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Author Topic: How skinny is too skinny  (Read 4140 times)

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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #15 on: July 17, 2012, 06:05:15 pm »
After reading the posts of bows that were in the narrow range, as well as the comments of some people that have extensive experience with osage, I feel a bit more relaxed about this project.  In the past with the 30 or so osage bows I have built I have traditionally run between 1 3/8 and 1 1/2 inch wide at the fades and much shorter limbs with sinew backing.  I am flat sick to death of sinewing and I'm not all that sure it's worth the effort.  (how's that for a fire-starter statement???)   

Thanks for the boosts of confidence, folks.
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Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #16 on: July 17, 2012, 06:32:12 pm »
With nice 'sage I think 1.25 inches at the fades should be fine.

I think even with crappy osage, 1 1/2" at fades is ussually fine.
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"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 rossfactor

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Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #17 on: July 17, 2012, 06:58:30 pm »
I agree.

Gabe
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Humboldt County CA.

Offline iowabow

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Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #18 on: July 17, 2012, 07:36:38 pm »
Pm sent
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(:::.) The ABO path is a new frontier to the past!

Offline SLIMBOB

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  • Deplorable Slim
Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #19 on: July 17, 2012, 08:15:55 pm »
JW.  I don't believe you are "riding the very edge of things" at those dimensions.  Quite the contrary, I would say you are solidly between the yellow lines.  If the wood is sound, 1.25" to 1.5" is what I typically shoot for, stiff handle and all, and I feel I over build my bows.
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Offline George Tsoukalas

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    • Traditional and Primitive Archers
Re: How skinny is too skinny
« Reply #20 on: July 17, 2012, 08:52:55 pm »
Made a 50# osage bow from a sucker that was a little over an inch wide with sapwood and heartwood on the belly and sapwood on the back. I gave it away but i think it had 3 in of reflex after starting with 5 in. It bent in the handle. Good bow. Fast. Jawge
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If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!
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