Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DavidV on March 12, 2013, 09:25:34 pm
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Are there certain bow designs that would be well suited to high crowned staves? I recall hearing that Holmegaard bows were made from smaller trees but I may be out of my mind since I've only seen really wide limbed ones.
The reason I ask is I have a winged elm stave and I'd like to try a lever bow for the first time.
(Recently learned that Holmegaard bows weren't lever bows)
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I can't answer regarding the Holmegaard design....but check out Druid's bows. All of his bows are made from high crowned peices of wood that pull exceptionally high draw weights. Most of them have the same thing in common......Length(above 5 feet) and bend throughout their length.
What size tree was it?
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It was 3" on the big end and 1 1/2" at the small end but it's 75" long and I can cut it down a little.
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I'm going to go ahead with it, what do you think about these specs?
68" overall
12" levers
8" handle and fades
18" working limb
I'm shooting for around 40# at 28"
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I've only built a few bows with elm but was very impressed with it as a selfbow. You should be able to achieve your goal easily. Be sure to keep the belly dead flat. That will relieve some of the high crown stresses. Elm reacts well to heat treating too.
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if the original Holmy or Molli bows were elm anyway.
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I started roughing it down today, it has alot narrower limbs than most I've seen but hopefully it'll be okay. Elm is a hard wood to work because of the interlocking fibers.