Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: legend on August 22, 2025, 09:58:45 am

Title: questions about Bamboo back and belly bows
Post by: legend on August 22, 2025, 09:58:45 am

Hello all ,
Just so I can understand fully , maybe some members here can help me out .
Wanting to build a Bamboo back and belly bow roughly in the style of an American Flat bow , I know roughly the sizes and dimensions I need : so first question ,
Can you build this type of bow without an inner core wood ( laminate ) ? just the two pieces of bamboo ? any advantages  ?
If I want to put a slight recurve at the tips of the limbs ,  is it best to do each piece of bamboo separately or do it once glued up ?
Making the bow this way could I leave a riser out and just make a good job of wrapping the handle area with rattan wrap  ? or would I have to build the handle area up ?
Thanks all .
Also is it best to heat treat the belly on the outer surface or inner surface ?

Title: Re: questions about Bamboo back and belly bows
Post by: Bob Barnes on August 24, 2025, 04:23:03 pm

There are likely lots of videos about this type of bow.  I normally don't give advice as there are lots of experts on this site that can and will do that.  I have only made a couple of bamboo back and belly bows.  I made one 62" and the other was 64".  Both were about 1-1/8" wide at the fades, and 3/8" at the tips.  I made a non-bending riser on both by adding a 14-16" power lam between the pieces of bamboo and then added the grip piece.  I didn't make recurve tips on mine but glued them into a DR profile.  If you do recurve the tips, pre-curve the bamboo.  Knowing that you shouldn't use heat on the "back" piece, I'm guessing you would use steam.  As far as the belly goes, I always heat treat the power fiber (outside) of the belly, but never the back.  These are just my thoughts on it.  Good luck.

Title: Re: questions about Bamboo back and belly bows
Post by: legend on August 25, 2025, 11:21:23 am

Thanks for those tips Bob .

Title: Re: questions about Bamboo back and belly bows
Post by: Pat B on August 25, 2025, 12:43:41 pm

I agree with Bob. I've never made a boo back/belly bow but have talked to folks that have. I have one given to me by James Parker 2 years ago at the Tenn Classic and one by Venson Minor given to me many years ago.
 The belly can be scorched pretty heavily but the back shouldn't be. I think you can use dry heat(heat gun, etc) but only heat enough to get it bending but not scorched.