Is this possible?

[Ifrit617]

I am interested in starting a new project and I was wondering if this setup is possible?
 
I wanted to make a short brush bow to hunt rabbits with.

This is what I was thinking....

A 40" n2n linen backed maple or hickory bow with small recurves to reduce string angle.

I want it to be about 40# @ 19"... Is this possible?? I know it would be easy with a sinew backing but I do not have any easy access to sinew..

Your thoughts are welcome.... Thanks.

[Ifrit617]

I wanted a width of about 1.5 inches too.

[profsaffel]

Very possible, as long as tillering is done slow and steady and the hickory has a great grain pattern.

[Pat B]

I would have a bow that short bend through the handle.

[bubby]

Yea it's possible, really just a heavy kid's bow, I would make it a D bow, 19" draw probably dosn't need recurved, just a bendy handle D bow.

[Justin Snyder]

Deflex the handle and you can make it easy.

[Ifrit617]

Would a bend through the handle D bow work with maple ( I have a good piece now)  or should I wait till I get a good piece of hickory?

Also if I recurve the tips would I need to deflex the handle? What is the point of this?

Thanks for all your help.

[Alpinbogen]

A working handle, full C-tiller bow should work out fine for you.  I'm not a fan of maple, though, and would strongly prefer hickory.

[half eye]

Ifrit,
    I posted some pretty small bows here two of which were rigid handled Mollegabets and one was a stiff tipped "D" bow. All were made of elm (probably closer to the hickory than the maple) but they worked pretty good and would very easily make your target weight. All the bows pulled between 25 and 27 inches.  These are not exactly what you describe but I believe ya can make your project. JMO
rich

[half eye]

sorry, here's the pics

[Ifrit617]

Thanks half eye... Those are some amazing short bows... If I get something to look half as good as those I'll be happy.

[JW_Halverson]

40#, 40", 19" draw? Heck yeah!  What do you think the Sioux were shooting buffalo with?  Don't let some of the sinew tribe tell you that all the Sioux bows were backed with sinew, plenty were just bare wood bows. 

If you backed a 1 1/4" hickory board with linen, silk, or even cotton fabric, you could do a bend thru the handle bow easily enough.  Don't even worry about flipping the tips any.  If you were to toast the belly, it wouldn't even take up much set, I bet.

[Ifrit617]

Can you heat treat boards and if so what is the easiest way to do it?

[JW_Halverson]

The Traditional Bowyers Bible Vol IV has a section on heat treating, but I haven't gotten that volume yet.  Check George Tsoukalas' website, bet he has something on it about heating treating board bows.  George is kinda the guru on the subject of board bows.