The simplest horn-sinew bow: Two questions
The simplest Horn-sinew bow to make: two questions??
1- What is the simplest design for making a horn-bow, that is, which is the easiest to make?
I need one that will take a large thumb draw aperture of 34-35?.
2- I already have the buffalo horn strips, the deer and ox tendon and the sturgeon bladders, the question is what are the different woods I need and above all were do I order them from??
1- What is the simplest design for making a horn-bow, that is, which is the easiest to make?
I need one that will take a large thumb draw aperture of 34-35?.
2- I already have the buffalo horn strips, the deer and ox tendon and the sturgeon bladders, the question is what are the different woods I need and above all were do I order them from??
I would hazard a guess that a magyar type bow would be the simplest, of course you could always make a plains Indian type hornbow lengthened to cope with such a long draw.
Maple or bamboo will be best for your core. You can use kiln dried maple so I guess you could order some? I would definately recommend going and cutting green wood for the core.
Maple or bamboo will be best for your core. You can use kiln dried maple so I guess you could order some? I would definately recommend going and cutting green wood for the core.
Thanks for the advice. That plains Indian "sinew-horn flat bow" might not be very orthodox at all but it could work as an interesting experiment. Has anybody ever tried it?
Can anybody be so kind as give me a reliable address of suppliers specialized in woods for bows, preferably in Europe?
Can anybody be so kind as give me a reliable address of suppliers specialized in woods for bows, preferably in Europe?
:twisted: :twisted: I would say simplest would be to buy center piece of FITA bow, then make new limbs from sinew backed horn stripes. :twisted: :twisted:
This requires some thickness from the stripes, especially in the attachement side, but otherwise should be quite trivial. No need to do any glue-ups, except horn-sinew attachment and no need to do splices or to heat bend anything.
If the horn stripes are no thick enough, then you need add wood between the sinew and horn. This will also lighten the limbs and thus make the bow more efficient.
NOTE: This kind of bow would not be similar to typical asian composite, nor would it be likely faster than wooden bow. Scythian/Xiangu have used historically bows that have some limited similarity to this.
This requires some thickness from the stripes, especially in the attachement side, but otherwise should be quite trivial. No need to do any glue-ups, except horn-sinew attachment and no need to do splices or to heat bend anything.
If the horn stripes are no thick enough, then you need add wood between the sinew and horn. This will also lighten the limbs and thus make the bow more efficient.
NOTE: This kind of bow would not be similar to typical asian composite, nor would it be likely faster than wooden bow. Scythian/Xiangu have used historically bows that have some limited similarity to this.
Up to now the ready cut woods I have found in local wood shops are Junglas nigra, American maple, Douglas pine, black cherry , Canadian tuya and Fraximus Americana.
Are any of these woods any use as core for making a sinew-horn bow??
Are any of these woods any use as core for making a sinew-horn bow??
I have read that carbonised bamboo flooring (built up with vertical stacks) can make quite a good core. You should be able to get a hold of that easily. American maple might also be good.
If you are totally stuck I can send you some maple. Just send me a PM
Cherry and 'American' maple should work fine. Or try searching for bamboo. I've used prunus avium for a core and it's still shooting well now.
Cherry and 'American' maple should work fine. Or try searching for bamboo. I've used prunus avium for a core and it's still shooting well now.
Many thanks Mikekeswick for that very generous offer!! But I have found what looks like good maple wood in a shop here catering to model building.
As to Prunus avium I did plant quite a few some ten years ago as part of a reforestation of some mountain land and they have grown tall and strait quite fast but still too thin for getting an adequate strip. But from now on I will be looking at them with a much less protective eye. :)
The bamboo idea was my first choice as it is in the core of some very good Asiatic bows. But it seems that what is usually offered are strips for outer reinforcemet with the cover or bark still on. Can that cover be planed off? As for Daryush's idea of carbonized bamboo, can the sinew and horn be adequately put on it?
What is good wood for the ?siyahs ??
Linguistic question: does anybody know the exact etymological origin of the Arabic word ?siyah? is, I am not quite sure of the verb it derives from.
As to Prunus avium I did plant quite a few some ten years ago as part of a reforestation of some mountain land and they have grown tall and strait quite fast but still too thin for getting an adequate strip. But from now on I will be looking at them with a much less protective eye. :)
The bamboo idea was my first choice as it is in the core of some very good Asiatic bows. But it seems that what is usually offered are strips for outer reinforcemet with the cover or bark still on. Can that cover be planed off? As for Daryush's idea of carbonized bamboo, can the sinew and horn be adequately put on it?
What is good wood for the ?siyahs ??
Linguistic question: does anybody know the exact etymological origin of the Arabic word ?siyah? is, I am not quite sure of the verb it derives from.
Ideally you want green poles with thick walls. It is then split and heated until pliable (when it looks like it's started to sweat!) then pressed flat. I have had sucess bending dried bamboo with dry heat but haven't actually made a core from it. Maybe somebody with more experience of it will chime in.
Prunus avium makes good self bows as well for the future also the inner bark makes beautiful red/purple coloured wraps which can be put on arrows etc. It would be a good idea to go around your trees every so often and prune off any braches that sprout.
Prunus avium makes good self bows as well for the future also the inner bark makes beautiful red/purple coloured wraps which can be put on arrows etc. It would be a good idea to go around your trees every so often and prune off any braches that sprout.
Hawthorn, ash, mulberry, osage, maple etc will make good syhia's. What you want is a wood that bends and glues well. Then adjust the width depending on the sg of the particular wood eg. denser heavy woods can be proportinately narrower.