Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Calamitus on January 23, 2013, 02:45:02 am

Title: Bendy handle question.
Post by: Calamitus on January 23, 2013, 02:45:02 am

I want to build a bow, 50#, out of red oak board. I want it shorter than 60" and was wondering if a bendy handle can be narrower (1.25"?) and still be safe. I can build up the shape with rawhide ( best glue for that?). Thanks.

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: Cardboard_Duck on January 23, 2013, 09:51:51 am

I have never built one from red oak, but I have two that are an inch wide at the widest point.

One is osage that is 58" TtT and about #50lbs @ 28" and the other is a bamboo backed ipe that is 64" TtT and is about #55 @ 28". They both shoot great and are my favorite to shoot.

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8229753926_bc92619a27_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8215101313_58610b0e3b_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/8041192017_4aaf3686b0_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8309/8036974862_665053463b_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: lesken2011 on January 23, 2013, 09:53:18 am

I made a white oak bendy handle that was 60" ttt and 58" n2n. It was 1.5" wide, though, and linen backed for safety even though the grain was perfectly straight. It easily could have been 50#, but I was making it for a youth and took it down to about 40# at 28"....35# at his draw length. Here is a pic.
(http://traditionalbowman.com/hwdphotos/uploads/62/2/jxm5m7kpcx2qyi.jpg)

I am less confident with red oak as most that I have seen doesn't seem as dense to me.

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: Dictionary on January 23, 2013, 10:41:47 am

1 1/4 will be fine. Id shoot for more in the 40-45 pound range though to be safe. I'd make it longer than 60 inches if it is for a 50 pound bow. Then again i build safe bows. Go for it.

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: autologus on January 23, 2013, 11:25:34 am

I'm building one right now out of red oak that is 1.25" wide at the handle and have it ready for the tree.   I am hoping it will come in at 45 - 50# we will see.  Mine is 59" ntn.

Grady

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: bubby on January 23, 2013, 03:05:55 pm

tb will work to glue the rawhide, with red oak under 60" I would back it with rawhide for safety if it was me

Title: Re: Bendy handle question.
Post by: crooketarrow on January 23, 2013, 03:19:26 pm

   I never built a any bendy handle oak but have elm, hackberry, quite a few hickory and osage any where from 52 to 58 inch range, 50 to 60 pounds. These were anywhere form a inch to 1 1/4"s with no problems..