A short, juniper stave: What to build?

[WhistlingBadger]

Hi, all.  Haven't been posting lately because my work computer won't let me.  Something to do with an out-of-date security doohickey or something like that.  Sure wish the powers would fix that...

Anyway, I have a really pretty stave of juniper heartwood, only a few pin knots, almost chased to one ring.  Trouble is, it's only 43" long and about 1.5" wide, with a high crown.   I really want to try making something out of it.  I'll heavily back it with sinew, of course, probably five layers.  What would you make of this bow?  What kind of draw weight/length should I go for?

I'm thinking maybe a d-bow, 40 pounds or so at 25"?  Is that even realistic?

[Aksel]

Juniper is amazing. I believe some american indian tribes rated it higher than yew. How about a west coast paddle bow, sinew backed?

[TimBo]

I would look up some of Half Eye's short bows for inspiration.  For example: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,64206.0.html
I know he posted shorter ones as well. 

[TimBo]

Or, even better lengthwise:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,56861.msg780096.html#msg780096

[TimBo]

Of course, those are osage, and don't look like they have high crowns like your juniper stave.

[WhistlingBadger]

Aksel, I'd love to make a juniper/sinew paddle bow, but I think this is too narrow.  Timbo, I'll look into those ideas--thanks!

T

[bradsmith2010]

its pretty much already made,, just get it to bend narrow the handle slightly,, sinew back it,, of course narrow the tips,,

[JW_Halverson]

How about a bendy handle sinew backed bow?

[bradsmith2010]

yes

[ssrhythm]

Please keep us posted on this build.  I would love to see a thread with the full build of a sinew backed juniper bow starting with removal of the bark, so if someone can post a link, that would be awesome!

[uwe]

Hi,
I`d like to make a Hupa bow of this. There is a fine video on You Tube.
Regards Uwe

[WhistlingBadger]

Please keep us posted on this build.  I would love to see a thread with the full build of a sinew backed juniper bow starting with removal of the bark, so if someone can post a link, that would be awesome!

It's a little too late for that I'm afraid!  Chuck Loeffer has a great series of videos...I'll see if I can find them.

I basically just smoothed it out, narrowed the tips and handle a bit, and scraped on it until it started to bend a bit.  Now I'm waiting for the weather to warm up enough to sinew back it.  Trying to kind of let it be what it wants to be instead of what I want to make it.  Might turn out to be a nice kids' bow...we'll see.

Uwe, this stave isn't wide enough for a Hupa, but I've been working another stave that might be.  Stay tuned.

[WhistlingBadger]

ssrhythm, here are Chuck's vids.  REALLY good stuff here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_NyArp2rDE

[bjrogg]

ssrhythm, here are Chuck's vids.  REALLY good stuff here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_NyArp2rDE

Thanks for posting the link WB

And thanks for doing the video Chuck. A picture is worth a thousand words but those videos are worth a million pictures.

Bjrogg

[ssrhythm]

Yup, thanks dood.