Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Horn Bows => Topic started by: jtaylor on July 26, 2021, 08:01:49 pm

Title: Rice glue for Asiatic composites?
Post by: jtaylor on July 26, 2021, 08:01:49 pm

In a very old issue of Primitive Archer, I came across a quote attributed to Jaap Koppedrayer that Asiatic composites were sometimes assembled using rice glue.  I've never heard of rice glue for bows.  Does anyone have any info on rice glues?

Thx guys

Title: Re: Rice glue for Asiatic composites?
Post by: HanibalLecter(InnerSmile) on July 29, 2021, 04:01:54 am

Sounds Japanese. On page 240 of War Bows by Mike Loades it says that yumi laminate bows (non-horn by definition) were sometimes made with rice glue, but most were made with deer hide glue. Verify it at google books.

Yumi laminate bows bend considerably less than continental horn bows and are under a great deal less stress.

Title: Re: Rice glue for Asiatic composites?
Post by: AndrewS on July 30, 2021, 06:36:15 am

Rice glue is probably a starch glue, because rice contains a lot of starch. As long as there is no moisture involved / nearby, a starch adhesive should hold very well. Shoemakers classically take such a starch glue for the lining and other gluing inside the shoe - since the Middle Ages.

Title: Re: Rice glue for Asiatic composites?
Post by: dylanholderman on July 30, 2021, 01:56:04 pm

not bowmaking but i'm pretty sure rice glue is used to hold the skin heads on Japanese shamisen so it might be worth experimenting with.