Core thicknesses on Mongolian Bows
I have been trying to research the different thicknesses of cores on Mongolian Bows but so far not finding anything other then seeing a couple of cross sections.
I am referring to all Mongolian Bows not just the ones by the company
named Mongolian Bows which are more glass type bows and not composites..
I am seeing that there is quite a variety of bows being used now of several different styles so I am interested in each of them.
I'd appreciate any input, on the core thicknesses and the kinds of woods used.
And, also any comparisons between them and Manchu bows.
I am referring to all Mongolian Bows not just the ones by the company
named Mongolian Bows which are more glass type bows and not composites..
I am seeing that there is quite a variety of bows being used now of several different styles so I am interested in each of them.
I'd appreciate any input, on the core thicknesses and the kinds of woods used.
And, also any comparisons between them and Manchu bows.
Looking at Stephens "The Visible Bow" photos it looks like approximately 4 mm on the core thickness , is this ball park?
I am going to be using ash for the first try, I am intrigued also by bamboo.
I am going to be using ash for the first try, I am intrigued also by bamboo.
Jake, yes 4-5mm is a nearly universal rule for core thickness in asian composites.
there are too many bows called mongol.
to be historically correct, you may chose
a) the contemporary Naadam bow design, which is a derivate of the Manchu bow and relatively overbuilt but very stable.
b) the medieval empire era bow: according to persian miniature paintings and the archaeological finds, there seems to have been a prevalent design best represented by the Shiluustei Sum curved bow, the Tsagaan Khad bow, the Uighur bow of the Turfan museum, the Xining bow and also the "Omnogov" bow (which is however strangely dated to the 17th century.)
-> These bows basically have curved minimal contact siyhas (there are small string pads in the Tsgaan Khad bow), most probably V-spliced wooden cores, and no siyah bone plates.
Nevertheless there are also less recurved bows which Jack once called the "indigenous" mongolian bow (Shiluustei Sum non-curved and Yuan bow from the Silk Rd museum).
c) the old turk era bows also found on now mongolian territory: non-contact, non-bone plate siyahs without pronounced siyah curving
d) Xiongnu/Hun era bows, also found on now mongolian territory: non-contact, bone-plate reinforced, slightly cuved siyahs. many of these bows were asymmetric.
on core material:
for a) bamboo and birch siyahs
for the other designs) elm, birch, cherry and willow have been found
there are too many bows called mongol.
to be historically correct, you may chose
a) the contemporary Naadam bow design, which is a derivate of the Manchu bow and relatively overbuilt but very stable.
b) the medieval empire era bow: according to persian miniature paintings and the archaeological finds, there seems to have been a prevalent design best represented by the Shiluustei Sum curved bow, the Tsagaan Khad bow, the Uighur bow of the Turfan museum, the Xining bow and also the "Omnogov" bow (which is however strangely dated to the 17th century.)
-> These bows basically have curved minimal contact siyhas (there are small string pads in the Tsgaan Khad bow), most probably V-spliced wooden cores, and no siyah bone plates.
Nevertheless there are also less recurved bows which Jack once called the "indigenous" mongolian bow (Shiluustei Sum non-curved and Yuan bow from the Silk Rd museum).
c) the old turk era bows also found on now mongolian territory: non-contact, non-bone plate siyahs without pronounced siyah curving
d) Xiongnu/Hun era bows, also found on now mongolian territory: non-contact, bone-plate reinforced, slightly cuved siyahs. many of these bows were asymmetric.
on core material:
for a) bamboo and birch siyahs
for the other designs) elm, birch, cherry and willow have been found
Thanks Uli
Yes it is actually the Nadaam that I want to do. As I posted on another thread the Nadaam is one of my all time dream trips to do.
And overbuilt is just what I need and to do.
Stephens The Visible Bow is a really great help on seeing what needs to be.
I roughed out a siyah yesterday, more for something to do then to use, its only pine but started to give me the feel of it. Trying to picture the splice and how best to do it, my next splice will be my first one.
The little ash that I am going to use has only 3/8s " tips so I will have to go a little further down to get enough wood for a joint. However I do it there will be a considerable amount of sinew wrap around the joint. This is a get my hands wet project, I am way to the left hand side of the Bell Curve on this, even though I have been making self bows for some years. So I am going to be making quite a few splices etc on scrap wood etc as I go along.
I had guestimated 4-5 mm, or 1/8" for cores, I know it varies for each different section but was looking for a general guide to go from.
Thanks.
I am going by a Woodcrafters store this week and will look at what woods they have for siyahs, risers etc. What I am reading is Acacia, Mulberry, Sandalwood and Elm are all used, for siyahs and risers, I will be looking at their Maple and others also, and I think I do have a couple small pcs of Osage that could be used.
Thanks again,
this is really getting interesting. Todays project is including scraping some more of the belly of the ash.
Yes it is actually the Nadaam that I want to do. As I posted on another thread the Nadaam is one of my all time dream trips to do.
And overbuilt is just what I need and to do.
Stephens The Visible Bow is a really great help on seeing what needs to be.
I roughed out a siyah yesterday, more for something to do then to use, its only pine but started to give me the feel of it. Trying to picture the splice and how best to do it, my next splice will be my first one.
The little ash that I am going to use has only 3/8s " tips so I will have to go a little further down to get enough wood for a joint. However I do it there will be a considerable amount of sinew wrap around the joint. This is a get my hands wet project, I am way to the left hand side of the Bell Curve on this, even though I have been making self bows for some years. So I am going to be making quite a few splices etc on scrap wood etc as I go along.
I had guestimated 4-5 mm, or 1/8" for cores, I know it varies for each different section but was looking for a general guide to go from.
Thanks.
I am going by a Woodcrafters store this week and will look at what woods they have for siyahs, risers etc. What I am reading is Acacia, Mulberry, Sandalwood and Elm are all used, for siyahs and risers, I will be looking at their Maple and others also, and I think I do have a couple small pcs of Osage that could be used.
Thanks again,
this is really getting interesting. Todays project is including scraping some more of the belly of the ash.