Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: cool_98_555 on May 31, 2017, 08:53:59 am

Title: Osage width taper
Post by: cool_98_555 on May 31, 2017, 08:53:59 am
Hi guys,

Working on a really nice osage stave right now.  The bow has been roughed out to the dimensions I like.  However, I am trying to figure out what to do on the width taper.  Right now I have it parallel for 2/3 and tapering only the last 1/3 of the limb.  There is a knot really close to the side on one limb that I could remove if I taper from halfway down the limb instead.  It is 1 1/8" wide for the parallel sections of the limb and it is 66" long.  Right  now the limbs are 3/4" thick and I want 85#+ for a draw weight.  What do you think? Should I taper from halfway out the limb to take the knot out of the picture or just leave it?
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 31, 2017, 09:21:11 am
I always taper mid limb out and tiller accordingly. 
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: cool_98_555 on May 31, 2017, 09:27:54 am
Any reason you like midlimb taper PEARL?  I read somewhere performance is better due to less mass, but i'm not sure if it that much difference performance-wise than tapering the last 1/3rd.
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: Pat B on May 31, 2017, 09:38:55 am
With osage you can taper from the fades(pyramid) or anywhere along the limb especially at 66" for a 28" draw. If you can eliminate the a knot I'd start the taper wherever you can to do that.
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 31, 2017, 09:48:07 am
I don't have a reason, just that I've always made them that way and it works for me. I have adjusted my heat induced reflex to match the profile I use.
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: Knoll on May 31, 2017, 11:40:53 am
So, Pearl, if you were building a lot of pyramid-profile bows would ya have a reflex caul with more of a constant radius?
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: bradsmith2010 on May 31, 2017, 11:48:39 am
hard to tell with out a pic,,
thats whats nice about bow making, you could probably do it either way and get a good bow,,
great advice from above,,
Title: Re: Osage width taper
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on May 31, 2017, 11:49:50 am
I have never made a pyramid bow. But yes, I would have even reflex from fades to tips if I did make them. On a flat bow I like very little reflex the first half, then really pour it on the second half.