Main Discussion Area > Horn Bows
Do you need to have a sinew back?
loefflerchuck:
Yes you can build a horn bow with no sinew but it will not shoot as well as a all wood bow. Horn is heavier than wood and without the sinew backing you cannot strain the bow past what you could do with just wood.
mikekeswick:
What percentage does bamboo stretch before failure?
Personally I would see it as a waste of time making a composite with a bamboo back/horn belly. You just won't be able to strain the horn enough.
PatM:
It doesn't matter if the bamboo stretches or not as long as the horn can take all the compression.
james parker:
the original ? was
When it comes to making horn bows, do you always need to have a sinew back? Would a bow that has a horn belly, but a wood core and back be considered a true horn bow? I've been thinking actually of doing a Turkish style bow with a horn belly, hickory core and rawhide backing
DA
my reply:
sinew is a must have component, rawhide will not do the trick ,a bow made that way will take a lot of set, shoot sluggish,
to be a true hornbow, composite,, has the sinew,, historically -- bamboo has been substituted for belly horn.
but ,, I only know from what I have read and my own personal experiences,,, if you do succeed at building a bow the way you are attempting, and it works for you,,,,,please let me know,, you can post it on the regular bows thread page,,,, James,,
I can assure you ,that bamboo cannot,and will not come anywhere close to the limits of sinew,, -(ever)
bamboo was not part of the backing equation in the original post
IndianGuy:
I'm no expert..BUT...I've made many sheep horn bows, elk antler bows, bison horn bows,water buffalo horn bows and James and chuck are correct.
The weight of the bow with horn and without sinew will be not very good to shoot, you need the combination of sinew and hide glue...Do Not use wood glue....and did I mention do not use wood glue?...I can see where the bamboo combo might work but I do not have any experience with that.
Lololol
Good luck.
E
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