Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kev K. on April 29, 2007, 11:48:22 pm

Title: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Kev K. on April 29, 2007, 11:48:22 pm

  I have many birch trees in my area and plan to cut some for bows.  I was wondering if anyone had and ideas on what the dimensions should be for a good bow? Also, should you back birch?Anything helps, I'm still somewhat new to this.

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Pat B on April 30, 2007, 01:03:20 am

Depending on your draw length I would say for 28" draw go 66" to 68", 2" wide at the fades and out most of the limb and taper the last 6" to 8" to 1/2" tips. You want a 4" handle either in the middle(symmetrical) or from the center line go up 1 1/4" and down 2 3/4" for your 4" handle. This will give you a shorter bottom limb which some prefer.  Outside the handle go 1 1/2" to 2" where the handle fades into the limbs. From there it's 2" wide out the limb. Keep the belly flat and take it easy while tillering not to over stress the limbs.  Have fun!   Pat

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Kev K. on April 30, 2007, 01:38:13 am

Thanks pat. :)

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Marc St Louis on April 30, 2007, 11:15:37 am

What species of Birch do you have?

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Kev K. on April 30, 2007, 10:11:27 pm

I think it's white birch or paper birch.

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Pat B on May 01, 2007, 02:07:36 am

Paul Comstock specifically mentioned paper birch as a bow wood in his book. One of his test bows was paper birch.   Pat

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: duffontap on May 01, 2007, 04:24:11 am

I was looking at some paper birch yesterday while wood cutting.  I've really wanted to find a good stave to try.  Let us know how it works. 

Pat's right, Paul says that's a great bow.

          J. D. Duff

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Marc St Louis on May 01, 2007, 10:24:56 am

I've never made a bow out of White Birch but I have made a few out of yellow Birch

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: Kev K. on May 01, 2007, 08:31:32 pm

Thanks, I'll get started ASAP!

Title: Re: Birch Bow Dimensions
Post by: bassman on January 15, 2019, 03:07:05 am

I have made a couple bows from white birch.Wide,long,and belly heat treated are decent bows  at 40lbs. draw weight.Lower end bow wood in my opinion.Yellow birch is supposed to be more suitable as bow wood.