Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: artcher1 on April 07, 2008, 01:31:04 pm

Title: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 07, 2008, 01:31:04 pm
Anybody make 'em unbacked? Friend of mine has a nice clean straight bias cut board and I thinking of making and unbacked bow from it. I know of one bowyer who has been successful but I'm wondering if maybe he's the exception instead of the rule.  Or rather the Ipe wood he was using was. Anybody else build 'em this way? -ART B
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Pappy on April 07, 2008, 01:44:06 pm
I think justin done one unbacked last month,just need to look back and see. ???
    Pappy
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: JackCrafty on April 07, 2008, 01:54:17 pm
I've made some unbacked ipe board bows - a few kids bows and one for myself.  I find that if you make the limbs thin and flat the wood holds up better to the bending stresses but you'll sacrifice some performance.  The most efficient design is narrow with a trapped belly.  You might be able to get away with that design in a long, lightweight (draw) bow but definitely not for a heavy short bow.  ;D
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: OldBow on April 07, 2008, 02:13:14 pm
My very first bow was Ipe. I've still got it - haven't shot it for years. I could never tell where the grain was and had quite a splinters show up on the back.   
I think, though, that a laminate is the way to go for Ipe as evidence by some of the nice Ipe laminates on this forum.
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 07, 2008, 02:38:36 pm
Thanks guys!

Found Justin's thread. Thinking about making a shorter (62-64") rigid handle hunting bow. My draw length is only around 24" so that should be a plus.

Oldbow, yeah, you're right of course. Just wanting to try something a little different though.-ART B
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Rich Saffold on April 07, 2008, 05:16:43 pm
Oldbow Sometimes you can string the bow and slip a little superglue under these splinters.. I have seen bows heavy ones lined with splinters on the back that still shoot just fine..Some ipe has this funny grain, and does this. You can also just back it with hide or leather as well. I used to back ipe selfbows in fine shape just for insurance as they say...

Artcher, I have made many ipe selfbows and have friends who have their share as well. The first article a I wrote on ipe was about making selfbows from it. Amazon natives been doing it for thousands of years. Kowechobe's (Bob's) self bow is on the first page of my article last August, and is a great example to follow as well.

There are 100 species of the Tabebuia , or Lapacho (ipe) tree so theres a great amount of variety compared to when one says "osage" or yew for example..I have used boards with shallow run offs that held just fine. I think going slow on the tillering process, and letting the bow sit strung helps insure survival of these bows since its a compression strong wood and in a much drier climate than its normally used in.

Rich
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: snedeker on April 07, 2008, 05:26:32 pm
I did one on a nicely aligned slat on which I could with surety identify two runouts, bouth in the outer half of one limb, which I put on top.  I went 1 and 1/4" wide 66" long.  I used the technique of burnishing the back (with a big old metal spoon) to halp hold down the runouts.  It came it at 50#/27".  I don't know if the burnishing helped but it didn;t hurt.

Dave
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 08, 2008, 09:10:30 am
Thanks Rich and Dave. That gives me a better idea of what I want and need to do. -ART B

Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Aries on April 09, 2008, 05:51:29 pm
Where can you get Ipe? i have looked at a few speciality woodcrafting stores to no avail  Ty
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: stiknstring on April 09, 2008, 05:56:30 pm
I found mine at a local hardwood supplier that specializes in decking material.
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Aries on April 09, 2008, 06:07:09 pm
Well we dont have to many decking suppyers in my small town ::) I may have to give a few places in the city a call, But of course i will have to find somewhere to get some boo too :-\   Ty
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: DanaM on April 09, 2008, 06:13:35 pm
I know the feeling can't buy anything up here in the UP :(
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: stiknstring on April 09, 2008, 07:14:01 pm
i once heard about an online place called the ipe depot..you guys might try there.  Just trying to be helpful.  I might check and see what the hardwood place has here in town and then maybe I could hook you up.  I will be honest though I do not have a whole lot of faith in my board selection skills....can't read grain worth a hoot in these boards lol.
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: M-P on April 10, 2008, 03:39:59 am
The lumbar yard I frequent here in San Jose has tons of ipe in lengths to 30'.  I'm just starting to use the stuff, but the unbacked elb I recently completed is holding together well and shoots remarkably fast.  An unbacked ipe flat bow I made years ago is still doing well, too.  The older bow was just a lark when I had some "brazilian mahogany" leftover from another project.
The grain in ipe boards can be very difficult to see, much less read for run out.  If anybody is willing to trust my 'eye' and selection, I'll mill and offer some bow blanks for trade.
Ron
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Marc St Louis on April 10, 2008, 08:54:05 am
I don't see why you would want to try a selfbow with it as IPE really shines with a Bamboo backing. The bows are virtually unaffected by a humid climate, they are fast and long lasting
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 10, 2008, 11:15:07 am
I'm not really all that interested in backed bows Marc. That's kind of like cheating when it comes to hunting :-[.
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 10, 2008, 12:04:40 pm
Ill be the first one to say that the Ipe I got from Bob was far superior to anything I have sen at lumber dealers.  It makes an incredible selfbow if you can find a good enough piece.  However, I like Marc and Rich think that a bamboo backed ipe is an incredible bow. I fail to see how backing it with boo is cheating.  We know that the natives of most regions of the world build composit and backed bows for war and hunting.  I like boo backed bows for hunting.  Justin
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: bcbull on April 10, 2008, 12:07:52 pm
 guys  2 place s to get ipe  i know of ,,, justin sells it  at bowstick and rich also  has slats   hope that helps
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 10, 2008, 12:23:48 pm
Don't think you got the jest of that remakrk Justin ;D. But let me rephrase that for you, "kind of like cheating to me personally :-[.
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 10, 2008, 12:28:30 pm
Gotcha Dave.  I live in a desert with no bow wood, so what I have is by the generosity of great guys on this site and trades.  I learned to make bows by making backed bows so it is a little different to me.  I use what I can get.  ;)  Justin
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: artcher1 on April 10, 2008, 01:40:31 pm
My situation is somewhat reversed from yours Justin but similar also. I live in the middle of a hardwood forest but am unable to get out and collect my own wood anymore. So, like you, I have to depend on others for bow wood or trade for it. And you're right, we use what we can get.- ART B
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Pappy on April 10, 2008, 01:50:02 pm
Never backed a bow with anything other than rawhide or sinew but I have a nice piece of Ipe that I had thought about boo backing,may give it a try ,someday. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: M-P on April 10, 2008, 02:16:25 pm
I'm in the process of tillering a bamboo backed ipe and have plans for more, but ipe (in my limited experience) can make wonderfully fast self bows.  A little time picking out the right board saves the time and trouble of preparing and gluing on a backing.   Ron
Title: Re: Ipe board bows (unbacked)
Post by: Jesse on April 10, 2008, 10:48:45 pm
Never tried unbacked ipe. I would like to get a hold of an actual stave and not a board but I doubt it can be found without a good connection.  I dont see anything wrong with backing it. I love the way bamboo looks on a bow and it certainly doesn't hurt the performance :)   Jesse