5 curve? double curve? Any one made one?

[JWMALONE]

Hello guys, cant find much info on double curves, Like the natives in the south west built. Or the southern India type long bow.
Would really like to jump on that, ive read it was for experts only, but I got brand new work boots that need breaking in. Any one ever built one? Or know were I can find a build along?

[burchett.donald]

JW,
      There's been a bunch of 5 curves on here...The search function isn't good though...Here's a link http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=41229.0
      Maybe some fellas will chime in...
                                                           Don

[JWMALONE]

Thanks Don. Maybe ill wait until I have a stave? Was thinking about thin lams, might be to easy. LOL

[PatM]

More of an entire West style.

[burchett.donald]

 JW,
           Would love to see you steam in a few bends on a piece of Carolina Hickory or a piece of Sage...
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                Don

[JWMALONE]

Pat, i was looking at some from the south west, but west coast in general is a better discription.

Don, Got a small hickory that needs to be cut off the fence line, gonna wait till later in the spring or summer.

[upstatenybowyer]

I made a 5 curve fairly recently out of osage with a sinew back. I was just getting ready to post it when... bang! Just as I was taking the FD pic. A word of warning, my design was way too adventurous. The curves were too extreme, especially in the handle. If I were to attempt one again, I'd go with much gentler curves and make it plenty wide. Just my thoughts

[JWMALONE]

Thanks for the warning Upstate, sounds like good advice.

[Badger]

  The five curve wants to bend in that first curve off the handle, good to allow for that to do the bulk of the work right from the beginning, make the inner limb plenty wide. I think to really take advantage of the design the outer limbs would be best if thick and rounded similar to an elb and have a slight flex through the handle.

[JWMALONE]

Thanks Badger, I'm gonna wright all this down so I don't have to look it up later. I believe I will wait and use the hickory stave I'm going to cut. Its perfectly straight, no limbs on the first 8 feet or so. The circumference is 13 inches so about 4 inches in diameter. Don't know if that's big enough, if not ill make a sapling bow from it and source a more suitable stave for the 5 curve.

[upstatenybowyer]

Man, I'm kicking myself for not asking for advice prior to making that last one. I definitely made the inners too narrow. Thanks Steve!

[JWMALONE]

Ole timers are great aint they. They were our version of the internet when I grew up. LOL

[Pat B]

John, how long of a bow do you want to make?

[PatM]

 The double curve is typically a narrow bow though. As is the South Indian bow, although it is much longer.

[JWMALONE]

Have no idea what size, was thinking a longer bow like the southern India ive seen. It will be awhile so plenty of time for research.