First go with Ipe and Bamboo - ELB

[jameswoodmot]

So finally got round to it! For some reason, despite the fact I think I hate them, I keep coming back to English long bows. I guess because they’re a challenge that I can’t seem to get past.

I have a hard time believing Ipe is a natural material, it feels more like working Tufnell than wood!
Bamboo is lovely, behaves itself very well.

Wasn’t sure on dimensions but read around the place it doesn’t take a lot of wood. 74” long, 1 1/8” at the widest point and 7/8 thick. 3/4 x3/4” at mid limb, 3/8 x3/8” at the tips.

I went for a straight taper in width before glue up it ended up a bit narrow mid limb. I could  have left it a good bit wider at the tips and narrowed them later on.i would have liked the limbs to be a bit wider than they are thick.

70lb at 29”

I can’t believe how small this bow is, just dinky. It started with about 1” of reflex and has a tiny bit of string follow after shooting. Wider, thinner limbs next time!

It still needs shooting in, a proper string and oiling yet.

As always, thank you all for the wisdom and help shared here, both now and in the past!

[JW_Halverson]

Boo and Ipe rather like each other, it seems. Post more of this bow porn when you get her all oiled up! As good as she looks right now I expect she's gonna glow up for you! Nice work.

[sleek]

I got to say, not much sexier than some perfect glue lines. Your craftsmanship and attention to detail will not go unappreciated here sir!

[bassman211]

Nice. Any deflex at rest?

[superdav95]

Very well done here.  Boo backing add a lot and it don’t take much as you discovered.  It’s a great combo with ipe.  Nice work. 

[Del the cat]

Gotta see the full draw shot....
Del

[Bob Barnes]

Bamboo backed Ipe is one of my favorite combinations.  I made an ELB that was 68" long and drew 55#.  It was 15/16" wide tapered to about 3/8" tips.  My 64" RD longbow is just under an inch wide and draws 50#.  Both bows are very well mannered and quiet.  Congrats.