How does this sound?

[Shiloh]

Well, I've been so busy making bows for other people that I haven't had a chance to dig into my own projects for a little while, haha. But I've settled into a bit of a lull and so decided to give this another shot. I've done some thinking, and I've come up with a premise of what I'm trying to do with my next ELB/EWB build:

-72" to 76" long ttt
-70# @ 29" (just a little under what my "warbow" draw is)
-Maybe(?) horn knocks, or just tip overlays if I can't get that to work.

And here's the potential designs I'm thinking of:

1) The Home Depot Warbow
-Red oak belly, strip of good maple ripped to 3/16" or 1/4" thick
-Rawhide backing, for insurance.

2) A Little More Exotic
-Ipe, African Paduak, or Bubinga belly
-Maple backing, same dimensions as above.
-Rawhide backing.
-Maybe a little longer length (78"?)

So what do you guys think?

[Ian.]

Can I vote,

 3) Ipe/Maple no rawhide back (as it's not really needed) 74" aim for 100lb just because!

[Shiloh]

Can I vote,

 3) Ipe/Maple no rawhide back (as it's not really needed) 74" aim for 100lb just because!

100#?!    I was hoping for a bow, not a hernia.

  Just messin' with you.

[DarkSoul]

2) A Little More Exotic
-Maple backing, same dimensions as above.
-Rawhide backing.

A bow can have only one backing. In your description, the maple would be the core.


With "only"  70#@29", your options are quite broad. It could even be a selfbow boardbow of maple or oak at 72-74" NTN. Maple backed oak is also fine. Maple backed ipé would be best, from your selection of woods.
Don't use padauk in bows. It's not elastic enough. Maybe, just maybe as a core, but it would be safest to not use it at all.

[Shiloh]

Derp, just noticed the "backing" thing I did. Thanks for pointing that out.

I'll probably pay a visit to the lumberyard today or tomorrow to see what they've got and make a decision from there, but any more advice you guys could give me would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!