Short Bows

[nlester]

I have a stave that's 52" long, and I'm wanting to make a bow out of it.  I've never built a short bow before and was curious on limb width.  My draw is 27-28, roughly, but I figured on building a bow that I would short draw....may 22-25.  Also, if I short draw it, is it necessary to back it?  Any help would be appreciated. 

[boughnut]

what kind of wood is it?

[DarkSoul]

The wider you can make it, the more drawlength you can squeeze out of it...

[osage outlaw]

If it were me, I would reflex it, flip the tips, and sinew back it.  You might get close to your usual drawlength.

[nlester]

I guess I should've specified....the stave is hedge(osage).  I've never sinew backed one either....another challenge perhaps   How wide are we talking, DarkSoul?

[rossfactor]

A bend-through-the-handle design on a 52 inch osage stave can easily get you 27 inches of draw length.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,25626.msg344264.html#msg344264

gabe

[gstoneberg]

I don't think I'd go any wider than 1.75", but I've seen bows out to 2" wide that were shorter than 50".  If the working limbs are pretty clear and the top ring decent I don't think I'd back it.  If it were mine I'd narrow the handle some and let it just bend a little at full draw, with limbs an inch and three quarters wide at the fades, parallel for the first 12" and then tapering to the tips which are flipped/recurved slightly to keep stacking down.  Like Gabe says, you should get 27" without much trouble.  Should be a good hunting bow, though shooting the shorties is a little different than a long bow.

Good luck,
George

[Bryce]

I agree with Gabe, but make it 2" wide at fades. With a good even tiller, should come out real nice

-pinecone

[nlester]

Thanks for the info.  Love the shortbow builders thread that was courtesy of rossfactor.  Very help info, everyone. 

[PEARL DRUMS]

The usual give-and-takes will rear their ugly heads, its inevitable.

[Mo_coon-catcher]

Sounds about like a bow that I'm starting on. It started life as an osage bow that came in way under weight (30 lbs) So I cut it down to 53 inches and am going to make it a bend through the handle. And I'm going to try to make it around 50 lbs and 28in if possible. My problem is it is only 1 3/8" wide so I'm recurving it, heat treating it, and am going to put 3 layers of sinew on it to up the weight and make it more durable and up the weight. This is my first bow this short too, and first bendy handle. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.

[MWirwicki]

I recently made a 52" bendy handle.  It draws 55# at 26" and is sinew backed.  I only backed it because I like sinew backing (go figure ).  Before the backing though it had about 1/2" of string follow and was around 50#.  With the sinew, it retains a bit more of the reflex than otherwise.  It is about 1-1/8" wide straight out of the handle to mid-limb where it then tapers to 3/8" tips. 

[autologus]

You need to pick Half-Eye's brain he seems to be the king of short bows.  He even makes a 50" bow from a Red Oak board with almost no set (I believe he uses magic).

[nlester]

You need to pick Half-Eye's brain he seems to be the king of short bows.  He even makes a 50" bow from a Red Oak board with almost no set (I believe he uses magic).

I know it.  That guy can flat out make a short bow!!!!

[Boudreaux]

I have numerous bows that are 52 in bendy handle bows that draw 27 inches. My 2 favorite bows are 52 inches bendy handle drawing 52#@27 and they are both 7/8in wide at the handle. I have one in the work right now that is 5/8 in wide at the handle....

Thanks
Boswell