Bhutanese Bamboo Bows / dimensions ?

[legend]

Hello all ,
Hopefully one or more of the members here will be able to help sort out a bit confusion . I live in the UK and at present I am trying to source some decent and relevent bamboo pieces to make a traditional Bhutanese bamboo bow . I have made a couple of bows in the past as well as other bushcraft implements so I dont see a problem with the actual making of one . What I find confusing is the online information available regarding the correct dimensions for building this bow can differ quite a bit depending what you read . If it helps Im after making this bow with around a 30lb to 35lb draw weight and a 28" inch draw ! As I said I fully understand the build itself but not the exact traditional measurements as they are made in Bhutan ?
Below are the measurements as I understand them :
Full Length unbraced / around 61"
Length of Handle section / around 9" ( overlap )
Each of the two symetrical limbs / 26 " (total limb length 52" )
Widest section of limbs / / ( where they meet the handle ) 4cm tapering to 3cm at the tips
Narrowest section of the handle /   2.5cm to be wrapped in flat leather ribbon
Widest cross section of each individual limb ( approx 2cm ) tapering to narrowest section at tips ( approx 12mm )

Does this sound ok or have I got the measurements wrong  ?  Any help appreciated .

[jameswoodmot]

This is the place to get bamboo from https://www.ukbamboo.com/

Apart from what I just googled I don’t know the bows but the dimensions you have listed certainly seem reasonable.
I have found the only way to get a new design to target weight is to make several of them, it’s pretty much impossible to get it roughy first time round. If I were to make one I would start around 65” and if it doesn’t take too much set I would shorten it.  Bamboo is cheap and you can buy it in pre cut slats but they may come a little thin.

Looking at photos online there is a variation in sizes and diameters of bamboo so that’s likely why you are finding various dimensions listed. Keep the tips
As narrow as you can and don’t forget to make it with the outside of the bamboo on the belly.

[legend]

Hi , thanks for the reply and the source for the bamboo in the UK . As there are many types of bamboo around the world only specific types are ideally used to make the Bhutanese bows mainly with the right dimensions . I believe the ideal type available here in the UK is the Mosso bamboo and to get two pieces for the limbs of the bow it should be cut from the same section of bamboo approximately 4" to 5" in diameter by cutting it down into quarters . By what Ive read and researched the section should have a thickness of around  3/4" at the base and about 1/2" as the section of bamboo tapers towards the tips and this should allow a slight thickness to be shaved or sanded down when finishing the bow . so just need to find the right piece of bamboo .
Apparently when making the Bhutanese bow and as the limbs are both cut from the same section , tillering is a lot easier to get the bow to perform correctly which is why this style of bow was easier to make .

[bassman211]

The bamboo they use is specific to there region. May be hard to obtain. It bends reverse with no problems. I have made them there way with regular bamboo. They turned out just so,so.

[legend]

Yeh , I dont think there is much chance of sourcing the same bamboo as the Bhutanese use and I think here in the UK the best we can get for this type of bow is either Mosso bamboo or the dark variety and of course it must be as large a diameter as possible 4" to 5" probably with a decent thickness to it ! Other people here have used this and seem to turn out half decent poundage but I think the secret is , the thicker the better bamboo .