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Author Topic: Rattan?  (Read 5285 times)

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Offline JMcCauley

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Rattan?
« on: November 02, 2011, 03:50:35 am »
A friend suggested I try making a rattan bow. Anyone have any experience with this?
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2011, 04:54:36 am »
Make it short and with recurves!
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Frank from Germany...

Offline JMcCauley

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2011, 05:31:18 am »
Mind elaborating?
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Offline Parnell

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2011, 12:59:25 pm »
Hello JM,

Don't forget to use the search windows if something like this comes up.  I remember this link from awhile back, it's a rattan bow that was made for a child.  Don't know about how an adult size would turn out but it'd be interesting to see.  Maybe this can give you some ideas...

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,20912.0.html
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2011, 04:44:26 pm »
Yes, Matthias' is one great example!

Rattan bends easy under dry heat (don't use oil as you would if you'd bend wood with dry heat!), and it's literally unbreakable. Here is one in the process, came out 35#or so at 26". Don't hesitate to ask further questions.
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Frank from Germany...

Offline Ifrit617

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2011, 04:46:33 pm »
YOU GOT THAT LITTLE BOW TO DRAW 26"??? iT MUST BE SOME TOUGH STUFF SEEING ITS ONLY PULLED TO 20" IN THE PIC!
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Offline k-hat

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2011, 04:51:44 pm »
Wow, that pic has me suffering from bow envy AND tool envy! :o
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Offline Parnell

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2011, 05:13:34 pm »
Could rattan go to 50#+?
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Offline jeffhalfrack

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2011, 05:47:46 pm »
   OOOHH  NO  HE   DIDN"T,,,,,,Med Wheel   you  have  to  show  and  tell  more!!!!!!    pleaseeeeeeeeeese!!  I  like it!!!    JEFFW
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Offline Gus

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2011, 07:24:56 pm »
Medicinewheel, that is Awesome!

Does anyone know a good place in the states to procure some Bow quality Rattan?
Been looking through the back threads but haven't seen a reference to such a place yet.

Thanks!

-gus
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"I taught him archery everyday, and when he got good at it he throw an arrow at me."

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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2011, 10:05:42 pm »
I'm not sure with this particular one but I sure have made similar length bows that I pulled to 26". Here is one that I pulled to 29":

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,8499.0.html

Honestly it's no big deal with rattan, it will not break.
Personally I have not made one stronger than 35# but I'm sure 50# can be done.
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Frank from Germany...

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2011, 11:23:18 pm »
Mike Stocklin in Faith, SD regularly makes Siouxan style horse bows in the 70# plus range using rattan and sinew. 

Saw your rattan down the middle, flip it arsey-varsey so the cut side is out and start tillering from the back.  Once you have it floor tillered, string it and finish tillering with the string still on it to show the flat spots.  If you have access to a belt sander and a bandsaw there is no reason for you to take more than an hour to have your bow finished and shooting!  You can leave it unfinished, or sinew back, or rawhide back, back with canvas, silk, paper bag, what ever you wish.  This stuff is seriously tuff!
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Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Del the cat

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #12 on: November 03, 2011, 09:38:58 am »
Apropos of nothing...
I was driving through the countryside one day a nd saw a sign "Rattan Garden Furiniture"
I thought it sounded like a good name for a pub...
"The Rat an' Garden Furniture"
Del (sorry about that...)
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Offline Parnell

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #13 on: November 03, 2011, 02:26:35 pm »
Frank,

How did you find your rattan material - online order?
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Offline medicinewheel

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Re: Rattan?
« Reply #14 on: November 03, 2011, 07:16:01 pm »
Yes, there are several stores that you can order it, but that's here in Germany. Don't know about the US.
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Frank from Germany...
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