Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Horn Bows => Topic started by: sleek on October 09, 2019, 04:36:52 pm

Title: Horn bow backing options
Post by: sleek on October 09, 2019, 04:36:52 pm

Obviously sinew is used to back horn, but why? I have seen bamboo backed horn bows that flat out smoke anything I have ever shot. Could horn be used on other tension strong woods like elm? Could horn be used as a belly on osage? I'm not specifically speaking of ONLY the horse bow look either. Any style bow.

Title: Re: Horn bow backing options
Post by: DC on October 09, 2019, 05:04:32 pm

I think so. Since most woods are tension strong it's the belly that needs help. BowEd made conventional looking bows with horn bellies but I'm not sure if all of them were sinewed. I've had it in mind to make a boo backed something with a horn belly.

Title: Re: Horn bow backing options
Post by: bownarra on October 11, 2019, 01:41:20 am

Why - horn can tolerate upto 8% deformation as can sinew.
Show me any piece of wood that can handle even a 2% stretch.
When you have heard as a wood as 'tension strong' then what it actually means is that the wood is resistant to stretching. NOT that it can stretch further.
You could make a wood bow with a horn belly BUT the important question is WHY would you? Then ask yourself why nobody else has made one...…;)