Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Boro on July 04, 2008, 11:08:04 am
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Could a hornbow be made using deer horn (it is not a horn really) if straight enough could be found?
Boro ???
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Boro, Native Americans did make elk antler bows(sinew backed) but I believe they were mostly ceremonial. I believe some of the Arctic tribes made bows using caribou antlers with sinew cables for backings. With all the work involved I believe I would opt for real horn and not antler. Others may have different ideas about this. Pat
ps. Welcome to Primitive Archer!!! 8)
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Jim Hamm and Reginald Laubin both have written about making elk antler bows, and if I remember correctly, both seem to agree that they're a pain in the butt to make and don't really perform all that well when you get them made.
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i'm sure robustus has made one. he's the one to ask.
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I've never made one.....but the ones I've seen are more sinew than horn. Maybe 80% sinew?
To answer your question, yes, I think it would work. And who says you need to make a full sized bow? Try a miniature...maybe 16" long with 8" draw length?
Just like any critter tastes good with enough butter on it.....I think any bow will work with enough sinew on the back. ;D
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actaully fellows ,you have to make several of the antler bows to get the hang of them,my first three were totally wack,a waste of a lot of good sinew and elk antler.basically i soaked the antlers for two weeks.after cutting out the limbs,they will be very soft and supple,you can almost bend them to a knott.after getting the bends in the limbs i added a thin hickory core then sinew .they have to be a little larger in size than most composites, the last two i made came out really nice,shot good,the physical weight was a liitle much though.and you have to baby them a little more than other bows too.their quite much more eidible to varments.the ram horn bows are my favorite of all,a lot more challenge to build.
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Well guys, thanks for Your replys, that question poped into my mind becaouse in my country it is a bit hard to find horns and tendons (bowhunting is forbidden here) but antlers are everywhere :)
I guess I will gather some expirience with selfbows first and than maybe some day :P
Thanks anyway
Boro
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actaully fellows ,you have to make several of the antler bows to get the hang of them,my first three were totally wack,a waste of a lot of good sinew and elk antler.basically i soaked the antlers for two weeks.after cutting out the limbs,they will be very soft and supple,you can almost bend them to a knott.after getting the bends in the limbs i added a thin hickory core then sinew .they have to be a little larger in size than most composites, the last two i made came out really nice,shot good,the physical weight was a liitle much though.and you have to baby them a little more than other bows too.their quite much more eidible to varments.the ram horn bows are my favorite of all,a lot more challenge to build.
i think BooRoo (and i) would not mind if you posted some (extremly detailed) pictures of these bows!!! ;D ;D ;D
frank
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I concure heh heh ;D