Main Discussion Area > HowTo's and Build-a-longs
Sinew Backed, Double Curve Bow
JackCrafty:
Papa Matt, overall I think Black Locust is superior to Elm as a bow wood. That said, I tend to make the kid's bows out of elm because of the abuse the bows take. Elm bends extremely well with steam and I can induce quite a bit of reflex into the bows...or whatever shape I want. And after taking a lickin', elm keeps on kickin' when locust would have broken.
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JackCrafty:
Here's a couple links to an elm bow made by Marc St Louis (hope he doesn't mind).
http://marc.stoneflake.net/Selfbows/Elm%20Recurved%20D%20Bow/Combination%20Braced.jpg
http://marc.stoneflake.net/Selfbows/Elm%20Recurved%20D%20Bow/
The bow has maitained 3" of reflex.
Papa Matt:
Pat, I think my question really is about set. All else being equal, both woods dried out as good as can be, same optimal shape for each wood, which in your experience takes less set...the Elm? Sorry for all the questions. I've just never really worked with Elm, and have a couple staves lying around. So I'm trying to feel for the best style of bow for them.
~~Matt
JackCrafty:
Hmmm...The simple answer is that I don't know.>:D
I think BL would take less set before breaking.....but BL will break before elm does. Does that help? ;D
Papa Matt:
Yeah, I think I gotcha. ;) And I very much appreciate you responding to all my questions. I just can't decide whether to make a longbow from my Elm or a shorter style, like maybe one of these double curves. I recently made a BL double curve, sort of by accident. I wish I could post pics, I feel so guilty enjoying all the pics from other guys on here and then not holding up on my end by never posting any and always typing pure text. But the BL that I recently made into a double curve by accident, is somewhat longer than the traditional plains style, it's 66" NTN and had a nice ammount (about 3.5") of reflex in it naturally when it was cut. I once saw what was described as a "navajo style" bow, with a very long handle, it looked to me about 10" fade to fade, and I assume it bended slighly. So I designed my 66 incher with that in mind and it has about a 10" handle, which is where all the reflex is stored and it bends slightly. The bow is made and done, I just haven't shot it yet because a while back I broke 3 bones in my shooting hand and it's still not quite strong enough to pull it all the way back. I estimate it will be about 65# at 26". But when braced at 4.5" it looks like a longer version of what you're making here, with the reflex in the handle more spread out (over the 10 inches, instead of in a V). Anyway, the point is, I sort of already have a double curve, and the Elm staves are calling my name. I guess I might go longbow style with them.
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