Egyptian composite build a-long

[welch2]

Yeah it is thick , like the originals, almost as thick as it is wide . It doesn't have as much reflex as the bow I'm copying and it's not as thick either ... It's looking like old bows were kinda heavy draw weight bows. I won't full draw it till I fully wrap the handle .


Ralph

[The Burnt Hill Archer]

have you drawn it at all yet, or just floor tillering?

[welch2]

I've bent it ,handle on my knee ,and pulling both tips ,6 or 7 inches .That was far enough to see the pyramid shape start to form .I had to scrape the horn on the end of one limb just a bit ,because it wasn't unrolling like the other one.

Ralph 

[welch2]

Getting very close to stringing ,,, finally. Thanks for all the help so far guys .
Here is the handle section fully sinew wrapped.



And the nocks are roughly shaped for the first stringing.. Do ya'll think I got shape about right?





In this last picture ,you can see the string groove in the horn the old bows had it too.




Ralph

[welch2]

I took a walk along the river this morning ,and look what I found . I've never covered a whole back with bark ,any tips or ideas?



Ralph

[Pat B]

Ralph, What kind of bark is it. Some barks are too brittle when dried and if the bark cracks there is a chance the bow will also.  Birch bark or cherry bark is what I would use. I believe birch bark is a traditional backing over the sinew on some Asian bows.     Pat

[Papa Matt]

That there looks like Sycamore.

~~Matt

[welch2]

Yep Matt that's what it is .Does anybody have any idea if it will work .

Ralph

[Papa Matt]

Brother, I've never bark-backed a bow, but I grew up with sycamore trees all around the house, and played with the bark and even made kid bows out of the limbs. I doubt that sycamore bark will work cause it likes to crack and crumble like a cracker when it's dry. I wouldn't mess with it.

~~Matt

[alfadee]

i think matt is right.
you need elastic bark to back a bow with and i think the bark you can use for always grows horizontally on the tree.

david

[Pat B]

I thought it looked like sycamore also. It is too crumbly for backing. Canoe birch or choke cherry would be your best bet.        Pat

[welch2]

Thanks guys I'll keep lookin'

Ralph

[Pat B]

Ralph, I may have a few strips of birch bark you are welcome to. How long do you need.     Pat

[welch2]

Thanks Pat, it's 52" long ,but Eddie is already sending me some . What a great bunch.

Ralph

[mullet]

 Ralph, I'll box it tomorrow.