Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mafort on December 14, 2018, 01:16:09 pm

Title: Cherokee designs and bow artwork.
Post by: Mafort on December 14, 2018, 01:16:09 pm

One of the guys I work with is part Cherokee. I want to build him a bow and a set of arrows for Christmas. As I understand it their bows didn’t vary to harshly from English longbows right? Or am I thinking of a different tribe? Any who show me your stuff. Need the inspiration for an all native build for him.

Title: Re: Cherokee designs and bow artwork.
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2018, 01:29:27 pm

Cherokee style bows were basic rectangular cross section, flat back, flat belly, from 50+" to over 6'  long. They were about 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" wide at the handle and tapered to about 3/4" of a little less at the tip, sometimes with single side nocks. Generally they weren't decorated.
Google "Eastern Woodland Style Bows", you should get lots of pics.

Title: Re: Cherokee designs and bow artwork.
Post by: willie on December 14, 2018, 06:35:18 pm

https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,58067.0.html

not only "basically retangular", but some had "square" corners that I would call exceptionally fine for a bow

Title: Re: Cherokee designs and bow artwork.
Post by: Hawkdancer on December 15, 2018, 01:05:10 pm

Might try to get Al Herrin's "Cherokee Bows and Arrows". The local library can call it in, if they don't have it.  Al is Cherokee.  Also available from Al.
Hawkdancer