Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: luke the drifter on November 25, 2009, 03:48:05 pm

Title: bamboo bows
Post by: luke the drifter on November 25, 2009, 03:48:05 pm

has anyone ever tried a solid bamboo selfbow.  unless one can get it pretty thick and long, would you have to glue up several pieces to to be able to work it into shape?  just curious.

Title: Re: bamboo bows
Post by: Pat B on November 25, 2009, 06:31:10 pm

In the newest issue of Primitive Archer Magazine, there is an article by Dr Ed Ashby about "The Bows ans Arrows of Papua New Guinea". The bows are made from a single piece of bamboo with the outside of the boo the belly of the bow. These bows are very long(twice the archers height) and these hunter are shooting Rusa deer and pigs at 25 yards plus with long arrows(47" to 52" long) with steel heads that weigh between 1670gr and 3953gr.  :o

Title: Re: bamboo bows
Post by: M-P on November 25, 2009, 09:56:23 pm

The archers in Bhutan make bamboo bows.  They over lap two pieces at the handle, so the nodes are symmetrical.  The bows are only ~ man high and the outside of the bamboo is the belly.   Google "Bhutan archery" to find some cool youtube videos.   Those guys have a really strange approach to archery.    Ron

Title: Re: bamboo bows
Post by: Pat B on November 26, 2009, 12:10:17 am

I think you could easily make a hunting weight bow with a strip of bamboo. Do some experimenting and see what you come up with.  ;)