Author Topic: Hop Hornbeam Longbow for 30" draw Dimensions Wanted ???  (Read 2010 times)

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Offline barebo

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Hop Hornbeam Longbow for 30" draw Dimensions Wanted ???
« on: April 05, 2011, 08:08:10 pm »
A rather tall fellow at work is asking me to make him a longbow, and he draws a true 30".  I have a suitable HHB stave and am thinking that 72" ntn should do it. 1-1/2" or 1-3/4" limb width - flat belly ??? Keep the width for most of the limb then taper to narrow nocks, or use a straight taper from the fades?? I know that there are options here, but I'm going for durability / shootability.
I welcome any and all advice and suggestions - Thanks, Mark

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: Hop Hornbeam Longbow for 30" draw Dimensions Wanted ???
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2011, 08:46:10 pm »
I would say that 72"  nock to nock would definitely do it but I would go 74" just cause. As long as it's 50# or up it should shoot good at that length.
"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Pat B

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Re: Hop Hornbeam Longbow for 30" draw Dimensions Wanted ???
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2011, 01:55:19 am »
I've not built enough HHB bow to make an educated guess but I'd say you are on the right track. I think I'd go 1 1/2 wide and out 6" to 8" then taper to 1/2" tips for now(reduce to 3/8" after tillering)rectangular cross section with a flat belly.  A standard American Longbow!
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC