Horn, Osage and Sinew

[BrokenArrow]

I was planning on making an osage horn bow without ears but with highly recurved tips.
Any thoughts or suggestions on this?
Anyone ever tried this? Results obtained or expected?

[loefflerchuck]

If your making a true composite with lots of reflex and a big overdraw I don't think osage would be best as the wood does not accept glue as well as maple for example. I saw a composite with osage wood once. Wonder how long it lasted. There is probably someone out here who has experience with it.

[bubby]

I'm with chuck maple is a good choice plus it is alot lighter than osage

[BrokenArrow]

In a horn bow if I used maple would I have to follow the ring on the maple or does that matter?

[Pat B]

With sinew on the back and horn on the belly it's not completely necessary to have a perfect core but the better the core is the better the bow will be. After putting lots of hours and lots of hard work into a horn bow it wouldn't be practical to use a crappy piece of wood for a core.

[bubby]

With sinew on the back and horn on the belly it's not completely necessary to have a perfect core but the better the core is the better the bow will be. After putting lots of hours and lots of hard work into a horn bow it wouldn't be practical to use a crappy piece of wood for a core.




BINGO!!! Always use the best materials you can

[BrokenArrow]

All I really can get is osage and as I usually do I use lye soap to get the oil out before sinewing however horn is a first for me.
If I did not have to follow the ring I could get a kiln dried piece of maple but it seems osage might be a better choice for me??

[wizardgoat]

A guy named Brian Persico has made a few Osage horn sinew bows. Look him up cheers

[bubby]

I use quartersawn maple from the hardwoods mill