Korean horn bow. while im waiting...

[superdav95]

I'm looking forward to seeing this finished. I think you might have got the sinew technique from James Parker, I remember him doing it on a formica cabinet board about 15 years ago.

Hmm. Yes possibly. I found it gives cleanest results.    I was looking back in YouTube land and I think tengri bows may have been where I recall seeing it.  He has a video showing similar method.   

[superdav95]

added my last final layer of long strand sinew.  This completes the sinew for the bow.  total sinew approx 95-100grams.  reflex at this point is around 13-14". i imagine it will gain a little more to about 15".  we shall see.  here are some pics of the final layer. 

[Mad Max]

Looking good

[Bob Barnes]

Dave, that is crazy cool.  I'm amazed by the reflex bows that you and BowEd make...the horn and sinew just make it that much better.  Thanks for sharing.   

[superdav95]

Thanks guys!  It would be very cool for this one to perform well.   We shall see.   

[superdav95]

just a quick update on this little bow.  Its all cured up now and so I had a day to get it bending.  it was a humid hot day here so i figured it was ideal climate.  i made a bow press to use in conjunction with the tepelinks forms to get the bend shaped in.  the press worked great.  I did some minor tweeks to the bottom limb but no scraping or heat correcting needed.  it was spot on and it looks just liked i was hoping for profile.  I will make a proper string for it soon and do some proper speed testing too once I get it out the full draw.  right now it pulls 54 lbs at around 26-27".  Im hoping to get it to 29" and be around the 60lbs.  we shall see.  It shoots amazing!  was getting 194fps shooting a 400 grain arrow.  zero handshock and feels buttery smooth even with the lighter arrows.  couldnt be happier with the way it turned out.  will get it finished up now.   I started with about 13-14" reflex and then after stringing and shooting it a bunch it retained about 10-11".   



a few short videos of the korean horn bow

https://youtube.com/shorts/1E-KZ8FZEGg?si=1_AyJigWWVOVCh-q

https://youtube.com/shorts/G-f65QMZv1A?si=yuq9epSGa4V5YMPW

https://youtube.com/shorts/liL0BlZioSU?si=ZdPmT8el4F_l8QiB




Heres some pics of the bend process

[sleek]

Man Im so excited seeing this progress. I wish I had the talent and know how to make these. How much is the speed expected to increase as you draw it further?

[superdav95]

Thanks kevin!  ya this was a fun build for sure.  I love the simple elegant look of authentic korean bows.  They just scream efficiency. I was aiming for a tamer version to be a compromise.   it was a little tricky to get right but i got lucky and was diligent where it mattered.  The speed will most definitely increase as i get closer to 29-30". Im so happy with this bow actually.  I imagine it will be over 200fps shooting the same 400 grain arrow at 29-30".  just an estimate. 

[Bob Barnes]

That is amazing Dave!     I probably did something wrong, but the first 2 videos are the same for me.  The 3rd video is you shooting the bow.  Thanks for sharing...

[superdav95]

That is amazing Dave!     I probably did something wrong, but the first 2 videos are the same for me.  The 3rd video is you shooting the bow.  Thanks for sharing...

Thanks Bob.  Ya I just noticed that two of the vids are the same.  all fixed now.  Thanks. 

[WhistlingBadger]

What a beauty.  I love the look of these short horse-style bows.  And holy smoke, 194 fps and you aren't even to full draw yet.  Impressive!

Are you using a thumb release?  I find that my shorter bows get kind of finicky using the med release, so I might have to suck it up and learn to thumb draw...or else stick to long bows.

[sleek]

Dave, if its not too late, can you find out how far you have to draw to get to only 50 pounds, and test shoot a 450 grain arrow through a chrono? Im specifically wanting to see 50#@26 tested but not certain if that will logn up on your force draw curve.

[superdav95]

What a beauty.  I love the look of these short horse-style bows.  And holy smoke, 194 fps and you aren't even to full draw yet.  Impressive!

Are you using a thumb release?  I find that my shorter bows get kind of finicky using the med release, so I might have to suck it up and learn to thumb draw...or else stick to long bows.

Thanks WB.  I’ve been practicing thumb draw on a cheap fg tartar style bow about same size as my Korean bow.  It will be good to practice on until I get proficient enough to switch over to mine.  The advantages are noticeable on shorter bows from what I’m told.  I’ve been trying out store bought thumb rings but decided to make my own out of moulded leather.  I may post a pic of it at some point on here.  It work well and easy to use.  My problem is switching from meditoranian/ western to eastern.  The point of aim or sight picture is way off to me.  I may be doing something wrong I think. 

[superdav95]

Dave, if its not too late, can you find out how far you have to draw to get to only 50 pounds, and test shoot a 450 grain arrow through a chrono? Im specifically wanting to see 50#@26 tested but not certain if that will logn up on your force draw curve.

I will try.  I don’t have any 450 grain arrows but will see what I can do with adding point weight to my 400 grains arrows.  It would be very close to 50 at 26”.  I suspect that the speed will be around the 165-175 range.  I believe this is due to the efficiency gain with increased draw length on these shorter bows.   They are not as efficient at short draws.  I believe that if you were to take a 42”-48” bow that 26” at 50lbs would be faster as it’s closer to to it max efficiency.  This is purely my opinion though based on my experience on building many shorter bows. 

[sleek]

Im very interested in the draw curve this bow has right now if you could put one together for me? I've been trying my best to make wooden bows as fast as horn bows, and this helps me out.