American Bison Horn bow(new pics)

[Ryano]

That's pretty neat Timo. Not really what I expected to see from the tittle "Horn bow".....but cool none the less.
How does it perform? Any hand shock? I've never worked with horn but I've always read you need to have heavily reflexed limbs to make the horn belly store enough energy to overcome the added mass weight from the horn vs. a wood belly. Do you find this to be true?

[OldBow]

This is a laminate (sinewed osage w horn belly), right? Some real craftsmanship here. You've got to really proud of it. Bookmarked under Laminates for BOM for August.

[Barrage]

Great bow Timo.

[Timo]

 Thanks again all for the compliments.

Ryano, Tom Resslers artical a couple issues ago, sparked my interests again in these type of bows. Based off the lakota Indians and the bows they made and used to hunt the buffalo off horse back,short, quick pointing, and with plenty enough power to bury stone tipped arrows deep into the rib cage of the buffalo.  Worth many horses. Perty tough to make I figure, with stone tools?

The horn is perty thin maybe an 1/8" at the thickest place.So there isn't alot of extra mass weight.I figure the sinew adds about as much, and maybe it helps with storing energy? As for performance, I puposely added a good bit of deflex in the handle, to help out on the hand shock, there is very little if any bump to it. I've only shot cane arrows from it so far, and they seem plenty quick enough. I need to run some heavier arrows through it to see how they preform.  I will build more of these bows in the future,and plan on trying some different designs. More reflex in the outer limbs is next on the list.

The core wood is a slat of quarter sawn.I think the next one will from a small stave of some sort.

I definately ain't a bit afraid to shoot some stone tipped arrows with it this fall.

OldBow, yes ,it is buffalo horn belly with sinew backing.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,13877.0.html

[AKAPK]

Timo, How many weeks work did that beaut take to make?

[Timo]

Akapk, I think I started this bow on the 4th of July weekend? Not real sure. Just finished it first of this week.

[FlintWalker]

Tim, that's a beautiful bow and for sure one to be proud of. I hope you kill the biggest deer in Missouri with it this fall.

[Keenan]

Wow Timo, You really topped the chart with that bow. Excellent tiller and detail work and great overall package. I would love to hear about the paint scheme meanings.  Congratulations.   Keenan

[Timo]

Keenan,I explained a little about that on page 2.thanks.

[Wolf Watcher]

Timo:  beautiful workman ship!  I love the design and the paint!  How big were the buffalo horns you used?  I have access to lots of young  cow buffalo horns, but they may not have the diameter to use as you did!  Looks to be BOM for Aug!  Pokie

[DCM]

Plumb dandy Timo, and I really enjoyed the build along thread.

[Timo]

Wolf, those horns were 16" to the tip, but there is alot that is to thick to use near the tip,maybe 4"?

Tom told me that it is best to get the horns from bulls,and get them in a matched set.Not sure why,I guess for balance purposes?

[Parnell]

I go away for 2 weeks and this is what I miss!  Wish I could see that in person. 
Supreme!  Gonna check out that build along.

Parnell

[PaulN/KS]

Amazing work Tim... Those pictures really show it well. I like the full draw shot especially. That would make a great magazine cover.

[Tom Leemans]

Beautiful work as usual Tim. Can't wait to see a hero pic of you, that bow, a stick with a sharp rock tied to it, and some meat.