Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: liyeliye123123 on December 19, 2018, 03:35:58 am

Title: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: liyeliye123123 on December 19, 2018, 03:35:58 am
Hi guys. I have a question. How do you make a R/D selfbow. (The ones that deflex right out of the fade area)What kind of form do you use? I have made recurves and reflex selfbow before so I can do some heat treating and steaming.

Thank you very much.

Li
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: TimBo on December 19, 2018, 05:31:29 am
Sleek has done a few you might find interesting - here is one:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61547.msg860428.html#msg860428

I think if you dig around, he posted photos of his setup/process at some point.
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 19, 2018, 06:08:49 am
Sleek has done a few you might find interesting - here is one:

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,61547.msg860428.html#msg860428

I think if you dig around, he posted photos of his setup/process at some point.

Not an RD selfbow
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 19, 2018, 06:13:54 am
These on the other hand are

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,21505.msg293077.html#msg293077

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,20746.msg283947.html#msg283947
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: PatM on December 19, 2018, 06:27:06 am
Hi guys. I have a question. How do you make a R/D selfbow. (The ones that deflex right out of the fade area)What kind of form do you use? I have made recurves and reflex selfbow before so I can do some heat treating and steaming.

Thank you very much.

Li

  Depending on the wood you use it is possible to just bend the wood across your knee if you bend the center or clamp the handle in a vice and bend the fades themselves manually.

 You don't see many with bent fades but it is a very viable solution to attaining the deflex  in a less complex manner.  If you steam the center you'll need to thin it and then build it back up.

 Or you can do the splice like Marc does.
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: simk on December 19, 2018, 07:33:41 am
You could also try this

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,63379.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,63379.0.html)

I've tried four now and more or less failed. First didn't hold reflex - second let go midlimb on the sapwood (black locust) - third let go midlimb - This last one broke midlimb after I thought i finished the tillering. At the moment im done with r/d selfbow's...but will try it again later with more expierience and better wood.

Cheers and good luck

Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: TimBo on December 19, 2018, 02:31:01 pm
Well, double oops... :-[ The question just made me think of those short bows of Sleeks that he bent right out of the fades, but I should have thought of Marc's lovely creations as well. 
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: PatM on December 19, 2018, 05:57:18 pm
  Those could count if the limbs retained reflex.  Although they are also recurved.   Close enough though.
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: liyeliye123123 on December 20, 2018, 03:26:57 am
Thanks guys. I think I have an idea.
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: Bob Barnes on December 20, 2018, 07:12:15 am
Try the black locust wide, like 1 3/8"~1 1/2", and remove all sapwood...chase the back just like osage.  It will make a nice D/R selfbow.
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: Weylin on December 20, 2018, 04:52:39 pm
You tricked me with that title. I thought you were going to show US how!  ;D
Title: Re: How to make a R/D selfbow
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 21, 2018, 06:07:23 am
Unless you get really lucky and find a natural stave the only way, IMO, is to use dry-heat to get the desired reflex in the limbs for a selfbow.  Steam-heat induced reflex will generally pull out after awhile