How to make a R/D selfbow

[liyeliye123123]

Hi guys. I have a question. How do you make a R/D selfbow. (The ones that deflex right out of the fade area)What kind of form do you use? I have made recurves and reflex selfbow before so I can do some heat treating and steaming.

Thank you very much.

Li

[TimBo]

Sleek has done a few you might find interesting - here is one:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61547.msg860428.html#msg860428

I think if you dig around, he posted photos of his setup/process at some point.

[Marc St Louis]

Sleek has done a few you might find interesting - here is one:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61547.msg860428.html#msg860428

I think if you dig around, he posted photos of his setup/process at some point.

Not an RD selfbow

[Marc St Louis]

These on the other hand are

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,21505.msg293077.html#msg293077

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,20746.msg283947.html#msg283947

[PatM]

Hi guys. I have a question. How do you make a R/D selfbow. (The ones that deflex right out of the fade area)What kind of form do you use? I have made recurves and reflex selfbow before so I can do some heat treating and steaming.

Thank you very much.

Li

  Depending on the wood you use it is possible to just bend the wood across your knee if you bend the center or clamp the handle in a vice and bend the fades themselves manually.

 You don't see many with bent fades but it is a very viable solution to attaining the deflex  in a less complex manner.  If you steam the center you'll need to thin it and then build it back up.

 Or you can do the splice like Marc does.

[simk]

You could also try this

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,63379.0.html

I've tried four now and more or less failed. First didn't hold reflex - second let go midlimb on the sapwood (black locust) - third let go midlimb - This last one broke midlimb after I thought i finished the tillering. At the moment im done with r/d selfbow's...but will try it again later with more expierience and better wood.

Cheers and good luck

[TimBo]

Well, double oops... The question just made me think of those short bows of Sleeks that he bent right out of the fades, but I should have thought of Marc's lovely creations as well. 

[PatM]

  Those could count if the limbs retained reflex.  Although they are also recurved.   Close enough though.

[liyeliye123123]

Thanks guys. I think I have an idea.

[Bob Barnes]

Try the black locust wide, like 1 3/8"~1 1/2", and remove all sapwood...chase the back just like osage.  It will make a nice D/R selfbow.

[Weylin]

You tricked me with that title. I thought you were going to show US how! 

[Marc St Louis]

Unless you get really lucky and find a natural stave the only way, IMO, is to use dry-heat to get the desired reflex in the limbs for a selfbow.  Steam-heat induced reflex will generally pull out after awhile