New bow started(again, 1/4/2022){ and again 8/10/22}

[Pat B]

This will be my version of an ancient 7000 year old Hjarno bow found in fjord in Denmark. I got a nice rock elm stave from Bow Ed that is a perfect fit for this bow. Thanks Ed. Mark(Mad Max) posted a drawing with the dimensions. This is basically what I'm following. Here's a few early pics...





...and here is the drawing of the bow...

[stuckinthemud]

Really interested in this one Pat, thanks for posting

[Aksel]

Interesting! Are you following the drawings or will you make it longer? If you stick to the dimensions, I am curious to hear if the handle will be stiff or not...

[Pat B]

Aksel, the stave is 65.5" long and I'm using it end to end. The working sections of the limbs will have sinew added and through the handle. Like most of the bows I build the working limbs will work right up to the handle or slightly into the handle. This won't be historically accurate but I'm using the drawing as a guild line.

[stuckinthemud]

Is there any indication the original was sinewed?

[Aksel]

Stuckinthemud: There is no evidence of any sinewed west European bows as far as I know.

Pat: Nice project, looking forward to see how it goes!

[Pat B]

Stick, the climate of western Europe probably wouldn't be appropriate for sinew backed bows. Sinew backed bows are more a product of arid countries or areas.
 Ever since I first saw the  Holmgaard and Molli style bows I thought it would be cool to use sinew on the working limbs. I've seen a few here on PA in the last year or so so I thought I'd try it. Kind a crossing of cultures and time.

[stuckinthemud]

It’s one of the bees in my bonnet.  Eastern Mediterranean cultures used sinew backed bows 1000s of years before Christ, so why wouldn’t Western Europeans?  Protecting sinew with bark is a very ancient technique and the advantages of sinew might encourage some experimentation.  In later periods sinewed crossbows were used across the length and breadth of the continent so the unsuitable climate argument is one I struggle with. 

It is a really cool project though and I am looking forward to seeing how it goes

[bradsmith2010]

wow thats gonna be nice,, 

[superdav95]

Nice project pat.  That looks like a great design.    I’ll be watching this!

[Pat B]

Stuck, I appreciate that bee in your bonnet and thank you for the historic info. I stand corrected.
 I'm doing a little each day. Yesterday I got to an early floor tiller stage and will head back down to the shop this morning. We've had rain for the last 15 days, anywhere from .01" to yesterday's 4.06" so our humidity level is through the roof. Even though the shop has a dehumidifier I'm concerned about the M/C of the stave so I don't want to strain it too much now plus after an hour in the shop yesterday I was soaked to the bone with sweat. I'm really anticipating fall and winter these days.
 More updates later.

[Pat B]

First straightening to get things basically aligned. I'm sure there will be more.

[stuckinthemud]

Going to enjoy this, thanks for posting

[bambule]

The design looks like a möllegabet-stylish bow.
Wide limbs with needle-tips.
Very nice - also my standard-design for wooden bows with straight limbs.
Also going to enjoy this - I like to see how you interpretation of this kind of design will work.

Greetz
Cord

[Pat B]

The initial straightening went well plus I added a little bit of back set.
More to come...






Cord, the Molle, the Holme and this bow are similar styles from the same region of the world.