D bow from billets?

[ajbruggink]

Hey Guys,

I'm almost hesitant to ask this question because I feel like the answer is no but I thought I would ask anyway. Can you make a bend in handle bow from billets spliced together? I feel like the answer is no because a bow made from billets in glued together in the handle, a bendy bow bends in the handle, and a glued joint is probably never as strong as a solid piece of wood in this situation and a stiff handle would be better idea. Now you're probably wondering; Aaron, why on Earth would you want to make a bow that bends in the handle from billets? My only reason is because I possess two pacific yew billets and I wanted to eventually make a bow based on the bows found at Nydam, which were basically medieval English Longbows, which don't bend in the handle. Any replies or comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Pat B]

I've seen it done but I wouldn't do it myself.

[Blaflair2]

If the mating surface is perfect it is said tightbond joints are stronger than the wood itself. I'd try it. I'd wrap the handle with hemp and glue or something.

[Del the cat]

Just my view... if you want to do spliced Yew billets with a bend in the handle the best way is to do the splice and then take off a shallow curved scoop off the back (longer than the splice) say 3/16 thick so that it still leaves some sapwood at the splice. Then splice on a long (8-9"?) matching piece of sapwood cut curved to suit and carefully blended in
I've done repairs like that where a splice has failed. The splice is fine on the compression side, as the force is just pushing it tighter together.
Look at it as if you are joining two bits of 1" x 1/2" with a simple butt joint... no strength at all, add the plate over the back and suddenly you could bend it.
The repair of a smashed splice is detailed in my blog... starting here. (Ok it was an ELB not a full bend in the handle, but it's a good draw weight/length)
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/damn-it-smashed-in-my-hand.html
Del

[WillS]

I know I've said this before, and I still don't have photos to prove it, but Joe Gibbs has made English warbows in the 160# draw weight range that bend fully through the handle full compass from two billets.  He uses a 7" long z splice, glues them up and then pretends it's just a normal full length stave.  If done properly, the glue area should be stronger than the surrounding wood, so there's absolutely no reason it shouldn't work.

[koan]

As I recall Tom Sawyer did it a few years back... Brian

[PEARL DRUMS]

I've done one that way. To the best of my knowledge its still alive.

[ajbruggink]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to try it with some other, cheaper wood first to see what happens and I'll post the results.