Excalibur's Brace-Height

TheAznValedictorian · Post by **TheAznValedictorian** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:49 pm

Most of the historical crossbows that I have seen have short brace-heights. However, I have only seen non-recurve metal crossbows and wooden-self crossbows.

I tried to confirm that the recurve shape crossbows have short brace-heights by looking at the Excalibur crossbows on Youtube. Surprisingly, all of the Excalibur crossbows that I have seen appeared have large heights (5 in?).

Why is this so? Is it because the recurve shape necessitates the use of long brace-heights? Or can it be that you can set the brace-height at whatever levels you want; that the videos that I have seen just include the type of people that are comfortable in this level?

ComfyBear · Post by **ComfyBear** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 6:01 pm

Actually, an Excalibur's recommended brace height is between 1" to 1 1/2", when measured from where the riser meets the mainframe.

Since you're stating that an Excalibur has a 5" brace height, I am assuming that you're measuring the brace height of an Excalibur from where the limbs attach to the riser. At 5" brace height I would say that compared to a Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve, which has a recommended brace height of 7"- 7 3/4" measured from the back of the riser, the Excalibur's 5" brace height is rather short.

TheAznValedictorian · Post by **TheAznValedictorian** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:07 pm

ComfyBear wrote:Actually, an Excalibur's recommended brace height is between 1" to 1 1/2", when measured from where the riser meets the mainframe.

Since you're stating that an Excalibur has a 5" brace height, I am assuming that you're measuring the brace height of an Excalibur from where the limbs attach to the riser. At 5" brace height I would say that compared to a Bear Kodiak Magnum recurve, which has a recommended brace height of 7"- 7 3/4" measured from the back of the riser, the Excalibur's 5" brace height is rather short.

Just to make sure that we are talking about the same type of brace height - I am sure that there is no more than one definition - you are talking about this one, right?
When you said that the brace-height is between 1" to 1 1/2", you meant this type of brac-height, correct?

Also, I have one more question. Do you know the "length of bow limb to brace height" Ratio? The Ratio would apply to any type of recurve crossbow (wooden, composite, metal, etc)

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 1:42 pm

Your drawing shows bheight, but it's not what we deal w/ here w/ Excals. All of the newer models from quite a few years back have two faint lines scribed on top of the rail about 1.5" [not measured] from end of rail. These are your min/max factory advised marks.

New strings can sit higher than the 'high' [closest to trigger] mark and be ok while they stretch in.

You won't want to let your string get below the low mark due to the fact it will slap the riser and trash your serving.

Once you get or handle an Excal, it will get crystal clear. Hope this helps.

Boo · Post by **Boo** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 2:03 pm

For most of the usage of a crossbow historically they were not as articulate as they are to day. As such they got the most range and power for the heavy projectiles by using the lowest braceheight. Raising the brace height of a recurve is the time tested way of finding the "sweet spot". The problem with measuring the brace height the tradition way is that there is no grip or riser to measure from. The gap between the riser and the rail is logical place to relate to when stating brace height.

TheAznValedictorian · Post by **TheAznValedictorian** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:32 am

* I feel like I should ask this in a more historical forum, but I'll give this a try.*

Okay, let me just make sure about something.

It's just that I have only seen historical self wooden and metal crossbow.
But the recurve (wooden, composite, metal) crossbow would also have between 3.25 to 4 inches brace-height, correct? By brace-height, I meant it in the traditional sense.

thank you

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:59 am

TheAznValedictorian wrote:* I feel like I should ask this in a more historical forum, but I'll give this a try.*

Okay, let me just make sure about something.

It's just that I have only seen historical self wooden and metal crossbow.
But the recurve (wooden, composite, metal) crossbow would also have between 3.25 to 4 inches brace-height, correct? By brace-height, I meant it in the traditional sense.

thank you

Sorry, I can't help ya, but know who can. there's a guy named David, makes really nice medevial xbows and has a regular xbow business called Wyvern Creations. You might try goggle on that and am sure he can tell you what you are after.

I suspect our Excals have similar bheights in the conventional sense, but we are just concerned w/ the "go/no go" lines scribed on rail. No need to get into it any deeper for hunting/target purposes, but can see if a guy wanted to build one or something how it might matter to him.

For one Excal owner to discuss bheight w/ another, it's common practice to talk distance from end of rail to the string at rest rather than "I'm shooting 4.5" bheight". Hope this helps!

saxman · Post by **saxman** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:54 pm

Become an Excalibur owner and all your questions will answer themselves.