bamboo self bow build

[superdav95]

I would start over with the riser you have to much time  in the limbs at this point and it looks hopeful for a good flight bow. Did you do some force draws as you went? Has the early draw changed much from24-26”? If you need some good Osage for riser wood let me know. I have lots of belly drops off my longbow builds.

I’m gonna rebuild the handle with teak.  I’ve got some here that I purchased from lumber yard while back.  Glad I didn’t get rid of it before the move!  I have some ipe too but don’t want to waste it on this.   I didn’t get to doing the force draw curve yet as I was merely trying to get closer to my target first.  But it was looking good and consistent.  I’ll do one when I get back to where I left off and write down some numbers.  I’ll try this teak first and let you know how she goes.  😎

[superdav95]

What sort of bloodwood is the question?

I had used Massaranduba for bellywood and it is very good (not as good as ipe but nearby).

Massaranduba is often called Bloodwood!?

Ya I’m not sure what variety it is.  I bought this plank from a local lumber yard and it looked cool.  Written on the end grain was “bloodwood”.  I actually wonder if this is paduak mislabeled.  The rack that I got this from had many varieties stacked together.  The give away for me is the smell of paduak when it’s cut.  It’s very distinctive smell.  When cutting this plank it reminded me of paduak.  I think it may in fact be mislabeled bloodwood. Unless bloodwood is another name for paduak.   Anyway it’s pretty stuff but not good for strength apparently. 

[bjrogg]

I’ll be watching Dave

Bjrogg

[Hamish]

What sort of bloodwood is the question?

I had used Massaranduba for bellywood and it is very good (not as good as ipe but nearby).

Massaranduba is often called Bloodwood!?

Chumash. Massaranduba is an excellent bow wood, like you mention just a touch under Ipe. I've never heard of it being called Bloodwood. Personally never used any Bloodwood, because it doesn't have the greatest reputation for compression fractures.

Historically Massa' has been known and both beefwood, and bulletwood.

[Badger]

Bloodwood has the nastiest saw dust. It makes me sick. For a couple of days anytime I worked with it.

[Chumash]

I'm from Germany and the common names are a bit different. Old names bloodwood, bulletwood, beefwood often declare a lot sort of woods.....

@badger
The dust of Massaranduba smells like some sort of pepper and I always have a burning in the noose, when I work with.

[superdav95]

Hey guys a little update on this bow.  I got back to where to where I was prior to the mishap.  I did some sanding and more sanding then more sanding.  Trying to creep up on this 50pound target.  After a number of sessions of removal I am close to my target.  I figure a few more sanding sessions and I’m there.  It’s currently at 51lbs at 25”.  I want it at 50lbs at 26”.  It has maintained its 3” reflex and is holding it.  That’s a good sign.  I did a crude force draw curve as it currently sits.  Got good early draw.  I’ll post a link and hosted pics.   More to come. 

https://share.icloud.com/photos/054hTVlskybtnsM3d9JnXExVw

[Selfbowman]

Dave that force draw is impressive. A 26” draw  will put you using a 24” flight arrow with a 2” shelf. If you make 12-14# at 10” you have the bow to brake records. Now just get a arrow to come out clean and you are there. This a opinion from someone who has broadhead records but no flight records.  Good luck with your project!!!

[superdav95]

ok so a few more sanding seesions and we are there!  50lbs at 26".  draw curve would essentially be the same as I was only a pound or two off.  I burnished the belly and edges well and may spray it to seal it.  You can see from the pics here that i was fortunate to not loose much of the reflex.  You can see the fairly dark cook on the belly too.  the dimensions have remained the same really its just more tapered to reduce weight in draw.  ill keep the cordage wraps on till after i shoot it at the flats.  Its got decent early tension and draw curve so we shall see.  thanks for looking

 

[Selfbowman]

Dave how much are tips behind the handle now and check after tiller complete. This will tell everyone just how good you are. Just saying.

[superdav95]

Dave how much are tips behind the handle now and check after tiller complete. This will tell everyone just how good you are. Just saying.

lol,,, Ya i got lucky with this one it almost didnt make it!  i just remeasured it and its around 3.25".  it must have crept over the last day or so of me reducing it down??? not sure but its been consistently 3".  Im gonna say the tips are 3" past the handle.  It really hasn't taken any set yet that i can see.  I figure the reason may be due to my being very deliberate on removal with sanding and then rechecking it. 
As I closed in on it i switched to 220 paper and got it. 

[Badger]

   There might be more significance to this bow that it appears on the surface. I really have never seen a bamboo bow perform at a high level. I know they have been building bamboo bows for centuries but I just have never seen one perform at a high level with my own eyes. If this one performs the way it looks like it will it is opening up the doors to a whole new category of bow building. Bamboo is relatively cheap and easy to work. Looking forward to seeing what the future will bring.

[superdav95]

   There might be more significance to this bow that it appears on the surface. I really have never seen a bamboo bow perform at a high level. I know they have been building bamboo bows for centuries but I just have never seen one perform at a high level with my own eyes. If this one performs the way it looks like it will it is opening up the doors to a whole new category of bow building. Bamboo is relatively cheap and easy to work. Looking forward to seeing what the future will bring.

Thanks badger!
I’m trying to curb my excitement about this bow a bit as it often can set us up for disappointment.  I’ve done a lot of testing on these bows and others like it using just bamboo as the working limbs.  The 5 piece builds were very good performers despite its limitations with glued siyahs and mass issues.  Despite all this they performed good and was attributable to the limbs and the heat treatment.  These recurve versions don’t have those same drawbacks or issues. Especially with having less mass out towards the tips.  The incorporated tips were just what it needed.  After much testing and breaking and fails I managed to get a few sets successfully recurved.  Green bamboo is great for bending in recurves but very hard to get in my neck of woods.  The other challenge with green for me even if on the odd time I could get some was drying time.  It takes a very long time to dry properly without cracking excessively. This cannot be hurried too fast or else more cracks.  Finding a way to get the recurves on dried moso slats was in order.  My first attempt was a nice little 30lb bow.  This prompted me to keep going and shoot for a 50lb set.  It’s been a journey for sure to get this bow to this point. We shall see if it performs the way I suspect it will.  I’m working on a some arrows.  My home made spine tester is mia but I still have my digital depth guage so I’ll just make another I guess.  I need good arrows to see good flight.  I’ve had more then a few of you guys tell me this so I better not screw this up.  lol.   😁