short osage advice.

[Dazv]

hi all

I'm making a short Osage kids bow with a 10lb max draw weight. I can make a bow which is about an inch wide and 38 inches long. so here is my question, what is the max SAFE draw i can get out of this in a straight bend in the handle design? Also is there a design where i could get a longer draw(deflex reflex, recurves etc). Thanks so much for all advice will be very much appreciated. Im thinking about putting a rawhide backing if that makes any difference.

Darren

[JW_Halverson]

If it bends thru the handle you can safely get half the nock to nock length is draw.  Since you nocks are backed off from the tips a little bit, you are looking at 37", so you are looking at 16.5 inches of safe draw.

[Dazv]

Thank you very much for the reply. Would a different design help me get a couple more inches of safe draw??? Thank you very much

Darren

[gstoneberg]

No, I think that the bendy handle design is your best bet.  If you follow a growth ring and there are no bad knots I would not back it with rawhide. You can pull osage further than 50% of its length, but you're likely to induce set. Sinew is the only backing I can think of that might do what you want and I would also flip the tips while I was at it.  It's a lot easier to make a longer bow though...

George

[Dazv]

thanks for the advice guys it is very much appreciated.

[Gus]

Yes Sir,

My oldest Son's bow is a 39" ntn Osage flatbow drawing 34# at 17" at present.
Need to take about 20 pounds off it yet, but it has been too much fun for... err... dad to shoot... 



-gus

[Dazv]

hahaha osage is some crazy stuff.

[JW_Halverson]

You can always put it on the board stretcher and add a few extra inches!   

[Dazv]

Hahaha I might just give that a go.

[blackhawk]

Sure ya can..i dont think youll get a whole lot of set with only ten pounds...i know the R/D bend thru the handle mollys i make would take that just fine...but its not an easy build