Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: natty on November 28, 2009, 05:54:29 pm
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i'm 17 and think to much plus not having experience results in creative ignorance .iwas wonderingif it be possible to biuld a sinew backed 1/4 sawn oak bow.60''/50#?
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you have come to the right place.
With quarter sawn oak you can get a 50# bow out of a 60" stave IF the limbs are 2" wide coming out of the fades. Use white oak. I make several bows of quarter sawn white oak this summer and this is what i found:
1.75" minimum will get you a 50# bow if it's at least 64" long.
2" and the thing can be a little shorter.
No sinew necessary.....BUT! You could do it, anyway!
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i've made one white oak bow. it blew up. however it was one of my first. i think you could do 60" white oak just let it bend through the handle. maybe 1 5/8 wide and slightly bending in the handle. sinew could give you a stif handle. how far are you drawing??? if 27" or less then you could do the 60" with good tiller.
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may I ask why the sinew backing. If you get a nice straight grain 1/4 sawn board 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide by 1 inch thick , taper the handle to the ends, it could easily give you a 60 lb bow. Also back with wood or hide, maybe. I would reseverve the sinew for a nice stave bow, raw cut from a tree.I have made 80 lb hickory bows from that demonsion, added a small board for th handle and shaped . Then added elk hide for backing for string follow, which was next to nothing. Good Luck Denny P.S>I for got the length is also very important. I have found board bows to be more stable at 66 inches or more. However with care you can get success with smaller.