Main Discussion Area > Horn Bows
240's sheep horn bow build with Tom Lucas
wizardgoat:
Once your at the final stage tillering, it takes less than 5 seconds with a heat gun to get what you need.
There’s a lot of bridges to cross with building these bows, cross them as they come or the whole process can seem very intimidating.
I’ve never soaked my horns, just boiled for 10 minutes and strapped it down to a form.
loefflerchuck:
Ryan, I start with mine as thick and wide as I can before flattening them to cut the straightest section I can later. Like Shelton's size in his photos. If I don't soak that size it will not soften.
Shelton, it's important to use really good glue. You can make it yourself with clean sinew scraps cooked in water 120-140f for 6-10 hours covered. You add just enough water to just cover the sinew. Hide glue forms more complex bonds over the course of a year+. If you use heat to adjust tiller it is important to let those bonds form for 6 months oor the sinew may slip. I don't use a heat gun. A electric burner or heat pad works better. Heat it slowly to penetrate the horn without making it brittle.
NorthHeart:
You two men are giving me some extremely valuable advice, and it is highly appreciated.
I got some sinew scraps on the way from the trade section of this forum. Chuck, why do you believe that sinew glue is the best way to go vs. glue made from hide or Knox gelatin? Whats the difference i thought it was all the same stuff.
I just bought a used burner today(large flat type roughly 12"x20"). It adjusts 225 degrees up to 425. Would 225 degrees be ideal for the horn, and to clarify are you saying to lay the horn/sinew bow on it or just horn? And im still hoping you will confirm if you do all the initial steps discussed in your previous post in only 5 days time with no issues "giving back" or re-twisting of the horn.
I also bought a used crock pot today for making sinew glue:) And a huge pan that i hope will fit my next set of horns...Chuck ;)
NorthHeart:
Today my horns are soft enough to bend. We clean the glue from the inner area now that is soft with a concave chisel. Tom demonstrates how to bend the horn so you can tell its ready, and he uses his pocket knife to show how soft it is. If your new to horn bows as i am, this is the only way i can explain it, at first its hard as concrete, after soaking it has the consistency of rubber...its mind boggling i had to bend the horn 20 times before i mentally accepted it wasnt going to snap in half.
I get the privilege of having Toms help while i lash them down. We us the methods mentioned previously to accomplish this. Now they will sit by his fireplace indoors for about a month. The next step will be to narrow the horn to bow dimensions and then to splice them together.
NorthHeart:
See my hand in the pic. Promise i did some work this time not just watching. In fact i lashed all the horn with a bit of help holding it down and tying knots courtesy of Tom.
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