vygo as a budget option with integrated weights. The weights normally connect sideways in the riser but you can also screw one half into the front bushings for a more forward balance.

[@nathanferrey4486]

I started shooting barebow November '21. I bought a vygo kinetic for my first build along with some c3 wnw limbs and a 60x string. In my opinion, the kinetic riser punches above its price. It has integrated weights and alternative options for mass addition. Vygo kinetic is a great beginner/intermediate riser!

[@TheRastaDan]

great video as always, but the most important question is, where do i get those shirt?

[@Rodadebicicleta]

Jake, great video! What brand are does weights?

[@roost4u]

Great video sir. I am still a beginner and wanted to add weight but without knowing how much weight to add I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on different weights to figure it out. I am a fisherman so I just grabbed some of my round lead weights and drilled a hole in the center. Ran a bolt through and wala. Before this video though I didn't know how to determine the correct weight so I'll be tuning with more lead weights until I get it right. I'll probably just stick with the lead since it's cheap. I also plasti dipped it so it would look a little better.

[@juanaq]

i'm also a rookie and living on a budget, so I melted several of my sinkers, almost 500g, and poured them into an empty deodorant can, with a bolt in the center. the aluminum on the bottom of the can gave it an excellent finish, I stripped the paint and polished it, it looks like a factory product. cheapo solutions😆

[@nathanferrey4486]

@@juanaq careful of lead when doing that. But more power to ya! Make the set up yours! I've been considering similar by 3d printing a holder sinkers

[@juanaq]

@@nathanferrey4486 yes, thanks for the recommendation! i did it outdoors in a windy day, no fumes were inhaled😆. i'm one of those silly guys that likes to make their own stuff, as much as i can, and i'm in the process of 3d printing some archery tools: limb tip Line Gauges, a fletcher, etc. living in a poor country very far from lancaster archery helps to encourage creativity ( 🤔maybe some day i'll build my own riser carving it out of an aluminum ingot)

[@weshedges5306]

Thanks Jack… My ability has come to a point that I work more on tuning arrows to bow and recently started working more on the weights on my bow. this video helped a lot on answering some questions and it seems that I am moving in the right direction. I have gone from 16 ounces 20 ounces and noticed a great deal on how much it has studied up my bow. Spot on video thanks. Look forward to the next video your studio looks awesome.

[@davidroygodden]

Jake - thanks for the vidios. Do you recommend the 27 inch riser over the 25 Exceed for barebow??? I have the 25 inch riser and am thinking of getting some extra long limbs. I draw 30 inches. Thanks

[@NathanEsplin]

Thank you for making these incredibly well thought out videos. Speaking of heavy bows, I have seen a lot of your videos, but I have never seen you mention CD Archery bows. Any experience with those?

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

I’ve checked out their riser in person but never shot one. I’d like to give them a try some day.

[@shaffiqsomani8643]

Do you have to make any adjustments and what type of adjustments to the bow after adding the weight?

[@BadOne1992]

Hi all, could you help me and let me know if hand made wieghts ie. bolt and stack of washers are allowed to use in competitions?

[@davidr8309]

I have gotten so used to how loud my outdoor barebow shoots it is strange for me to shoot my (almost silent in Comparison) indoor bow with less draw weight and heavy arrows.

[@mattmaloney5988]

I get an inkling in every video that barebow is quite different to Olympic recurve. Aside from the obvious (precision/sights, stabilizers, clicker) I’d like to know how. Can anyone list the other ways in which these disciplines differ?

[@infinity345]

Hi Jake, I couldn’t find anything about the barebow rules now allowing dampeners between the bow and the weight. I instead found that World Archery had issued a rule clarification that weights must mount directly to the riser “without rods, extensions, angular mounting connections or shock-absorbing devices.” They had the example of the W&W Meta riser which has the Mathews harmonic dampers. They said that riser was legal provided that the weights inside the harmonic dampers were removed.

[@ConstantinChirila]

Here is the USAA rule describing dampeners allowed. 11.4.6.1. Vibration dampeners are permitted. They may be installed in the riser by the manufacturer, or by attaching aftermarket dampeners directly to the riser or to weight(s). Any combination of weight(s) and vibration dampener(s) must pass through a ring with an inside diameter of 12.2 cm (+/- 0.5mm) without having to flex vibration dampeners to fit through the 12.2 cm ring. A riser manufacturers' angled stabilizer insert(s) are allowed, but angular brackets or connectors are not permitted. Weight(s) and dampener(s) may be added below and above the riser’s grip, but must not aid the athlete in aiming or ranging in any way.

[@vaazig]

Thanks

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Thanks for the Super Thanks!

[@vaazig]

@@JakeKaminskiArchery thanks for your content. As a beginner archer it's very, very useful.

[@michaelhenschel4356]

You talk about the "loud/harsh" sound of some barebow setups, which you could (maybe) reduce by adding a damper between weight and riser. In my experience, a barebow is only loud when the bow and arrow isn't tuned well.

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Lots of field archery barebow shooters go with extremely lightweight arrows and "fast" limbs like borders... The combo sounds like a shotgun. Either way the dampeners kill sound as well as vibration, I have no complaints!

[@henrys4838]

Putting aside the dampeners, do weights alone suppress some of the vibration of the bow? Wish you happiness in your new workshop.

[@jcgardner5852]

Weights do affect vibration of bow not so much suppressing it as changing its frequency and timing in shot

[@ronaldenzman8950]

Adjust weights for the Vygo kinetic

[@ronaldenzman8950]

Please help me with the reply

[@Swi55Milk]

Best strength training workout to build up strength for heavier riser weights?

[@Swi55Milk]

First thought would be leaning lateral cable raises but wondering if there is something better.

[@davidhirotsu5696]

Anyone try the Hoyt Formula X / Formula XI OEM weights?

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

They don’t have one to my knowledge for barebow. They have pocket weights maybe but that’s it

[@williambilse]

I can't believe how some people set up their hunting bows with a major rearward balance. I mean if you are going trad and don't want extra crap on your bow, you take it as it is. But with modern ILF equipment, there is no reason to have a bow that falls rearward. Guys use those Tight Spot type quivers that are mounted BEHIND the riser. And then they claim their bow balances BETTER? Maybe left/right, but it takes a ton of front weights to offset a rear mounted quiver.

[@nostalgicshark3]

Do they have Hoyt xakt barebow riser weight system seems like I can only find them for Xceed?

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

They don’t to my knowledge.

[@nostalgicshark3]

@@JakeKaminskiArchery could you recommend me a weight system that would work with Hoyt xakt, iam just getting started about to buy my first bow which is the Hoyt xakt In fact and saw this video makes sense I don’t want my bow coming back and hitting me. That might have turned me off to shooting again so thanks again for your knowledge and time

[@onpoint99]

Any giveaways? 😭😭

[@petrokemikal]

Jake a few tips for you about sound deadening ? I used to build music studios for a living and am a fully qualified sound engineer.. Don't bother buying acoustic panels, its a snake oil game honestly.. If you have bought them, I think you said you did in this video, Just return them and get your money back !! Dampening high end sound is easy, Human speech and controlling echo doesn't need sound panels.. There high frequencies in relative terms of the frequency spectrum so pretty much anything will be able to absorb them because they are such a small wavelength.. You could literally hang curtains or fabric and achieve honestly better sound absorption than foam or acoustic panels, there nothing but lumps of foam, nothing special about them at all... If you want a tasty look that will 100% get the job done, then buy 2 bales of rockwool rw45 insulation.. There rigid wool panels usually used in lofts.. Frame up some 2/4 lumber and sit a sheet of the rockwool into it, then grab a stapler and some bed sheets and just staple them to the front to cover the rockwool, run some strips of bed sheet or something across the back to stop the sheets from falling out.. Hang as many as needed around the studio and you will be pleased with the results.. Low end sound, like bass is the tricky one to deal with, but I gather you wont be pumping out music in there so just those panels alone will make a massive difference.. If you really wanted to be fancy, you could spray paint or do some art on the bed sheets after there on the panels !!

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Now ya tell me!

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

I’ll make a panel for the ceiling or two and see how it goes

[@petrokemikal]

@@JakeKaminskiArchery Lol.. I know, Sorry I didn't pick up on it till you mentioned you bought them.. I assumed you already had them previously..

[@theoneandonlygamer3224]

By any chance do you coatch at all? I've been doing archery for 6 years now, I'm 17 and I only shoot at 18 meters. I want to start shooting at longer distances but don't know where to start. Do you think you can give me some pointers?

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Yes I coach Locally in person and over the internet. Check out my website www.jakekaminski.com for info.

[@theoneandonlygamer3224]

@@JakeKaminskiArchery Hey thanks for the response! I'll definitely check it out. Have a great day!

[@andreask.654]

I suppose it's not the lights that are "pumping", but the auto exposure of your camera? Anyway, glad you are back! 👍😃

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Yeah. I’ll have to switch to a manual based setting here soon once I can play with settings.

[@superzuki8222]

If you are only trying to stop the bow tilting back at the top, couldn’t you just use a wrist strap.

[@malditomigue]

If your bow balance forward how You shoot upnhill slopes? I mean your bow is fighting to make You shoot low/short

[@JakeKaminskiArchery]

Just aim up. Or aim down. No need to overthink it.

[@kickoflegend2196]

First! :-D

[@johnscranton8365]

Try removing the heavy weight on your wife's bow to reduce overall bow weight. Use a wrist tether with a quick disconnect on the lower area of the riser to limit / control rock back. Keep light contact on the back of the riser with the top two fingers of the bow hand to limit / control forward jump at release.