Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Silent Bear on December 30, 2010, 08:38:16 pm

Title: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on December 30, 2010, 08:38:16 pm
Some of the latest bows that I have made

37 inch juniper 55 pounds at 22 inch
39 inch juniper 50 pounds at 22 inch
38 inch mountain juniper 55 pounds at 22 inch
44 inch pacific yew (same dimensions as one of Ishi's bows) 56 pounds at 24 inch

Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: bcbull on December 30, 2010, 09:34:08 pm
man those are nice  i been wanting to make one for some time finnaly i am making one it 41 1/2  yew thanks for posting those pic s  about ready to sinew mine   brock
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: half eye on December 30, 2010, 10:29:35 pm
Silent Bear,
      Really gorgeous.....Those are outstanding examples of the type. Absolutely nothing to NOT like.
rich
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 30, 2010, 10:36:24 pm
Now you are a man who knows how to make an entrance. Nice bunch of bows and welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: JBL on December 30, 2010, 11:02:30 pm
Those are some beautiful bows.  I really like the Pitt River bows, they are on my "want it" list.
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Pat B on December 30, 2010, 11:36:28 pm
Very nice bows!   Can we see full draw pics?
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Cameroo on December 31, 2010, 12:23:16 am
Nice looking bows!  How much sinew does it take to back a bow of that style?

I wouldn't mind seeing some full draw pics either.
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: medicinewheel on December 31, 2010, 12:27:37 am
Full draw.... PE-LEEEEAZE!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Del the cat on December 31, 2010, 08:06:27 am
Brilliant!
More pics!
Del
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 31, 2010, 08:18:05 am
Very nice. I would like to see a couple of them pulled back. Dean
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Eric Garza on December 31, 2010, 08:58:49 am
Beautiful bows, I agree.  I'd love to see full draw picks also.  Silent Bear, do you use back or leg sinew?
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Keenan on December 31, 2010, 11:09:14 am
 I agree with Justin, very nice entrance to the board.  Excellent replicas! ;) I'm glad to see more of these short sinew bows comming to the forum. Very nice work.  Juniper and yew are my two favorite woods to work. You most live in the NW somewhere.  If so I'd love to see these bows in person sometime.  Thanks for sharing and welcome to PA.    Keenan
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: jonathan creason on December 31, 2010, 11:42:59 am
Wow, those are awesome!
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Sparrow on December 31, 2010, 11:52:21 am
Welcome to P.A.   Be great to see some drawn photo's of the bows. They look nice.  '  Frank
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Gordon on December 31, 2010, 04:33:10 pm
I agree with the others - you really know how to make an entrance. I would dearly love to see a couple of those pulled back. Welcome!
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on December 31, 2010, 08:16:01 pm

These bows are backed with 3 layers of leg sinew the last yew bow has 1 thick layer I normally use the back sinew for bowstrings

Thanks for all the great replies I appreciate it, I am a member of the Atsugewi band Pitt River tribe I enjoy sharing my culture with others

I do not have any updated pictures but here is a picture of the 37 inch bow, I am uncoftorable with leaving these bows at full draw while I take pictures so it was pulled to 20 inches

Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: uwe on January 01, 2011, 08:05:21 am
Great work Silent Bear. I like these bows very much How wide are the limbs? And how thick ? I think not more than 3/8".
Regards Uwe
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: ohma on January 01, 2011, 10:51:41 am
those are great i wish you would recruit a friend and show some more drawn  and braced pics, always been my favorite design.love to be able to shoot one at my full draw.
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Matt Ewing on January 01, 2011, 01:05:43 pm
Man I love those bows! very nice 
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on January 02, 2011, 03:12:01 am
Keenan- I live in Redding Ca where are you located ?

uwe- the bows range from 1 3/4 to around 2 1/2 at midlimb, they are thin less than 3/8

I will try and get some full draw pictures in the native shooting style which is similar to Ishis when the weather clears up

Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: AndrewS on January 02, 2011, 07:45:21 am
Some great bows!  Congrats to your work!
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: 1776J on January 02, 2011, 11:01:12 am
Thank you so much for sharing these photos and your heritage with us here.  Wonderful bows!  :)
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: PeteC on January 02, 2011, 11:05:22 am
Wow,those are very nice. Great job. God Bless
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: zenmonkeyman on January 02, 2011, 10:38:54 pm
Can't wait to see more!
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: rileyconcrete on January 02, 2011, 10:51:58 pm
Great bows.

Working on a juniper Paiutte style short bow right now.  Those are great replicas.

Welcome you should fit right in around here.

Tell
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Parnell on January 03, 2011, 01:27:04 pm
Wow, really great bows.  Look forward to seeing your work and welcome to PA!
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Cacatch on January 03, 2011, 03:11:14 pm
Really sweet bows, Silent Bear, thank you for sharing!  Was the sinew put on with hide glue? Thanks again!

CP
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: JackCrafty on January 03, 2011, 03:41:19 pm
Very nice!  :o
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on January 03, 2011, 10:51:44 pm
Thanks for the warm welcome guys, riley I hope all goes well on your juniper bow can't wait to see it when its finished

Cacath the glue was made from sinew scraps but is very similar to hide glue
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: hammertime on January 03, 2011, 10:54:17 pm
Those are beautifull ,art work is really well done-how do shortys like that shoot-like to try one sometime-Hammertime
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Sidewinder on January 04, 2011, 01:29:05 am
Silentbear I think you have been doing this a while, those look great. I too am curious how they feel in the hand. I would also like to see how they are shot. Is this with a pinch style and push pulled to the middle of the chest. Please explain. I also assume they are shorter draw length with those poundages because with the different style of shooting it does not require as long of a draw, is that correct?

I guess you being a bowmaker from the tribe whose style you are presenting would make these more than replicas, it woul make them the real deal only in todays generation. I am so glad that the internet has allowed those of us with the hunger to learn the opportunity. Without it I would have never gotten to see the fruits of your craft or share in the pride of your culture.  Thank you     Danny
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Cacatch on January 04, 2011, 09:59:00 am
Sweet!  Could I ask you your recipe for making glue from sinew scraps? I tried once but evidently didn't do something right because all I kept getting was dirty water and I boiled the stuff down to almost non-existance. Thanks!

CP
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on January 04, 2011, 10:23:49 pm
The native shooting style is geared more to these bows than the conventional, I have a hard time shooting these bows with the conventional shooting style most people use. everything just seems awkward the bow seems to stack more in the hands and its hard to find a consistent anchor.

I believe these people developed this unusual style because it lends itself for shooting in tight spots and is more accurate at a short draw your arms are very tight against your body letting you hold arrows under your right armpit and you have a constant anchor at your chin this style just feels natural for these bows.

With light arrows I do not notice a difference in speed when comparing to a longbow

Sidewinder- Yes its a pinch style the thumb pinches down on the arrow and the index and middle pinch up the bow is set almost horizontal with the arrow resting on the right side of the handle the arrow is held between the thumb and index finger, the left arm pushes out and the right pulls in and you anchor the wristbone at the chin. I will try and get a picture up soon and it should better explain what I am trying to say.

Cacath- you want the glue to go to a simmer boiling will make it weak, it helps on time to chop it down as fine as you can before cooking it out

I am glad I am able to share my culture with you guys I didn't think many people had interest in this stuff
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Kviljo on January 04, 2011, 10:48:27 pm
I hope we get to see more of this! Keep up the good work! Quite inspirational. I will have to try to make something similar soon.
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Sidewinder on January 05, 2011, 11:05:41 am
Thanks Sient Bear, I will look forward to seeing the pics when you get them up. There is another interesting site online as well that has attracted many throughout the world that have an interest in not only primitive archery but other primitve skills such as knapping, cordage, knife making atc.  If you have an interest PM me and I will send you think. I have not posted it here just in case itcould offend this sites owners. I have great respect for them and this site and do not want a conflict of interest in the event one even exists.   Danny
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: uwe on January 05, 2011, 12:52:29 pm
Danny, if you want to have an idea of this shooting style, try to find a biography of ISHI. Different pics show this unique man and his or his tribes to shoot this bow.
A few weeks ago here was a thread about a "Yoü tube`s" film of the early `60ties, which show the way of making such bows as well as to shoot them. Films title was "Sinew backed Bow"? or something like this. The film shows how to make the sinew layer. What makes me wonder is, that he puts the sinew dry on the glued bow. I`ve learnt and did it always this way, to soak the water soaked tendons  with glue, strip? it through the fingers, because of too much glue and then lay it on the bows`back.
Silentbear, how do vou make it wet or dry?
Regards Uwe
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Silent Bear on January 05, 2011, 08:59:37 pm
Kviljo- thanks for the nice comments im happy that you were inspired by my work

Thanks Danny I will send you a pm

Uwe- I have seen this video, I myself was wondering the same thing all the tribes I have ever seen around here chew or soak it in warm water before applying it was strange to see him applying it dry. I soak the sinew in warm water a good 2 hours before applying I have backed bows by chewing and it seems to give similar results

 
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: 1776J on January 05, 2011, 11:32:09 pm

I am glad I am able to share my culture with you guys I didn't think many people had interest in this stuff

Ohhh how wrong you were!!  hehehe....
 ;)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: 1776J on January 05, 2011, 11:35:12 pm

A few weeks ago here was a thread about a "Yoü tube`s" film of the early `60ties, which show the way of making such bows as well as to shoot them. Films title was "Sinew backed Bow"? or something like this. The film shows how to make the sinew layer. What makes me wonder is, that he puts the sinew dry on the glued bow. I`ve learnt and did it always this way, to soak the water soaked tendons  with glue, strip? it through the fingers, because of too much glue and then lay it on the bows`back.
Silentbear, how do vou make it wet or dry?
Regards Uwe

That was me who posted that,...
here ya go if anyone else is interested in seeing it!
Enjoy!  :)

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,22844.0.html
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: uwe on January 06, 2011, 01:53:45 pm
I`m "over 50"! Its allowed to me not to remember who it was exactly! ;D ;)
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: bucksbuoy on January 06, 2011, 03:48:21 pm
Love this style of bow. Thanks for sharing silentbear. For some of us this is kind of an obsession  ;D
Title: Re: Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbows
Post by: Josh on January 17, 2011, 03:01:53 pm
...missed your bowlast month for BOM contest but I have it bookmarked for the January Contest... Really nice bend for such a short bow, great work!  :)