Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: galew on September 14, 2008, 11:41:09 pm

Title: Horn Bow question
Post by: galew on September 14, 2008, 11:41:09 pm

I have built a couple self bows years ago, I now want to try a horn bow.
As the horn is used for compression only, (Horn belly on composite) I, being I do not have any long horns, was wondering why I could not use the horn in strips (Like laying a hardwood floor )
I would think it would work but after reviewing several books and many forums I have never seen any reference to having any use of strips of anything except sinew on a bow.
Does anyone have any ideas on this?

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: welch2 on September 15, 2008, 12:06:49 am

Some of the Turkish bows were built that way . You will probably need to make very tight butt joints ,no gaps anywhere.

Ralph

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: burn em up chuck on September 15, 2008, 01:19:09 am

check out "BOWS & ARROWS of the NATIVE AMERICANS" by JIM HAMM. the bow on the cover is made with 4 pieces of buffalo horn on the belly. thats the only reference i have, i know thats not exactly what you ask for,but it's a start. hope it helped somehow. good luke.

                                                                                                      chuck

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: dskittle on September 18, 2008, 10:26:58 pm

look on http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-composite_bow.html good luck

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: mullet on September 18, 2008, 10:42:33 pm

  Maybe James Parker will see this. He has made several horn bows.

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: Justin Snyder on September 18, 2008, 11:35:27 pm

What Ralph said, no fancy joints, just butt them up tight to each other. Justin

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: JackCrafty on September 19, 2008, 05:02:18 pm

Seems to me the horn bow would need to be completely wrapped with sinew to make sure the horn strips do not "pop" off the belly.  I think Jim Hamm made a bow using short strips of buffalo horn...so it definitely can be done.

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: Bowbound on September 19, 2008, 05:06:45 pm

Do you mean like putting on bricks or like separate full width bits placed along the limb?

Hope this makes sense

Title: Re: Horn Bow question
Post by: Far East Archer on September 20, 2008, 02:37:06 am

Hmm that is very interesting idea.
Really cool if it works. Which it does yes?

I may try this out, I suppose the joint cannot be in a high bending area or does not it matter?
If so, I think I have some pieces that may work for this.

Alex