Bamboo bows
Hi all
I want to make a few super-easy-to-make bamboo self bows. Basically by getting a bamboo log, splitting it, shaving down the inside skin, heating / steaming it into a horsebowy shape, and tillering it by removing bits of the belly (the inside skin). I'm going to try make a few lightweight (30 lb or less at 30 inches) bows like this. I might add wooden/bone siyahs and string bridges too. If I'm feel like adding to one of the bow's I might add horn to the belly too.
They're not going to be of amazing quality but they are going to be cheap pieces of equipment that I can make quickly and easily and that I can lend to a few people here I know who want to have a go at thumb ring shooting and horseback archery. They will have a bendy kasan.
I know bamboo can bend quite a bit. But what would you say is the minimum length for the bow (along the curve) to achieve a draw length of 30 - 32 inches?
Thanks
I want to make a few super-easy-to-make bamboo self bows. Basically by getting a bamboo log, splitting it, shaving down the inside skin, heating / steaming it into a horsebowy shape, and tillering it by removing bits of the belly (the inside skin). I'm going to try make a few lightweight (30 lb or less at 30 inches) bows like this. I might add wooden/bone siyahs and string bridges too. If I'm feel like adding to one of the bow's I might add horn to the belly too.
They're not going to be of amazing quality but they are going to be cheap pieces of equipment that I can make quickly and easily and that I can lend to a few people here I know who want to have a go at thumb ring shooting and horseback archery. They will have a bendy kasan.
I know bamboo can bend quite a bit. But what would you say is the minimum length for the bow (along the curve) to achieve a draw length of 30 - 32 inches?
Thanks
You might want to check out this older discussion by bhenders on his "Asian Bamboo Bow with Siyahs".
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1018
His cores were 4 ft long and 3/16" thick and I'd guess the siyahs add at least a foot to the LOA.
If you want lighter weight and shorter I'll bet you could go with a single bamboo limb, 3 ft long, with siyahs, that would draw 30" for something around #30 draw. I'm thinking those "bamboo planks" which are used to decorate Tiki Bars about 1/4" thick, 1.5" wide, and 3-4 ft long I'm going to order one and see what I can do, myself.
Here's another all-bamboo bow discussion. This one turned out in the draw weight you're looking at and 48" overall.
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1009
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1018
His cores were 4 ft long and 3/16" thick and I'd guess the siyahs add at least a foot to the LOA.
If you want lighter weight and shorter I'll bet you could go with a single bamboo limb, 3 ft long, with siyahs, that would draw 30" for something around #30 draw. I'm thinking those "bamboo planks" which are used to decorate Tiki Bars about 1/4" thick, 1.5" wide, and 3-4 ft long I'm going to order one and see what I can do, myself.
Here's another all-bamboo bow discussion. This one turned out in the draw weight you're looking at and 48" overall.
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1009
Ah, thanks for the links KenH
On a similar note, do you know if it's possible to use only a bamboo and horn combination, without sinew or fibreglass?
Thanks
On a similar note, do you know if it's possible to use only a bamboo and horn combination, without sinew or fibreglass?
Thanks
I can't see a reason why you could not laminate thin horn (or bamboo reversed to be inside glued to inside; or any other wood) to the belly of a bamboo slat bow to give it greater draw power without sinew or fiberglass.
If the bow is already finished and at first draw is determined too weak, you could start by lashing proposed belly strips in place at say 5-10cm intervals before gluing, to see how they will affect the draw weight.
Here's another lightweight bamboo bow. The slightly recurved tips are horn.
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1274
If the bow is already finished and at first draw is determined too weak, you could start by lashing proposed belly strips in place at say 5-10cm intervals before gluing, to see how they will affect the draw weight.
Here's another lightweight bamboo bow. The slightly recurved tips are horn.
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1274
Ah thanks! That bow looks pretty interesting and relatively simple to construct too.
The design I had in mind was a narrower version of the Khotan bow, using similar dimensions in length (but finding bamboo wide enough is tricky!) but drawing to 32 inches, and a few design changes (slightly working tips, less handle reflex). I think bamboo can be bendy enough for that ...?
The design I had in mind was a narrower version of the Khotan bow, using similar dimensions in length (but finding bamboo wide enough is tricky!) but drawing to 32 inches, and a few design changes (slightly working tips, less handle reflex). I think bamboo can be bendy enough for that ...?