Cable-backed bow

[Cardboard_Duck]

Thanks for the links! Those are some nice bows! I think I have a piece of hickory that will work, but I'll have to start collecting some sinew I guess

[Deech]

I want to try making one out of Osage but I'm not exactly experianced.. So I'll probably start with spruce or yellow cedar since they're local to Alaska so that's what they might have used

[Deech]

Here's a pic of a bow from a museum and a replica

[Cardboard_Duck]

I am really liking that sugpiaq design and how the dimensions are based on the person it is for. I have a couple of other bows in progress right now, but when I am done I think this is going to be my next project.

[Cardboard_Duck]

The inupiaq(or the incorrect name Inuit) were not the only Eskimos, there also the sugpiaq(on the pacific coast of AK) and the Yupik(Yukon kuskokwim delta), anyway here is a sugpiaq bow design, and artificial sinew I hear isn't very good for cordage bows

On 9. The illustration looks like the back of the bow is the center of the stave and the belly is the outside of the stave??? Is that correct or drawn backwards?

[Deech]

That's right that's the way the grains were on the museum one I think

[Deech]

The really strange part is they shot the bow underhand with the first three fingers curling and the pinky and thumb behind the handle. And some would rest their middle finger very lightly on the arrow

[Prignitzer bowman]

Hope I am not treading on anyones toes here. Found this video on youtube and as I like the wood and think alot of cable backed bows well take a look if you haven't seen it already and I hope the guy doesn't mind me posting this here. I think it is something I am going to have to try when I am good enough.

Peter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLVx3tm10GQ

[Deech]

I'm starting this with a spruce limb but its a bit crooked any advice ill post pics later

[Thesquirrelslinger]

Every single bow I have made from ERC has been a cable back. ranging from 20-40 pounds, there are 6 of them. I tried one a few weeks ago, had 7staves. broke 1. Gigantic knot- nearly 2 inches wide!
Anyway, I like nylon cause it cheap and work good.

[Deech]

I'm gonna use caribou sinew for the cable backing

[gpw]

   The trick to using artificial sinew for a cable is to Pre-STRETCH the  A/S...  or provide a way to tighten it up as you use it ...   

[Deech]

I've read up on it an real sinew seems the best choice and caribou has good qualities for it

[Deech]

There's another bow my people used I don't have a diagram but here's a pic

Here's a link for who brought our bow back to us
http://northernwildernesskills.blogspot.com/2012/04/alutiiq-bows.html?m=1