Question about Sioux bows

[PeteC]

Hey fellas ,I am building a Sioux bow similar to the bow C on page 27 ,and both examples on page 31 of the Ency.of Native American Bows ,Arrows, and Quivers. The example I am copying is from a 40" osage bow. All of the examples I have seen have a reduced width in the mid limb section for a 3" to 4" handle. The handle itself is 1" wide abruptly widening to 1 1/4" limbs. My questions are : for such a short bow ,not backed, as the S. Dakota example was not backed, what would be a reasonable max. draw lenght,and weight for this bow?( I know that by using the "twice the draw plus 10% method" ,would be less than 19").    Also, with so little room for your hand to grip this bow,I assume it was shot off the knuckle on the widest part of the limb? It seems that had they built these bows with a longer handle section, they could have shot around less wood. Any advice would be welcome  . Thanks    God Bless

[uwe]

Hi Pete,
As I`ve read somewhere and I`ve even learnt by my own experiences a 40 pound drawweight is far enough and just possible to shoot. Half the bowlength for draw is possible if well tillered. But Osage is very tough and even forgiving. But always remember: even Osage can quit the job.
I have made one of 50" length with about 60 pounds. The shorter the more stacks the bow and you willl feel it on your fingers. Which shooting style is even important effecting pain on your fingers.
Regards uwe

[bassman211]

Don't know the book bow that you speak of, but have made quite a few Osage plains bows. You should be able to get 19 inches at 40lbs. I have a 38 inch sinew backed Osage plains bow that is widest at the grip. At 1 and a quarter inches that pulls 21 at 44 lbs. I also have a 42inch Osage self bow  that pulls 19 at 42lbs. Some of my newer Osage plains self bows  are 1 inch wide at the grip with straight taper to three eighths at the tips. They are 50 inches long, and will pull to 24 to 25 inches at 35 to 40 lbs. They are close to my draw length, and are more fun for me to shoot. They also have slight cut out shelves, and string nocks.

[loefflerchuck]

I think the best tiller for these bows is bending throughout with the double curve just flattening out at full draw. You could get 20” plus of draw. Depending how much you want to push it. Or make it a worthy buffalo horse bow with a 80# draw at 18”.

[PeteC]

Thank you fellas for the responses . They were all beneficial. I am well along and on tiller at 14”. I am just beginning to get the handle bending , and will probably not exceed 19”. I have the brace height at 3 1/4”, and it is looking very good. Thanks again for sharing, I appreciate it much. God  less,and Happy Thanksgiving.

[PeteC]

I also want to note this is my first plains bow. I have built bows for all my children ,their spouses, and my grandkids. They all turned out great,and shoot very well, but I designed each of these.They are much more narrow,and can handle a pretty wide spine range.  For you who have built the plains bows, how did you get good arrow flight, with such wide limbs and a low brace height? Thanks again,  God Bless

[uwe]

"The Enzyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows and Quivers" Volume 1 does not show bows on page 27. Only Algonkian arrows and on page 32 is only 1 bow of the Mohegan tribe.
Did you make a mistake?
Regards Uwe

[PeteC]

I'm sorry. it is volume 2 that I'm referring to.

[uwe]

Now we have to clear which page, becuse Vol. 2 starts with page 136- 223.
Regards Uwe

[PeteC]

The pages in my copy are not marked like that. They are Vol. 2, page 27 ,bow C, then page 31, bow A&B. They all fall under the Sioux ,plains section, spanning 10 pages.     God Bless