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Legolas Bow possible?

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RunningWolf:
Thanks Hamish, I'll see what I can do once the Osage cures.  Also, I know for sure I can't draw a 75# bow.  It just seems like it needs to be a war bow.  I may not end up actually making it like that, I'm really just trying to figure out if it's even possible at this phase.  Maybe I'll eventually break down and get some real yew so I can have something better to work with.  I may go for a lower draw weight too.  I can pull by the 45# bows that I made so far, but I doubt I could go much above 50# without more practice.

bownarra:
Its 'possible' but don't try to copy that picture exactly - it is a fantasy 'bow'.
no problem to make a d section very mildly recurved bow.

RyanY:
I'd say the shape is more similar to an egyptian style bow than an ELB with the deflexed handle. Rattan would be a good choice with its elasticity but draw weight would be low. The bow in the movie looks quite short, definitely less than 72". You would have the best luck with an elastic wood and sinew backing for a short heavy bow. Hickory wouldn't do well with a rounded cross section but you could try and at least get close with the shape for some experience.

Actually, you should look at some of Marc St Louis' deflex recurves. Very similar shape and can definitely achieve decent draw weights. Not a beginner bow design by any means though.

Marc St Louis:

--- Quote from: RunningWolf on April 15, 2022, 04:16:24 pm ---I've always been fascinated with this bow design.  The picture here shows a picture of the prop that they use for Legolas' bow in Peter Jackson's movies.  I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at because I've never built an English longbow style bow.  My understanding of them is that they still have to be backed with a single growth ring, but that they have a deeper belly that gives them a round shape.  I've also heard that some woods don't work very well for ELB style bows (like hickory because of poor compression) and you should try for woods like yew or eastern cedar (with some kind of backing for cedar).  Does that sound right? 

I'm still trying to figure out the basics on the ELB bow, but my real question about the Legolas bow is how to get the recurves into it.  Can you even recurve a bow with a deep belly?  I don't think I've ever seen a real English longbow with recurves other than this one.  From what I've heard, the bow used in the films was made of rubber.  I'm just wondering if it's even possible to make a bow to the specks of the movie that looks close to the prop and still performs the way we would hope for an Elvish ELB style war bow.  I've always wanted to make one, and I would be thrilled if I could figure out a way to use hickory to make a bow of the right shape of about 72 inches long, an inch and a half wide at the center that draws about 75# at 28 inches.  Has anyone out there ever tried to make an English longbow with recurves?

--- End quote ---

Made one of those many years ago for a guy south of the border, he wanted to hunt pigs with it.  Turned out OK

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