Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: jameswoodmot on June 11, 2025, 06:50:26 pm
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So, as I think many people do when they first start making bows I’ve been chasing speed recently. Or at least efficiency over all out speed. I’ve been trying to force a draw weight out of a piece of wood as opposed to letting the wood become what it is a capable of.
My goal with this bow was no set, which i achieved. Admittedly achieving no set at a grand weight of 28lb isn’t that much of a feat, but I did it. I reckon I could have got another 5lb out of it no problem but I was playing it super safe.
This piece of wood was the “top” of an elm sapling and about 2” diameter in the middle. It had a light air gun heat treat and straighten.
Don John jones style grip and African Blackwood tip overlays. Leather dye finish.
60” nock to nock
28@28”
165fps @11gpp
Thanks for looking
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Don't sell yourself short. You accomplished EXACTLY what you set out to do. The draw weight is irrelevant. Thats a great looking bow and I can count on one hand how many folks have a bow that took no set. You got great speed from a hard bow to build and showed that you are getting efficient usage of the draw energy available. Im impressed, and congratulations. All you have to do now is scale it up, and apply these lesson to the next bow. Seriously, good job.
These lighter weight bows by the way, offer opportunity thats hard to get out of heavier bow just because of wood quality is harder to get that supports heavier draw weight.
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That's a beautiful bow, as for weight just try starting with it a little heaver at first brace, if I get the to close before I start I will wind up missing weight every time, so I get them braces when they are pretty heavy. :)
Pappy
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That's a fine looking bow. Good speed for such a light draw weight.
Can't wait to see the next one.
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Wow this is a beautiful bow and tiller! You can be sure to make a hunting weight bow by using same principles used to make this one. I’ve made a number of mollegabet style bows and they are not for the faint of heart. Well done. The bend looks perfect. Not sure how long you been making bows but this bow is nice. Decent speed too!
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handsome bow, clean and simple
Del
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My goal with this bow was no set, which i achieved.
Beautiful bow with an excellent looking tiller. Badger has said that avoiding set is key to making fast bows (and he should know), so your goal here is not necessarily incompatible with more speed.
Mark
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nice work!
Estimating a weight goal to tiller to, for a given width, working limb length and wood type is the expertise that separates good bowyers from the great ones. I like your approach to developing the knack.
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Thank you all! Thanks for the encouragement
Of all the various shapes and sizes of bows I could try next I still keep coming back to this design, maybe a more traditional one next time without the flipped tips and arrow shelf
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I agree with the others. Very nice bend.
Bjrogg
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beauty! no set? always an accomplishment! congratulation !