Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Handforged on March 12, 2020, 10:12:32 pm

Title: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: Handforged on March 12, 2020, 10:12:32 pm
No idea why I love this design but I do.  if you have some pictures I'd like to see them of Northwestern style paddle bows sinew or otherwise backed. This will be my next bow build and I'm looking for ideas from you fellers.
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: Ryan Jacob on March 13, 2020, 01:17:38 am
 I don’t have much experience yet but I’ve tried making one before. It’s really hard to keep the wide limbs flat and level, any differences in the angle of of the top and bottom limb are magnified.

There’s a youtube channel called JR’s Place that might help, he has guides on making them if memory serves me well.
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on March 13, 2020, 07:57:29 am
Check out John Riggs, fellow Michigander, he is the king of paddle bows.
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: wstanley on March 13, 2020, 11:27:45 am
Look up Yurok or Hupa bow images on line and you will get quite a few photos of historic ones.
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: High-Desert on March 13, 2020, 11:38:37 am
This is one I posted last year. It’s 52”, 53lbs@26”
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 13, 2020, 12:19:57 pm
i like them too,, :)
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: Bryce on March 13, 2020, 12:55:58 pm
I’ve got a couple that are almost at a year of drying.
When they really start picking up reflex they’re harder to tiller than they looks. Very careful and slight wood removal. Light scrapes or sanding or your 70lb bow is now gonna end up a lot lighter than you wanted.
Title: Re: Sinew backed paddle bows
Post by: Handforged on March 13, 2020, 01:25:15 pm
I’ve got a couple that are almost at a year of drying.
When they really start picking up reflex they’re harder to tiller than they looks. Very careful and slight wood removal. Light scrapes or sanding or your 70lb bow is now gonna end up a lot lighter than you wanted.
In my climate (montana mountains) they dry really quickly. Almost TOO quickly. My shoulders and elbows are a creaky mess in the last few years so something in the neighborhood of 40-45 pounds is the goal. I enjoy short bows and have made only one attempt at a paddle bow in the past and that was recently with a catastrophic failure before I could back it. I pushed a little too much too fast and paid the consequences.