Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: JMcCauley on November 02, 2011, 03:50:35 am

Title: Rattan?
Post by: JMcCauley on November 02, 2011, 03:50:35 am

A friend suggested I try making a rattan bow. Anyone have any experience with this?

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 02, 2011, 04:54:36 am

Make it short and with recurves!

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: JMcCauley on November 02, 2011, 05:31:18 am

Mind elaborating?

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Parnell on November 02, 2011, 12:59:25 pm

Hello JM,

Don't forget to use the search windows if something like this comes up.  I remember this link from awhile back, it's a rattan bow that was made for a child.  Don't know about how an adult size would turn out but it'd be interesting to see.  Maybe this can give you some ideas...

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,20912.0.html

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 02, 2011, 04:44:26 pm

Yes, Matthias' is one great example!

Rattan bends easy under dry heat (don't use oil as you would if you'd bend wood with dry heat!), and it's literally unbreakable. Here is one in the process, came out 35#or so at 26". Don't hesitate to ask further questions.

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Ifrit617 on November 02, 2011, 04:46:33 pm

YOU GOT THAT LITTLE BOW TO DRAW 26"??? iT MUST BE SOME TOUGH STUFF SEEING ITS ONLY PULLED TO 20" IN THE PIC!

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: k-hat on November 02, 2011, 04:51:44 pm

Wow, that pic has me suffering from bow envy AND tool envy! :o

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Parnell on November 02, 2011, 05:13:34 pm

Could rattan go to 50#+?

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: jeffhalfrack on November 02, 2011, 05:47:46 pm

   OOOHH  NO  HE   DIDN"T,,,,,,Med Wheel   you  have  to  show  and  tell  more!!!!!!    pleaseeeeeeeeeese!!  I  like it!!!    JEFFW

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Gus on November 02, 2011, 07:24:56 pm

Medicinewheel, that is Awesome!

Does anyone know a good place in the states to procure some Bow quality Rattan?
Been looking through the back threads but haven't seen a reference to such a place yet.

Thanks!

-gus

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 02, 2011, 10:05:42 pm

I'm not sure with this particular one but I sure have made similar length bows that I pulled to 26". Here is one that I pulled to 29":

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,8499.0.html

Honestly it's no big deal with rattan, it will not break.
Personally I have not made one stronger than 35# but I'm sure 50# can be done.

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 02, 2011, 11:23:18 pm

Mike Stocklin in Faith, SD regularly makes Siouxan style horse bows in the 70# plus range using rattan and sinew. 

Saw your rattan down the middle, flip it arsey-varsey so the cut side is out and start tillering from the back.  Once you have it floor tillered, string it and finish tillering with the string still on it to show the flat spots.  If you have access to a belt sander and a bandsaw there is no reason for you to take more than an hour to have your bow finished and shooting!  You can leave it unfinished, or sinew back, or rawhide back, back with canvas, silk, paper bag, what ever you wish.  This stuff is seriously tuff!

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Del the cat on November 03, 2011, 09:38:58 am

Apropos of nothing...
I was driving through the countryside one day a nd saw a sign "Rattan Garden Furiniture"
I thought it sounded like a good name for a pub...
"The Rat an' Garden Furniture"
Del (sorry about that...)

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Parnell on November 03, 2011, 02:26:35 pm

Frank,

How did you find your rattan material - online order?

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 03, 2011, 07:16:01 pm

Yes, there are several stores that you can order it, but that's here in Germany. Don't know about the US.

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 03, 2011, 07:30:11 pm

If you contact your local Society For Creative Anachronism group they make their weapons from rattan and duct tape (I wonder how the real knights survived without duct tape). 

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Gus on November 04, 2011, 12:47:41 am

Didn't they use the intestines of wild caught feral serfs for Mid-Evil duct tape?    :o

Not to be confused with the short blue woodland creatures that originate in the Humble, Texas area...

-gus

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Gus on November 04, 2011, 01:05:45 am

Here's a follow up on locating Rattan in the States.

Wrote Mr. Torges for some guidance and he pointed me to his Rattan info page.

www.bowyersedge.com/kidsbows.html

Hope this is okay y'all.

-gus

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 04, 2011, 04:50:52 am

Quote from: JW_Halverson on November 03, 2011, 07:30:11 pm

... they make their weapons from rattan and duct tape (I wonder how the real knights survived without duct tape).

Well JW the knights DIDN'T survive, there are no more, right. So finally we know why!  8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: juan lopez on November 05, 2011, 02:14:42 pm

Hello, I made ​​this bow made ​​of rattan, bamboo and tendons, is 55 # 29.
 yours is beautiful.
[imghttp://(http://thumbs.subefotos.com/5b3346dff92507e6419707d1d3366b89o.jpg) (http://subefotos.com/ver/?5b3346dff92507e6419707d1d3366b89o.jpg)
][/img]

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: medicinewheel on November 06, 2011, 04:11:53 pm

I find this type of thread strange: someone asks a question, many share their knowledge, but the questioner never seems to come back...
JMcCauley have we been of help??

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: JW_Halverson on November 06, 2011, 11:25:48 pm

Quote from: medicinewheel on November 06, 2011, 04:11:53 pm

I find this type of thread strange: someone asks a question, many share their knowledge, but the questioner never seems to come back...
JMcCauley have we been of help??

I'm hoping he's too busy in the shop working on his bow to answer you, Medicinewheel.

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Gus on November 07, 2011, 07:31:24 pm

Cool looking bow Juan Lopez...

-gus

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: Gaur on November 07, 2011, 08:31:21 pm

I don't know about him but I sure enjoyed the thread.

Thanks,

Randy

Title: Re: Rattan?
Post by: juan lopez on November 07, 2011, 08:42:10 pm

Sorry Frank, you're right, sorry, rattan wood is very fibrous, and very easy to work, as they say in less than an hour you have your bow ready, but I like to reinforce the back so it is better because the rattan just in time bends.
regards

p.d and thank you all for your comment