To answer a few more questions. Rileyconcrete I sent you a personal message. There is a heavy backing of sinew. I started out with 3 thick courses, and after tillering produced a disappointing weight I added another 1.5 layers which raised the weight 14# and increased the reflex further. The sinew is at least 1/3 of the thickness.
The total Length knock to knock is 38.75". With the reflex, unstrung almost 37. This one is 1.5" wide above the handle tapering from there. A previous couple I made did not taper much as far as width and had fretting that was delt with as shown in Boyer's bible 3. Tapered down and had no repeats. The thickness above the handle is 3/4", and the cross section is a flattened oval.
As far as the compression strength of incense cedar. I have made 7 of these bows in the last couple years. I started off using the strait trunk, that worked okay. All the info I have read says the limbs were preferred, and I can see why. It has closer grain and cannot be compaired to the trunk as far as performance goes. The limbs are far superior. One more note. It was reported the Miwok made there bows of green wood. The first one I made was very green and after it was finished and backed with sinew it warped to the side. I used it to see how far it could be pulled before braking. I still shape the bows green, but wait a while to make sure the core is sound before I back it.
There is lots of information on line about these bows I don't have documented right now. Craig Bates wrote a study on the bows called "the reflexed sinew-backed bow of the Sierra Miwok. It has a good bit of info on the bows, but lacks any info about the arrows used. That can be found with a bit of diligent google searching. The Lowie Museum of Anthropology has 2 wonderful specimens I have had the opportunity to examine. I have learned alot about these bows in the last few years from research, construction and shooting. I may submit an article for the magazine after I learn a bit more.
