Main Discussion Area > Horn Bows
240's sheep horn bow build with Tom Lucas
NorthHeart:
I am truly fortunate to be learning from Tom, i agree. I showed up at his gallery many times to both admire his work and show him my bows which he enjoyed discussing. He said he could tell how enthusiastic and serious i was about the horn bow. And when he said i could share his methods(and i asked him multiple times if it was ok) i knew pics and a buid along were in order. He said he doesnt want to die with his secrets and would rather pass them on. Pretty awesome. So i go to his shop everyday im off work. Next week we will be lashing down my horns assuming i can get off the mountain, as they are now soft enough. He actually plans to hunt deer this season with his horn bow, which i must say is pretty darn cool.
Aaron H- yes sir! Its in reference to 3 of the vehicles that had an influence on me when i was younger and in the "car tuning" scene. I actually considered something more fitting when i signed onto PA, but im somewhat forgetful, and if i use the same screen name on all the forums then all i have left to remember is my password:)
High-Desert:
What a great build along. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
I was way off on your screen name, I saw it and thought it was a military reference to the 240 machine gun and search and rescue team.
NorthHeart:
--- Quote from: High-Desert on February 25, 2018, 10:48:11 am ---What a great build along. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
I was way off on your screen name, I saw it and thought it was a military reference to the 240 machine gun and search and rescue team.
--- End quote ---
I like your thought process! I tried for the Marines at 18 and again for the Army at 32. I had Airborne Rangers on my contract and was medically discharged for an eye related issue. Im currently looking into possibilities of the French Foreign Legion. Being fully capable and being told i cant do my dream, well that simply doesnt work for me.
But the next best thing has been pursing bow building and my passions related to the outdoors. Being in the wilds of WY, and about to move to Montana, i suppose im doing ok:)
loefflerchuck:
Good to see you on here Shelton. Nice country where you live. I was in Jackson last week. When I get my horns cut for the first time I soak them in cold water for 3 days and then boil them for no more than 12 minutes. without soaking them they do not soften in the boiling water to flatten. Then I just leave them strapped to a board for a couple days.
I think of the few people who make bighorn bows Tom is maybe the closest to how the natives did it. I also use methods from 2000 years of written history of asian horn bow makers to my advantage. For example I use heat for much of the final tillering. From what I have seen Tom just scrapes his for the tiller.
I'm looking forward to seeing your completed bow later this year.
NorthHeart:
Chuck, i appreciate the suggestions regarding horn. My future bows might be a combination of Toms methods and yours. I dont want to rush anything, however im all about saving time and getting better results if the 2 can happen simultaneously. Thats efficiency.
So let me make sure i understand. After you cut the horn you soak it for 3 days in cold water, boil it for only 12 min and immediately strap it to the board, and then remove it in 2 days. So that entire process happens in only 5 days time? Do you ever encounter any issues with the horn "giving back" or twisting back to its original shape?
Regarding heat for tillering...is this before of after the sinew is applied? If after, do you not have to worry about scorching the hide glue and sinew from where the heat sinks through the horn from the belly side?
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