spliced bendy handle?

[dylanholderman]

hey so i like a bendy handle bow simply for aesthetic reasons  but i had a idea for some shorter pieces of osage and possibly compression pine, that if i could splice them together and then have a solid backing of bamboo/hickory/maple then i could still make one with a bendy handle. will this work or am i missing something? 

[PatM]

People claim success with just unbacked billets in this configuration so you should be OK with a backing.

[Pat B]

I've made plenty of hickory an boo backed bows with the belly spliced at the handle and most of my bows bend to or through the handle. I like to feel a slight bend as I hit full draw.

[mikekeswick]

Me too. I've just finished up an elb with a  spliced belly. A v-splice is the best for anything that is going to bend.

[DC]

I've been wondering if a layer of flax/linen just in the handle area would be a help. Maybe 10-12" long. I was thinking of doing the same with sinew but it might stretch to much to be of any use in this situation. I've got a couple of spliced-up staves waiting for me to work up the balls to tiller.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Keep in mind a bendy handle generally doesn't mean the handle bends the same as the limbs in a complete "c" shape, it just has to give a bit to serve its purpose. And, quality epoxy is much stronger than the wood. If the joint is well made and tight, there is no reason for it to blow.

[WillS]

People have made bows up to 160lb bows with spliced handles and no backing that bend full compass through the handle.  7" z-splice is used for those, so you'll be fine.

[dylanholderman]

cool    thanks so much everyone this opens up a lot more options for me

[Pat B]

A good strong handle wrap, like hemp cordage will give you a little more confidence. I found that out by experimentation and experience.