What makes a bow Primitive?

[The Zen Master]

What, exactly, makes a bow a "Primitive Bow"?

I ask this because many of the bows I see here could never be produced, with primitive resources or tools.

[PatM]

Don't worry about it. 

 Many of the bows on here could actually be made with primitive tools and lots of time.

[ksnow]

There used to be surveys in Primitive Archer magazine on this very question.

[Deerhunter21]

that depends on your opinion of primitive.

[Ricardovanleeuwen]

In my point of view a REAL primitive bow is one made with only hand tools and no use of synthetisterials such as shelac, pva glue, dacron, ect.

[dylanholderman]

In my point of view a REAL primitive bow is one made with only hand tools and no use of synthetisterials such as shelac, pva glue, dacron, ect.

I agree with your definition, but a minor issue or critique?

Shellac is actually a natural product and has been in use in India for 3000+ years

[RyanY]

In my point of view a REAL primitive bow is one made with only hand tools and no use of synthetisterials such as shelac, pva glue, dacron, ect.

Even this definition could be criticized if not using stone tools and techniques to gather the materials.

If you make a high performance recurve using all primitive tools and techniques, is it still primitive? For the sake of this forum I think a more broad and loose definition of all wood bows or even self bows is helpful and inclusive.

[wstanley]

I use no power tools and no more than an axe, wood file, and sand paper. I often grab a sharp flake when I'm working my bows. I work them green, as I think most prehistoric Northern Native Americans did. All my arrows I make with obsidian, including the foreshaft hole I drill out and knocks. That includes cutting the plant to begin with. Could I use a serrated knife, sure but what fun is that? Grab my little serrated obsidian flake and i'll have that puppy cut in 20 seconds. This is what I like though, and that's why I do it. I don't NEED to be primitive but I enjoy the challenge of learning that process. That takes nothing away from those who use power tools, just want to make that clear.

I steam reflex all my bows (semi-green), no heat guns or anything. I don't own a whatcha m'a call it "bow horse" or whatever. I like simplicity and don't have the room quite honest for a plethora of tools. Never used a draw knife! I do own one though that my friend gave me.
 

I really don't think it took them much longer than we take to make our bows.  Maybe not the sheephorn/sinew bows of the Rocky Mountains (thats just plain time consuming primitive or not). The ingenuity and skill with their tools would have been interesting to see.

Nothing against those who use power tools, we live in a modern world, but the word Primitive on this website (at times) could use a small little asterisk next to it. Oh boy I hope I'm not offending anyone! I enjoy looking at all the different bow types on this website and I think that diversity is great.

 

[bjrogg]

As far as a REAL Primitive Bow. That would be one that was made in centuries past. Most are either in museums or rotting in the ground.

Anything else is a recreation no matter how you make it.

Bjrogg

[HH~]

So a bow with a shelf is as primitive as any other made with a bandsaw and steel I reckon. Good to know.

HH~

[Hawkdancer]

I agree with BJ, we are re-creating bows of the past.  Since none of us has a "time machine" to take us back however far, we use the materials and equipment we have available or choose.  Look how quickly the eastern Natives adopted firearms when they became available.  The use of natural materials for the bow and the copying of a design of the past.  Most of us don't know how to make cordage and very likely much of the thread used to make strings was done on a spinning wheel.  Have fun, for most of us it is a hobby
Hawkdancer

[Handforged]

In the day and age of computer everything, online shopping and everything else. I would think any bow not made with CNC machines aluminum and carbon fiber would be considered primitive. If it's one piece of wood? prehistoric....

The argument of what is more primitive in 2020 is futile at best. Does something made with primitive tools make it more primitive? I don't think it does. Does it really matter how you arrive at the same place as long as you get there?  I often find these discussions hilarious. "Who's techniques are more primitive?" Who cares. Unless you live in a cave without electricity, no vehicle or modern convenience it's all hypocrisy anyway. If you do, how would you know this discussion was going on?

[PatM]

I would say the bows made by current basically stone age tribes count as primitive, even if  rudimentary metal tools  may be used.

 The Sentinel Island  people for example.

[The Zen Master]

I use no power tools and no more than an axe, wood file, and sand paper. I often grab a sharp flake when I'm working my bows. I work them green, as I think most prehistoric Northern Native Americans did. All my arrows I make with obsidian, including the foreshaft hole I drill out and knocks. That includes cutting the plant to begin with. Could I use a serrated knife, sure but what fun is that? Grab my little serrated obsidian flake and i'll have that puppy cut in 20 seconds. This is what I like though, and that's why I do it. I don't NEED to be primitive but I enjoy the challenge of learning that process. That takes nothing away from those who use power tools, just want to make that clear.

I steam reflex all my bows (semi-green), no heat guns or anything. I don't own a whatcha m'a call it "bow horse" or whatever. I like simplicity and don't have the room quite honest for a plethora of tools. Never used a draw knife! I do own one though that my friend gave me.
 

I really don't think it took them much longer than we take to make our bows.  Maybe not the sheephorn/sinew bows of the Rocky Mountains (thats just plain time consuming primitive or not). The ingenuity and skill with their tools would have been interesting to see.

Nothing against those who use power tools, we live in a modern world, but the word Primitive on this website (at times) could use a small little asterisk next to it. Oh boy I hope I'm not offending anyone! I enjoy looking at all the different bow types on this website and I think that diversity is great.

Now THAT is what I am talking about.

[bjrogg]

So a bow with a shelf is as primitive as any other made with a bandsaw and steel I reckon. Good to know.

HH~

The way I see it Shawn. Unless of course it was made several centuries ago. Then it might be more primitive.
Bjrogg

PS Now if you ask me if you get a different type of bow with hand tools. That would be a different question. I do use mostly hand tools only because I like them and find they fit a bowyer very well.