Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Oz on February 20, 2013, 08:52:56 am

Title: African Acacia
Post by: Oz on February 20, 2013, 08:52:56 am

Hi All

I am living in Zimbabwe, Africa and there are a lot of Acacia trees about. In fact I still have thorns stuck in my shoe from the last hunt. I have never successfully made a bow before and would like to do make the dream happen. I have an Acacia in my yard (have identified what type yet) and I would like to know if it is possible to make a bow from one of its 3in wide branches (I cant cut the tree down as the wife will kill me).

Any tips would be great.

Oz

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: Slackbunny on February 20, 2013, 09:33:15 am

I've never heard of acacia being used, but that is probably because most of the people here are from North America and Europe. If nobody here has any experience with it I would give it a go anyway to test it out. Most wood can make a functioning bow even if it isn't a very heavy or fast one.

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: autologus on February 20, 2013, 09:43:43 am

Acacias are in the Mimosa family of trees and Mimosas tend to be very brittle.  My guess is that they would not make a good bow but you can always try it out.  Red acacia is also known as Shittim wood, the wood that was used to make the Ark of the Covenant.

Grady

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: Pat B on February 20, 2013, 09:59:48 am

What did the local indiginous people use for their bows?

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: Dictionary on February 20, 2013, 10:04:58 am

Quote from: Pat B on February 20, 2013, 09:59:48 am

What did the local indiginous people use for their bows?

This is the best question......




If experimenting with unfamiliar wood, make the first bow as tall as you are.

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: BowEd on February 20, 2013, 12:50:38 pm

If you don't mind learning from books the TTB series is available but maybe you can get a local bow maker from a tribe near you that could help too.Just an idea.These questions asked have a way of getting answered with time.If there's a will there's a way.Bottom line is you'll have to pull some shavings and make some saw dust to really know yourself.

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on February 20, 2013, 08:32:16 pm

I remember hearing of acacia being used.  The one in my mom's backyard flowers yellow and has no thorns, I think the purple flowered thorned kind was used by Australian Aboriginees?  It's worth a shot, one of these days I'll try one of my ma's trees George Washington style, I bet he was a bowyer :)

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: Newindian on February 20, 2013, 09:03:33 pm

Wernt there some acacia bows used by the Egyptians

Title: Re: African Acacia
Post by: kid bow on February 20, 2013, 09:36:34 pm

I would try it friend always wanted to learn bush craft in south africa. You can learn from local tribes. I hope you are successful in your now building