Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: arachnid on December 04, 2014, 09:22:06 am

Title: Help Designing A Mulberry bow- Stave experts please HELP!
Post by: arachnid on December 04, 2014, 09:22:06 am

Hi Guys.

I cut a Mulberry log about a month and a half ago, split it and sealed the end.
The 2 staves are 53" long.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RKtCISNZ9KNnN6gC1VZCXvvNnpKvKRLphsyAMYz2rhU=w1153-h865-no)

One of the staves had this branch sticking out, and after splitting I saw it`s going all the way into the heartwood:

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yXURE934U9A/VIBcTYxLLfI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/eeiEha0GUNU/w1153-h865-no/20141204_150252.jpg)

The other stave has a similar thing, only smaller (most of it is in the other stave):

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--EwBh_DjYEA/VIBdM7kOzrI/AAAAAAAAD1A/wDOrjLrVZIw/w1153-h865-no/20141204_150418.jpg)

The two staves a straight, with tight heartwood rings:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kAS9wKRMK84/VIBb6mAaN5I/AAAAAAAAD0E/LJgAaQLeGXw/w1153-h865-no/20141204_150148.jpg)

From the far end to the "branch-out" (if that`s what it`s called) it`s 37" long:

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gxw37j7clt0/VIBcrimiVvI/AAAAAAAAD0c/F4IHV9kX_k0/w1153-h865-no/20141204_150315.jpg)


I face 2 options:
A ) Go for 2 short, bendy-handle bows. In this case, My problem is working that branch sticking out.
B ) Cut the 2 staves to 37" each (without the branches) and splice them both. That means only one bow but I think it`ll be easier to work.

I will note that I`ve only made board bows until now, never a stave bow, but I`m up fir challenges.
I`d be grateful for any advice, idea and design suggestion.

Thanks in advance.
Dor.

Title: Re: Help Designing A Mulberry bow- Stave experts please HELP!
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 04, 2014, 09:39:47 am

I guess the choice is yours.
I don't like short bows so I'd go for splicing the 2 and eliminating the 2 branch entries.
Jawge

Title: Re: Help Designing A Mulberry bow- Stave experts please HELP!
Post by: Springbuck on December 11, 2014, 12:55:22 am

  Ignore them.  To me it looks like you have so much thickness that they would simply disappear as you thin the limb, esp on a short bow. 

BTW, do you intend to make two 52" bows?  That seems short as heck, regardless, even for a bendy handle.  If it was me, I would splice them anyway, and get an awesome 68" stave, but I haven't succeeded with many bendy -handles.

Title: Re: Help Designing A Mulberry bow- Stave experts please HELP!
Post by: arachnid on December 11, 2014, 09:48:29 am

Well I think I'll splice them. I'm not a be fan of short bows or bendy handles...