Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: loefflerchuck on July 26, 2013, 06:29:34 pm

Title: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on July 26, 2013, 06:29:34 pm
Measured around the curves it is just over 38" tip to tip. 32" long unstrung and 34.5 braced. 52# @ 23". 7 layers of sinew. 3x sinew string.
I've made a few bighorn bows but this is my first all Dall horn bow. Bighorn horns don't have as much curl and are wider so strait pieces can be cut from them to make a strait bow. Dall horns have more curl. I don't boil horn strips for more than 10 min(It starts to weaken the horn after that) and some of the twist that comes out with that will return in time. To accommodate for this I make the handle splice v off a little so with the twist the string still lines up center of the handle(see pic). The other way to combat this is use horns from the same side of a different ram. This makes a reverse propeller twist. The little matching arrows are wild rose and I used these for testing. All shots were between 148 and 168 fps. 5 shots between 164 and 168. This is pretty good for such a heavy horn sinew combo. Very little stack. weight in the first few inches of draw is not much less than at full draw.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Ed Brooks on July 26, 2013, 06:45:06 pm
That's a nice looking bow. Ed
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: LEGIONNAIRE on July 26, 2013, 06:55:13 pm
HAAAAAA SWEEEEET!

Id enjoy shooting that tinybow so much. looks like a killer to me Chuck. Man you you awesome work
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: tattoo dave on July 26, 2013, 07:00:11 pm
Nice work Chuck!!! That's just plain awesome!

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: JonW on July 26, 2013, 07:12:22 pm
Man that is something else Chuck! I dream of bows like that 8)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: toomanyknots on July 26, 2013, 07:23:43 pm
HAAAAAA SWEEEEET!



I second this exact statement, :). Beautiful bow.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: HoBow on July 26, 2013, 07:36:49 pm
Very cool. Nice bend!!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Badly Bent on July 26, 2013, 07:46:11 pm
Real nice build, very impressive.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: dbb on July 26, 2013, 09:54:22 pm
Oh Cool!
Im not usually in to shorties but i think ill make an exeption here :)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 26, 2013, 09:58:33 pm
Cupid.  That was the first thing that came to mind.  That and I think the little bugger hit me in the butt with one of his arrows just as I saw the first pic of it! 

Not an easy bow to make, but I think you nailed it.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on July 26, 2013, 10:14:12 pm
Thanks everyone. Here is one I just started to bend after 4 months on the rack. Have not strung it yet. Easing into it. It has a long way to bend to make it past 20" draw
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Trapper Rob on July 26, 2013, 10:19:59 pm
Sweet
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: mullet on July 26, 2013, 10:59:01 pm
Beautifull bow, Chuck. You must have short arms ;).
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Ozzy on July 26, 2013, 11:05:52 pm
Very cool little bow
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: missilemaster on July 26, 2013, 11:21:41 pm
Wow, that is quite a bow! Very authentic looking :D
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: johnfolchetti on July 27, 2013, 09:33:30 am
Wow is right.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Pat B on July 27, 2013, 11:20:18 am
This is a very cool bow. Most of us can only dream about building bows like this. Well done!!!  8)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: swamp monkey on July 27, 2013, 11:49:59 am
I am impressed!  nice attention to detail and wonderful brace profile.  Love the full draw too. 
thanks for posting. 
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: country on July 27, 2013, 11:58:21 am
Those are very cool.... someday I am going to try one. .... maybe  ::)
THAnks for posting them
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Newindian on July 27, 2013, 12:07:06 pm
This is my favorite type of bow
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Carson (CMB) on July 27, 2013, 02:21:31 pm
Wow, from unbraced to full draw those tips look to be traveling farther than the bow is long!  Looks like you are mastering these horn bows. 
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: rileyconcrete on July 27, 2013, 03:07:32 pm
Nice bow. I love the full draw picture. You have it figured out
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on July 27, 2013, 04:01:33 pm
Thanks everybody. The cost of the horns and time spend in construction makes this build a little stressful but when everything works out iin the end it is worth it. Mullet, I am 5 10 and have almost a fathom(6ft wing span). People tell me I must be drawing the bows I post further but that arrow is only 23" to the point. My full draw to my mouth is only 26". I think with short bows I crane my neck foreward a bit to compensate
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Josh B on July 27, 2013, 07:42:43 pm
You got some serious skills Chuck!  I love seeing your work!  Josh
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Arrowind on July 27, 2013, 10:38:17 pm
WOW.....that is AWESOME!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: KellyG on July 27, 2013, 11:55:24 pm
That is an Awesome bow.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: medicinewheel on July 28, 2013, 07:15:15 am
Awesome!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: MWirwicki on July 28, 2013, 10:26:07 am
Real cool, Chuck! 
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: simson on July 28, 2013, 01:27:19 pm
that's a masterpiece!

I would like to see more pics, esp. some details of handle and tips.
How did you prepare the horn before sinewing?
Is there any wood inside?
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on July 28, 2013, 01:43:02 pm
Pretty sweet little bow.....
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Parnell on July 28, 2013, 04:12:38 pm
Tremendous bow Chuck!  I'm gonna second Simsonm on the request for the tips/grip photos.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: blackhawk on July 28, 2013, 05:37:44 pm
I love it!!!  :D
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on August 03, 2013, 01:12:12 am
No there is no wood core in this bow. It is a American composite replica. Here are the pics of the tips and handle. The handle on this bow is wrapped with sinew so I have a bighorn bow I am about to back with the sane handle. A leo splice with two 4" sections of horn for handle risers. Glued and riveted with copper pegs(Nez Perce copy)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on August 03, 2013, 02:13:26 am
Awesome work Chuck! :o
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Traxx on August 04, 2013, 02:18:49 am
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: simson on August 04, 2013, 06:14:34 am
Thank you for the details!
Awesome work, very good!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: rps3 on August 04, 2013, 10:52:26 am
That is too cool, thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: donnieonetrack on August 04, 2013, 06:00:00 pm
Chuck, to my that is the ultimate weapon, one day I'll get some horns and attempt that bow!  If you need someone to test it on Florida animals send it my way! LOL 

BTW, still shooting both bows I got from you.

Take care,

Donnie
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on August 05, 2013, 04:56:31 pm
Thanks Donnie,
Like I say, anyone who knows how horn/sinew works and has a lot of patience can make one of these.

I still have your osage bow. It was my first osage bow. Now have a few more. Shot it yesterday
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Bowman on August 06, 2013, 03:04:22 pm
Dæven døtte.........awesome bow. Top level. Sheep horns are rare. Masterpiece.  :-)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Nashoba on August 09, 2013, 08:08:22 pm
I need one of these for concealed carry  >:D
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: swamp monkey on August 09, 2013, 08:39:41 pm
where did you get your copper?  I have never seen copper wire that thick. 

Again I say, Nice work.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: dbb on August 10, 2013, 07:52:15 am
I got hold of some 6mm ( about 1/4" i think)copper when they grounded the lightningrods of an old school close by.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: BowEd on October 17, 2013, 10:41:38 pm
Congrats on your bow,skills,and patience.Wonderful little rocket launcher.Good pictures also of the progress.Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Zion on October 17, 2013, 10:58:21 pm
that would be a very handy bow in the bush! Nice speed you got from it too. Must have some good cast. Nice job.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: wood_bandit99 on October 17, 2013, 11:04:52 pm
Sweet bow! Not into shorties but this one is awesome! I am making an osage/sinew one next build!!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: dwardo on October 18, 2013, 07:36:14 am
Amazing work. They always look like cartoon bows at full draw as appear tiny compared to a wood bow.
Would love to try one of these one day.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: TimPotter on October 18, 2013, 09:17:27 am
Very well done!!!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: NeolithicMan on October 18, 2013, 10:03:32 am
That is so kool man!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Tower on October 20, 2013, 01:59:43 am
Simply beautiful.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: mikekeswick on October 20, 2013, 04:01:24 am
Just too cool for school!
Superb bow.
I understand the stress part..... ;)
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: numi13 on October 20, 2013, 09:35:56 am
Excellent bow!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Dan K on October 20, 2013, 02:03:32 pm
Impressive all the way around.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: zenmonkeyman on October 20, 2013, 10:42:19 pm
Absolutely a standout. I have a feeling we'll be seeing this twice in the magazine!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: anasazi on October 21, 2013, 11:30:17 am
Beautiful bow.

Dumb question though would applying some of the sinew at an angle keep it from twisting some
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: bowmo on November 07, 2013, 02:15:55 pm
Awesome!
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on November 07, 2013, 08:51:22 pm
Not a dumb question at all Anasazi. I could be a know it all and give you my opinion as fact but this would take some experiments. The memory of these horns are pretty strong unless you boil them into brittle submission. Applying the sinew at an angle may help a little?? You can reduce horn from one side then use heat to untwist it a little but you don't want an uneven limb, or one side of the bow sinew heavy. This is uneven stress. I just take the strips out of the form and wait a few weeks to splice the handle and sinew. This way you are lining up the string in the center of the handle. We like character wood bows. Why not horn bows as long as they stable and good shooters?
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: kevinsmith5 on November 07, 2013, 09:29:15 pm
So that is exclusively horn and sinew? No wood?
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on November 07, 2013, 10:33:22 pm
No wood. 50% horn and 50% sinew 7 layers
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: kevinsmith5 on November 07, 2013, 10:50:05 pm
Incredible.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: SixRabbit on November 09, 2013, 07:03:26 pm
Nice! I have a pair of dall sheep horns. I want to make a bow. Should I shave the horns down before straightening? Or can I just cut the back off, then boil and straighten and shave and file it down then?
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on November 10, 2013, 01:11:08 am
Reduce it a bit first. Don't boil the horn for more than 10 min. Although keratin does not break down into a glue when cooked it will make the horn brittle if boiled too long. Thinner horn will straiten easier.
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: SixRabbit on November 10, 2013, 03:02:01 am
Okay, that's what I was planning to do, reduce it so it is consistent, then bring it to final size after it is straightened. Is it possible to work out any twists by heat treating and then bending it? Saw a Korean guy do this with one of their horn bows. Thanks
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: SixRabbit on February 06, 2014, 12:14:13 am
I got the back cut off the horns, but the inside is still rather thick. About 1/2 inch. Should I thin it more before I boil it?
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: loefflerchuck on February 06, 2014, 12:30:39 am
Rasp off any flaws to get to the perfect horn. 1/2" is not too thick. That should flatten. Then reduce it to close to the bow size and it will be easy to shape
Title: Re: Dall sheep horn bow.
Post by: Del the cat on February 06, 2014, 04:07:30 am
Yup, like what everyone has already said.
Exemplary work. Great to see the detail of the splice, thanks for posting.
Del