Main Discussion Area > Horn Bows
Sheep Horn Bow build (complete)
MWirwicki:
This has been a cool build along, Goatster! Can't wait for the next installment.
Aaron H:
--- Quote from: wizardgoat on December 04, 2015, 10:31:32 pm ---Hehe no my patience hasn't cracked on this one yet, got plenty of other things to keep me busy till this thing can be taught to bend. I've got the billets roughed out for #2, they need more shaping.
Working on a batch of dogwood arrows with trade points to accompany this bow.
Too many bows too little time
--- End quote ---
I'm not quite sure there is such a thing as "too many bows"
wizardgoat:
Cheers Matt!
Aaron, I totally agree ;)
wizardgoat:
Alrighty guys, its been about 5 months so I figured I should get back into this bow.
The limbs were quite stiff, I removed some horn with a scraper to get things moving again.
Heres a pic of starting reflex, and below it is horn bow number 2, awaiting a little more shaping and its sinew back.
I made this new caul, after seeing one of Chucks. I decided to remove a fair amount of reflex, to UP my chances of success, and to get a nice 5 curve look.
Using a heat gun for about 10-15 second on each limb, aimed at the horn belly, the limbs bent over the form easily.
I left it for a couple of days, unclamped it and was happy with how it looked.
I began to bend the bow over my knee holding each tip, much like I would with a short bow or kids bow. I took a few scrapes here and there, and tried to even up the bend.
First brace....was a little awkward. Short reflexed bows are never easy to string, and this one took the cake.
It didnt look half bad on the first brace, but took another 4 or 5 heat corrections and lots of scraping and sanding before it looked how I wanted it too.
I did take lots of photos of this process, I won't post them all, just where it ended up.
String alignment is good, and very little twist. Im happy I spent the extra time on the core dealing with these issues way back when.
Soon as I had it braced to a decent profile and height, I began to exercise it on my tree. I wasn't hoping for a high draw weight, somewhere between 40-50# would be just fine.
The bow is 30.5" ntn and has a 4" static handle. On that first session I could pull it to 12" before seeing a problem.
My thickness taper was super close, but my bottom limb looked to be bending too much in the deflex portion.
I decided to heat out some of the deflex, and it really seemed to help.
Again, I took many photos of the tillering process, but so many photos looking nearly identical would be a little boring.
This is where I ended up last night. I'll admit its not perfect, still needs a little work, but Im so happy to see this bow come to life.
I think I'm pulling 15" here, about 45#. I had her out to 16", and I think thats as far as I want her to go.
Shot about 30 arrows so far, I love it.
And thats a wrap for this build along. I'm going to do some small tweaks, pretty her up, and make a matching set of northern plains style arrows.
And of course a sinew string. Thanks to those that showed interest in this build. I certainly learned alot, I hope you did too.
osage outlaw:
That bow turned out great. It's amazing how much power can be stored in a short bow like that. Great job on the build.
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