Short Self Bow Help?

[TheWildCat]

Ok Y'all. I am lookin fer some information. I want to build a Short Self Bow (No Backin)...approx. 60" Tip to Tip...50#@28". I love my Long Bows, but want to Turkey Hunt from a ground blind in the Spring. I suspect I am gonna hear Osage and Hickry as the primary wood choice, but what other choices are there fer that short a bow? Is there a limit to how short a self bow you can make @ 28" draw? What style would best handle these specs? How wide should the limbs be at the fades? Anyone have one that they have built that resembles these specs?

[sailordad]

well i would say,osage or ipe,  bend thru the handle "d" bow
dont know about the dimensions though

[Justin Snyder]

What kind of wood do you have access too? You can build a short bow from almost anything, but we need to know what kind of wood before we can even begin to tell you what dimensions to use. 

[Shadow Walker]

i use hop hornbeam for my short bows. I make them very short...like 48".
the HHB takes a lot of stress! and it's extremely fast!
I have posted one that is 48". It isd backed though, with HHb bark, but that was done for camo effect rather than protection.
It is 1-3/4" at the fades down to 1/2 ' at the tips.
I have had no problems with HHB selfbows of this lenght, so, it should definately handle 60".
If you want to check it out, the post is entitled " all bark and a lot of bite"
hope that helps!

[Dano]

At a 28" draw an osage "d" bow 56" long would work real well, you could go shorter, if you want to push it. You'll have to flip the tips a tad for string angle. My last short bow was 52" 1 1/4" wide to mid limb tapered to 3/8" this bow was only tillered to 26" but the guy I gave it to is shooting it at 27", so it's prolly 53# at that draw. This bow had a big knot in the handle area so it wasn't quite a "D" bow , but it did bend through the handle.

[woodstick]

i have made 2 at 54" @ 26" draw worked real good osage .

[sulphur]

hackberry makes a surprisingly good short bow.  its really pretty tough.  however, i must recommend osage too.  but there are lots of ways to come up with a good shortie.  I have a 57" recurve osage about to get some sinew.  hopefully that will be my spring turkey bow!!! can't wait!!  good luck

[TheWildCat]

I agree with ya Sailordad, I believe it will have to bend through the handle fer sure. And no doubt Osage is at the top a the list. I have neer worked Ipe, but might consider it. Justin, I purposely didn't tell ya what was available to me so I wouldn't be limited to what is just local. I am interested in all the different woods that are up to the task. I live in SW Florida, so I have to obtain most of my woods from out sources any ways. Shadow Walker, the Hop Hornbeam sure interest me. My plans are short to me, but obviously long next to your 48" bow. Thanks fer the pics Dano. Thats a pretty bow and definately a testimony fer Osage. Thanks fer the input Woodstick...Osage has a strong followin, and I can see why. Sulphur, Hackberry is one I fergot bout, and it is a local grower here. I have a buddy who has a hackberry longbow and it shoots great. Thanks fer all the input.

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, there is a limit and in part, it depends on the wood. Using osage the bow dims you want can be done but it won't be easy. Jawge

[Shadow Walker]

Her's an example of what can be done wit hop hornbeam. This is the 48" bow.

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