Hornbow question

[Boro]

Could a hornbow be made using deer horn (it is not a horn really) if straight enough could be found?
Boro

[Pat B]

Boro, Native Americans did make elk antler bows(sinew backed) but I believe they were mostly ceremonial. I believe some of the Arctic tribes made bows using caribou antlers with sinew cables for backings.  With all the work involved I believe I would opt for real horn and not antler. Others may have different ideas about this.         Pat

ps. Welcome to Primitive Archer!!!

[Hillbilly]

Jim Hamm and Reginald Laubin both have written about making elk antler bows, and if I remember correctly, both seem to agree that they're a pain in the butt to make and don't really perform all that well when you get them made.

[Mechslasher]

i'm sure robustus has made one.  he's the one to ask.

[JackCrafty]

I've never made one.....but the ones I've seen are more sinew than horn.  Maybe 80% sinew?

To answer your question, yes, I think it would work.  And who says you need to make a full sized bow?  Try a miniature...maybe 16" long with 8" draw length?

Just like any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.....I think any bow will work with enough sinew on the back.

[james parker]

actaully  fellows ,you have to make several of the antler bows to get the hang of them,my first three were totally wack,a waste of a lot of good sinew and elk antler.basically  i soaked the antlers for two weeks.after cutting out the limbs,they will be very soft and supple,you can almost bend them  to a knott.after getting  the bends in the limbs i added a thin hickory core then sinew .they have to be a little larger in size than most composites, the last two i made came out really nice,shot good,the physical weight was a liitle much though.and you have to baby them a little more than other bows too.their quite much more eidible to varments.the ram horn bows are my favorite of all,a lot more challenge to build.

[Boro]

Well guys, thanks for Your replys, that question poped into my mind becaouse in my country it is a bit hard to find horns and tendons (bowhunting is forbidden here) but antlers are everywhere
I guess I will gather some expirience with selfbows first and than maybe some day
Thanks anyway
Boro

[medicinewheel]

actaully  fellows ,you have to make several of the antler bows to get the hang of them,my first three were totally wack,a waste of a lot of good sinew and elk antler.basically  i soaked the antlers for two weeks.after cutting out the limbs,they will be very soft and supple,you can almost bend them  to a knott.after getting  the bends in the limbs i added a thin hickory core then sinew .they have to be a little larger in size than most composites, the last two i made came out really nice,shot good,the physical weight was a liitle much though.and you have to baby them a little more than other bows too.their quite much more eidible to varments.the ram horn bows are my favorite of all,a lot more challenge to build.

i think BooRoo (and i) would not mind if you posted some (extremly detailed) pictures of these bows!!! 
frank

[Boro]

I concure heh heh