When is a self bow a self bow......

[E. Jensen]

Which is why I'm glad two definitions were introduced, an older one like we think, bare bow, and a modern one

[huisme]

interesting
I always though a self bow had to have self nocks etc and no modifications. A "Bare bow"
Boy was I wrong!

Some bows had sinew nocks even though they weren't backed with sinew, leather shelf and handle, fur on the belly to quiet the bow, all these things are additions to the stick. What matters is what does the work

The two definitions are pretty apt

[Pat B]

Tip overlays are cosmetic on most bows, not necessary. With woods that need tip protection tip overlays or horn nocks are just that, protection and have nothing to do with performance. siyahs added to a bows limb makes that bow a compound bow, compound construction that is.

[huisme]

Mellegabets just need them because there shouldn't be enough meat at the tip to hold a string unless you add a back nock The bow I recently sent to Blaflair actually didn't need the walnut overlays at all, they didn't even do anything, they were just pretty.

Not sure about compound construction though. You could get the same effect by recurving a molle lever to the extreme (been thinking about that).

[George Tsoukalas]

If it is backed with anything it is a backed bow not a selfbow.

The term "self" implies a uniformity of materials.

Jawge

[Hrothgar]

So, if its made from a single piece of wood, its unbacked, and I made by myself, I can call it a "selfie" ? 

[huisme]

So, if its made from a single piece of wood, its unbacked, and I made by myself, I can call it a "selfie" ? 

No.

Maybe.

But no.

[Lucasade]

In a purely theoretical way (because I've got no idea how the design mechanics work) if you had a stave, sawed off the ends to make siyahs and reattached them would it still be a self bow? That presumably would be just the same as using two billets made from the same piece of wood?

[half eye]

I with you George T, be careful with the common sense thing though
rich