Lets see some Comanche style bows or Comanche inspired bows

[bradsmith2010]

i have to go home and take a pic but will definitely post,,

[bradsmith2010]

full draw that was 20 inches

[bradsmith2010]

osage

[bradsmith2010]

Mickey Miller bow from Texas

[Hamish]

Sweet bows Brad. Do you hunt with them?

[bradsmith2010]

yes but 52 inches is about as  short as I go,, Im  trying to learn to shoot the shorter ones too,,

[bownarra]

Good luck!

[bradsmith2010]

killed quute a few deer with the 54 inch version,, as they get shorter,, im not so good,, I think if I could shoot a pinch grip it would help, but still learning,
   it does take more skill to shoot the shorter bow, but it takes more still to shoot a wood bow than fiberglass or a compound, Im ok developing the skill,,,,Im not shooting tournaments,,just like to shoot and sometimes hunt,,and know what its like to shoot a bow like the people that were here,,

[bradsmith2010]

can you post pic

[feral]

I have a piece of osage about 46" long. It has been sitting up in my shed for years and fell down and conked me on the head last week. Just after I saw a video on commanche bows. Fate...
So I have never made one this size and I intend to back it with roo sinew, which has become a bit of a fad in pet shops around here.
It is 3/4 at the tips and 1 1/4 in the middle.
 Is this viable?
What sort of thickness do you think I can go?
Also, how much sinew do you need?
Cheers

[bradsmith2010]

yes it will make a bow,,
1000 to 2000 grains of sinew,,
its pretty forgiving,,
when you tiller it will determine the thickness,,
it doesnt take much wood, when you add sinew, you will be surprised,, it will look so small, but can have a high draw weight,, good luck and thats exciting, I love the sinew backed short bows, they are magic,,
  I made some a while back 46 inches long,, at 23 inches of draw getting 180 fps with hunting weight arrow,,
draw was 55 to 60,, arrow weight about 460,, and arrow 23 inches long,,

[feral]

Cheers Brad,
Is it best to tiller first then sinew? The rings on this bit run off diagonally across the cross section so I don't think I will get a good ring to follow, hence the sinew. However I read that Ishi thought following growth rings wasn't as important.
I'm pretty excited about it as I have a stack of short osage scattered around the place that i use to make laminations. Short bows have always interested me. Also I suddenly have a use for all the arrows with broken ends.

[bradsmith2010]

some say tiller to half draw,, I have done it both ways,, I follow Laubin, or Jim Hamm

[bownarra]

   it does take more skill to shoot the shorter bow, but it takes more still to shoot a wood bow than fiberglass or a compound, Im ok developing the skill,,,,Im not shooting tournaments,,just like to shoot and sometimes hunt,,and know what its like to shoot a bow like the people that were here,,
[/quote]

If you want to get to the potential of each I would argue all bows are the same Just the groups will be smaller or the distance greater I might even say that the more technical a 'device' gets the longer it takes to learn.  Shooting a compound really well is probably harder than getting really good with a trad bow.

[organic_archer]

Here you go Brad. I found the photos of my most recent Comanche-inspired bow. It's been living with its forever owner for one year.  I deleted my last post with the link.

48" overall length.
62# at 21" draw.
1.25" wide for most of its length.
A little over 1" reflex at rest.
Rawhide backing.
Buckskin handle wrap.
Stacked leather to build up the handle for comfort.