Boo selfbow, boo strip perry reflex, 1/2" set. All for a 2 year old!

[MattZA]

A mate of mine jokingly suggested I build her daughter a bow for her 2nd birthday. I had half an hour to spare today, so gave it a whirl.

Here are the stats and photo link of the beast:
27" tip to tip
1/2" width at the handle
1/4" at the tips
A monstrous 2#@9" draw
1 1/2" of unstrung reflex
1" of reflex immediately after unbracing
Bamboo body with a small bamboo strip as a partial backing.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/unuEaYJc3SmPGxJ46

It's still got some tillering to do, and needs it's war paint (pink and silver glitter, purple felt handle).

If nothing else, it's a laugh!

[Pat B]

Excellent!  Way to pass it on. 

[MattZA]

Now I just need to come up with something to use as arrows! I haven't got any dowels thin enough.

I reckon at a final draw weight of 4# at 10", I probably don't need to worry about arrow spine being perfect 

On a serious note though, it's my first time ever working with bamboo. Its brilliant! Definitely going on my next (adult) bow.

[Pat B]

Bamboo skewers from the grocery store.

[ntvbowyer1969]

I made a osage self bow for my two year old son. I used small dowel rods from a furniture store. Homedepot or Lowes prob have them also. I used rubber caps on the ends. The dowel ended up shooting through the dowel and into a door i later found out. wicked little bow...lol It is awesome you did this. His bow was 9lbs @ 10".[/img]

[Knoll]

Too cool. Congrats!

[MattZA]

Thanks all.

I would give it a bit more power, but I don't have the bamboo. It's also not likely that it's ever going to be much more than ornamental.

Nonetheless it's been great to experiment with bamboo. Does anyone use it much?

[upstatenybowyer]

 

[bjrogg]

Nice Matt. Like NTV said, these little light weight bows can be a lot of fun. They can also be good learning experience. If you scale down the length, you really need to get everything bending right to make them work. Any reason to make a bow is a good one. Can't think of a better one than for a young child.
Bjrogg