Brace Height - What is it? Archery FAQ

Brace Height: What is it, how to handle, misconceptions and more
This video is more for beginners, but there might be some tips for seasoned archers too :)
Thank you all for watching
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Armin Hirmer
@ Hames Sensi
148A Vjal Kottoner
Fgura FGR1385
Malta

[@tejapribac]

When I bought my first bow, I was the only one with a traditional bow in my Archery Club, so nobody showed me anything regarding the bow and I somehow concluded that my bow is not "complicated enough" to measure things etc. When I finally got a chance to try shooting 3D with archers from another Club it happened that my bow destringed in the middle of a shot. I was shocked, but happy that I had people around who showed me what to do :)

[@adtymryd6295]

Wait, isn't the brace height checker thingy you are using is backwards? I mean the silver part is supposed to hook at the string, or the one you have there has scales/numbers pointing both ways? Anyway, thanks for the insights you gave! 👍

[@ArminHirmer]

Does not matter

[@jacquesmaloubier6655]

Very good video. I have been trying to figure out archery for a few years now, and I never saw a better explanation of brace height. I think you should really write books on archery, from basic to advanced. I would be your 1st customer.

[@jeremiedumontgrant3648]

So I understand that your Brace Height and your nock to nuck put together give you your F value, a value you mention in every review. How important is your F value and what is the ideal F value? thanks, Nice vidéo really well explaine!

[@kaikart123]

F value is draw length divided by nock to nock distance. From what I understand that it is the value of ratio that the arrow will receive as kinetic energy to your drawing force. So if a bow has 0.6 F value, if you draw the string to 30" and you exert 40 joules of energy, the arrow will receive 24 joules. From there you can calculate roughly the maximum FPS of your arrow if you know the arrow weight, in this case probably 140 fps with 400 grains arrow. You can calculate the energy you have to exert to the draw length by converting the draw to feet and multiply it by the draw weight of the bow, from there you can convert it to joules and then multiply by the F value of the bow and voila, you get the maximum kinetic energy the arrow will receive.

[@jeremiedumontgrant3648]

​@@kaikart123 Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for thanks!

[@jassonkhoo1223]

I swear he's pulling stuff out of his pocket everytime, that's cool tho

[@2DGraphicDesign]

I use a Bear Paw, Twin Hero (33lb at my draw) & I asked the provider at purchase what the correct brace height is and was told 7&1/2in. Yes, it is loud, really loud. He! He! I have diligently kept the brace height at the recommended Seven & a half. I have found your lesson from 16:05 to 18:16 to be very interesting. Tomorrow the aforementioned bow & I will be having a wee chat & adjustment of brace height. Thank you, Armin. & to whomever it concerns, I do recognize that this video was uploaded over a year ago & I did, indeed, I still commented.

[@2DGraphicDesign]

I had a re-look at this vid when I caught a glimpse of the thumbnail.

[@pherbert1]

Good video, thanks! Love Malta cant wait to return someday.

[@ryandavis4689]

Thanks for the insight, I had no idea the true importance of brace height and it seemed complicated, you really simplified it and I now know what I'm doing a heck of a lot more than before, I can't wait to learn more from your other videos and thanks for making them.

[@NicholasANappiNick]

Armin ,are you using pounds and inches for KZbin or is a universal way to measure bows?

[@popaabert]

I have been to many sites about brace settings . You are exact and to the point. I now understand Brace settings thanks to you. I am sure I have much more to learn. Thank you , Charlie

[@tortueagile]

I wonder what the brace height is supposed to be on an Alibow Kheshig....

[@ArminHirmer]

7-7.5 you need to find the sweet spot :)

[@tortueagile]

@@ArminHirmer realized that mine was at 6.5 inches... Twisted a little the string and now I'm 7.1 and it's already way better. Thanks for your help.

[@JorgeSantos-nl8he]

I think you heard my thoughts!! I left a comment in one of your videos regarding string lenght,asking you to clarify some of this topics you just talked about on this video! So,thank you very much for another great masterclass!👍💪🧐

[@clear_image_photos5477]

If could recommend a turkish bow, 45-50 pound draw, primary purpose for hunting is there anything specific you would choose? Im wanting to move away from my bulky mongolian bow

[@ArminHirmer]

high # I would go with Grozer

[@gizmonomono]

Useful stuff. I love that your are covering the basics. Always good to go back to them. Thumbs up as always 😁

[@marvinhirschfield9999]

I now understand brace height.

[@0835SEBO]

What length of string does the Snake need for the 8 inch brace height? The serving on the stock string came undone after 600 arrows and when I replaced the string with a 60 AMO recurve string the brace height is now 10.

[@ArminHirmer]

usually you should get a 60" recurve string, which is 56-57 inches long

[@ateam5982]

Thanks for all the information in your videos. I feel like I’m getting a head start while still waiting for my first bow to be delivered.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Guten Tag from Australia. Merry Christmas.

[@Killianwsh]

Armin, Thank you for taking the time to make, share, and teach! I was aware of the term "Brace height" , but didn't know how it was measured or all the details you covered in this video. Very informative. May I ask, how can I determine the brace height of a bow that I do not know the maker of? if there some rule of thumb calculation I can use given the bows measurements & poundage? I have picked up several bows over the years from friends , gifts, etc. and have always just shot them when I felt like it with what ever string seemed to fit the best that I had. It has always seemed to work well for me as I've gotten used to just instinctive shooting that way, but now with the lock down, my 3 nephews are getting a little stir crazy and are wanting me to show them how to shoot. lol Needless to say it's tricky to teach my "seat of my pants" method so I'm trying to fill in the gaps of knowledge so I don't give them to many bad habits. :)

[@ArminHirmer]

Hi. It depends really o the bow. Modern recurve bows have mostly 7,5 to 8", long bows less. So called horse bows, depends on the design, mostly around 6.5 to 7

[@incorporeal3793]

Use Armin's numbers as a guide and then adjust it until it sounds the quietest within those parameters. And the string on modern recurves are normally 4 inches shorter than the bow length measured from nock to nock.

[@Killianwsh]

Ah I see! Thanks for the really quick reply! I've got several recurves fiberglass and laminate and as well as a couple with removable limbs and a couple long bows, so that info will really help me out thanks. :) I don't have an Asian or Turkish style yet so I've been watching a bunch of your past reviews to get a better idea about them. Oh! one other question if I might ask. I haven't finished looking through your videos, but so far I have not seen any about arrows and or arrow making. Have you made any videos about arrows and or arrow making or know of any videos you could recommend? especially interested in more traditional/ period materials and techniques. Thanks for your help and advise. :)

[@videonetwork5755]

Mbah Wi mudun kopit ilang

[@gud2go50]

I got a lot out of this video. Thank you.

[@Countryboy071]

Great information, thank you

[@music10293]

You mentioned flagella dei. Do you know how they do with what's happening in the world right now? My new bow broke just before the pandemic and they were supposed to send me a new one, but no answers from them.

[@ArminHirmer]

I guess all is a bit messed up right now. I am sure they will get back to you

[@rowdywallbanger4080]

We just bought a new bow from Flagella Dei, they communicated really well via email and the bow arrived here in the UK within 5 days! I was amazed by their excellent service. This was about 2 weeks ago.

[@MrCGangsta]

omg a german using imperial .....

[@bestrong1240]

great information.thanks

[@TheRedEyeChannel]

"I have a stronger bow" @ 5:30 Doesn't the bow get weaker because you're now functionally making the string stop shorter and not have as long of a powerstroke?

[@ArminHirmer]

exactly, but I heard this too often - so I clarified it :)

[@adriaanvandenberg5013]

Too low braceheight, Slap! Too high braceheight makes a slow arrow. You're the second person to tell me that you shouldn't overtwist horsebows because of torque. Glad I wasn't wrong. Just make little adjustments

[@kaikart123]

lower your brace height as much as possible and use arm guard for min-maxing power, lmao

[@OdieHungary]

I have a question to you Armin! 8,6" Brace Height on the Turkish bow is good or too much? Thanks for answer!

[@ArminHirmer]

seems a bit high

[@LIGHTNINLIPSKI1]

Hello Armin, I recently acquired a Kassai Bear bow in 40lb. Do you know what the correct braceheight should be?

[@ArminHirmer]

I guess 7-8 inches

[@thelifeandtimesofjames4273]

Best explanation I have ever seen. Cheers

[@msrvfx]

The bow square clips are designed to clip on to the strings for proper accurate measurement.

[@ianbruce6515]

That is mostly for measuring the nock point. For brace height you can use it like a ruler--or use a ruler.

[@Saddamo]

What about horse bows, where to messaure brace heigth from different handles? and you stated earlier never to twist horsebow strings!

[@ArminHirmer]

as said a few twists are okay with reflex bows. imo the race height should be measured from the point where the root of your palm has contact to the bow

[@Saddamo]

@@ArminHirmer Thank you, you do such good work brother, i've recommended your channel to all my archer friends and they love u :D

[@andersjonsson7218]

Hi, I'm still learning I just ordered my first bow from Falco :) I like that you explain the different parts of archery, down to the smallest detail Thanks Armin

[@spawnlordgaming7826]

Thank you for really explaining this in such detail. New subscribers 😊

[@azurehs1175]

Learned so much from your channel! Just bought a snake because i saw your vid about beginner bows. Watching more of your vids!

[@adamparsons1725]

GREAT tip, about the string stretching! A YEAR LATE..in my case, lol Dang it, Armin! Luckily my Local Sporting Goods bow guy, KNEW IMMEDIATELY what was causing my frustrations. I came from "Compound Archery's" World, but with The Simon's Bow Factory "Raptor" I purchased...I was pretty much shooting different every single day(on target, seemed slower, Dang wrist slap, where did that come from...OUCH WTF). Bow guy: Well? Has your Brace height changed? ME: I have no IDEA? Bow guy: Never had a Recurve? Compound Dweeb? ME: Well yeah! He Fiddles with the string a bit...no more wrist slap...did need to relearn my earlier "target picture" though. 🤣 What did I know about "String Twist", I was a compound guy, right? Then he hits me with this..."If you change Strings on your compound, and get similar peculiarities...the "shooting/STRINGY Part" can happen with those uns as well" Who'd a thunk it?

[@johnrichard6639]

A very good video, so many don't know or understand. Very well explained & demonstrated. You have demonstrated a very important part of tuning your bow and reduces noise, your bow is letting you know it's a lot happier!

[@bobjackson3307]

hahaha, I was thinking more brace height was going to speed it up hahaha! wow! what a diff. on the speed around 10 to 15 slower Super video because I do not want to hurt My next bow build by doing this. I think I also had my Brace height a bit to far out from handle. That may have been another reason my bow developed a crack near the handle. Thanks for the Lesson Armin. Be well all, Bob Jackson Papillion Nebraska Bow KILLER UUPS!

[@rickydlayaute5387]

Another great video Meister Armin , thank's a lot 🙏😊🙏 Conclusion: " Let's twist again...and the string is ok ..let's twist again 🎼🎸🎷....." Whap doo whappp!!! Richard Lionheart 👍😎🏹🇫🇷

[@Dusty357]

A have learned so much from watching your videos, a only started shooting febuary this year a bought a second hand green kat clubmaster 1970’s era does anyone no how a can find the brace height please , thanks for all your hard work teaching us all 😉🇬🇧

[@tragedy866]

Really helpful tips in my archery journey! Thank you

[@junglejim7664]

Armin, very informative video. I have been shooting all different types of bows for years and I learned something. Subscription earned. Thanks.

[@DrPeterMarsh]

Another helpful vid! THANK YOU for all the knowledges

[@miguelveratraditionalarche9374]

Hi! Mr. Armin Great topic. In the case of Zhe Bie I contact AF friends and they told me the correct brace height and the difference is great. More silence and shoots nice. Thanks for another Great video. 👊😀Enjoy your day.🙏

[@matthias7522]

Hi. Could you tell me the recommended brace height for the Zhe Bie? Thank you!

[@miguelveratraditionalarche9374]

@@matthias7522 Is 6.1 to 6.4 inches But I use 6.2 and shoots great

[@matthias7522]

@@miguelveratraditionalarche9374 Thank you!

[@miguelveratraditionalarche9374]

@@matthias7522 pleasure! Thanks for asking!👊😀

[@steveg8322]

Did you do a review of the Japanese bow?THAT I would love to see!Appreciate all the videos you're sending our way,btw,thanks!

[@ArminHirmer]

of course I did :)

[@ArminHirmer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2m3ioGdeb6fqpI

[@janvissersportmassageprakt8303]

Thank you for explaining of the brace high practioning lesson !!

[@edkovac8978]

Many thanks Armin. Nicely wrapped up.

[@davida1679]

Excellent description thank you!

[@JorgeSantos-nl8he]

Is the draw weight,at the same draw lenght,changes as we change the dl because the limbs don't bent the same??

[@merin1666]

Great video brother...I hope you g uys are safe and well.

[@Homeyomey]

💪 🔨

[@patmcdowell6430]

thanks for your video have been making pvc bows how does one determine brace height this bow seems to shoot well at 6"

[@elakawczynski1750]

could you please do a video about the Hungarian Bow?

[@ArminHirmer]

which Hungarian bow?

[@acsimark]

@@ArminHirmer the bows we found in graves I think :) We sadly hit the dead end of bow technology before it could really kick christian asses :) They managed to bring Vajk to the throne and crush the Hungarian spirit. Our bows were stuck with long horns and short limbs, as technology was on its basics before 1100 years, turks made it further. But Mr. Kassai makes horse bows with high string height to promote his technic, pointing out that his technic limits the bow and the user as well.

[@gilanbarona9814]

I once overdid the brace height of a recurve. It twisted the limbs and flipped the string right around. Careful not to overdo.

[@markgibbens437]

Very well explained it answered a few questions I didn't know I had.

[@fastfreddy19641]

Thank you. I am watching these videos while I wait for my first bow to arrive, can't wait. 👍

[@ArminHirmer]

which one?

[@fastfreddy19641]

@@ArminHirmer it's a D and Q recurve bow. Made in China. Going to be here late this month.

[@robsarchery9679]

nice,I measure the brace height of the bow when it is new.I go by that and hope it is right.

[@blairhayden8955]

Very informative. Thank you sir.

[@davidsalman8362]

The Amazing Sensei Armin, Good evening Master Archer!

[@kidskids007]

Nice vidio master archer👍👍

[@lebondave4377]

Really useful, thank you Armin! :)

[@mickusable]

Thanks for another informative video Armin 👍

[@rodolfosjeronimo9274]

Very didactic explanation. Put a knot in the both ends of the string to shortening can cause any problems on a modern longbow hybrid/takedown/recurve or bows with siyahs?

[@ArminHirmer]

I would say no problem up to maybe 35# the string can handle that. Higher # I would not make a know :) thanks for watching

[@owensanchez5508]

Awesome video, thank you!

[@h0tkoko]

Hi Mr. @Armin, if the bowyer them self do not know what is the recommended brace height, what can I do to get a good brace height?

[@ArminHirmer]

try

[@user-dt1uq7rh2b]

Thank you Armin, you really are a great teacher!

[@kaikart123]

This is the reason why modern crossbow has more power than medieval crossbow. The current most powerful crossbow has 480 fps with 370 grains bolt and the draw weight is 180 lbs which means it could produce 257 joules. Medieval crossbow with 1000 lbs draw weight with 1481 grains bolt and 157 fps could produce only 110 joules. The most noticable difference is the draw length. So the more draw length and less brace height a bow has, the more efficient it is and could produce faster arrows.

[@flightlancaster6102]

Very helpful. Thank you for posting.

[@ArminHirmer]

Thank you for watching

[@gegaoli]

Helpful lesson. Thank you!

[@TAnGerine101100]

so well presented! Danke vielmals!

[@Sk0lzky]

"You can harm the bow" or your arm, often times the wrist slap is caused not by wrong form but simply because of too low brace height!

[@ArminHirmer]

And English longbows have the tendency of low brace heights

[@Sk0lzky]

@@ArminHirmer that I learned from your video, I thought it was only a thing of Joe Geller's 200pounders before! But in my experience this problem mostly occurs when people change the string for the first time on modern recurves and either buy too long dacron strings or don't twist them at all

[@williammcmanus2841]

Do you know the proper brace height of the l2 tatar from grozer?

[@ArminHirmer]

nope - but I wish I would own one :)

[@comrademcsalty7676]

8" for the "base" bow and 7 1/4" for biocomposite on his website. So for the L2 probably 8 or 7 1/2".

[@incorporeal3793]

Didn't know a twisted string on an Asiatic recurve could result in breaking a bow. Just thought the strands were loose down to it being the correct length to start with.

[@jake4194]

What are you talking about? Twisting a string is expected

[@incorporeal3793]

@@jake4194 yes, but I believe Armin said that on some Asiatic bows depending on the siyah shape and the bow stability that over twisting could put enough torque on a tip to twist it and let the string slip off.