Ambush Bow Challenge

[Keenan]

 ;Simson, I agree with your thoughts except for one. Yew will do better! Harder wood doesn't always mean stronger.

[blackhawk]

My thoughts:
max 58",
a static recurve for speed,
a deflex just after the handle so the tips are laying only 1" befor the handle - this allows heavy early drawweight and to keep the bow strung for the whole day,
and I prefer heavier drawweights - min 65#
wood: no softwood like yew or others, best choice Imo is osage

simson

You mean something like this simson ....this osage stave was 56"ttt before shaping and is rawhide backed...its just waiting for me to finish tiller it out..intended specs are at least 60@28"

 

[blackhawk]

;Simson, I agree with your thoughts except for one. Yew will do better! Harder wood doesn't always mean stronger.

Not everyone can carry a bow with "class" thru the woods like you Keenan  

[fishfinder401]

since i cant do anything normal, i think im going to have to try making a warbow weight ambush bow that sticks to all of the requirements and draws 31in
(i have a feeling this will either be a very good or absolutely terrible idea)

[RyanY]

fishfinder401, I'm guessing that means a minimum of 80#? 

Well since this discussing is wandering back and forth I'm going to put my foot down and decide on the rules. The bow should meet the requirements specified by Dean's initial writing.

Changes:
1. The bow should be at least 40# at your draw length but if so then the bow should be reduced two inches for every 5# of draw weight. This means a 40# bow will be 54" and a 45# bow will be 56". No minimum length but a max length of 58". Minimum draw weight of 40# but no max draw weight.

2. The difference in draw length below 28" should be subtracted from the bow length. If the bow is meant to be 50#@26" then it should be 56" long max.

The two rules above combine. For example, a 40#@26" bow should be 52" long.

I think these are fair rules that will challenge the builder no matter what their desired draw weight and length.

[fishfinder401]

80  im thinking more like 130
i want to be able to ambush a armored knight lol

[KShip85]

Are we talking self bows only or can it be backed?

Kip

[fishfinder401]

Are we talking self bows only or can it be backed?

Kip

good point

[RyanY]

KShip85, I think both are fine but they should be compared relative to the same style.