Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: kid bow on December 16, 2015, 10:27:04 am

Title: need some help.
Post by: kid bow on December 16, 2015, 10:27:04 am

ok sooooo ive been wanting to make a horn bow for a very long time but ive not had the skill, time, or knowledge of where to get the resources. I'm really looking to invest the time into it because I really want to use it for hunting next year. my questions are

where do I start to even get horn for the belly of the bow?
what do I glue it together with? hide glue? epoxy?
any advice for sinew backing? it would be my first time sinew backing a bow.
how many layers would it take to fully sinew back a bow?
what would be the best wood to use for the core?
 
I also realize this will take a very long time and I really mean to put the time into doing it right. no matter what. I really appreciate the help and any advice..... no matter how brutally honest it may be.

thanks all and merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: PatM on December 16, 2015, 10:33:00 am

Don't do it. Make all the intermediate bows leading up to that first.

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: kid bow on December 16, 2015, 11:15:32 am

well ive made a few different bows. recurved and all but I really want to try to make one.

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 16, 2015, 11:24:35 am

Take Pats advice. This isn't meant as offensive, but if you have to ask those questions you are not ready to build one. There are many great, affordable books as well. Read a few of those while you build a simple sinew backed osage bow.

Merry Christmas to you as well young man.

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: kid bow on December 16, 2015, 12:08:02 pm

Alrighty then. But can anyone answer the questions?

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 16, 2015, 12:10:08 pm

Horn comes from water buffalo most often, hide glue, no less than 3, maple/yew/juniper.

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: JoJoDapyro on December 16, 2015, 12:41:05 pm

Sinew is a tough one. I have done two sinew backed bows, and it is more difficult than I would have imagined. Go slow, read a lot. Ask tons of questions. Most of all have fun. I would love to make one of these too, but it is out of my league at this point.

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: kid bow on December 16, 2015, 03:04:47 pm

I always come here to ask questions. You all know way more than me

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: wizardgoat on December 16, 2015, 03:05:30 pm

Make a few short sinew backed bows first.  Asiatic composites are the most complicated bows to build, you need to cover a few bases first, or you will regret it.
I'd like to build one one day as well, I'm starting on a couple North American style horn bows first, just horn and sinew, no wood core. Next I'll try a spliced lever bow with a sinew backing, than maybe I'll have the confidence to attempt an Asiatic style horn bow

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: sieddy on December 16, 2015, 04:38:09 pm

Check out Wizardgoats build (help) along in the horn bow section of this site. If that doesnt put you off (given the sheer labour, patience and skill required!) i'll really look forward to seeing your work docmented on here? :-)

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: bubby on December 16, 2015, 07:33:02 pm

Patm has a great how to sinew at the top of the page and pearls has a great sinew static build in the how toos

Title: Re: need some help.
Post by: bubby on December 16, 2015, 07:35:09 pm

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,31738.0.html
Here is pearls build