Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bamboo-Bows on August 06, 2021, 05:15:12 pm

Title: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: Bamboo-Bows on August 06, 2021, 05:15:12 pm
Hi Primitive Archers

Some pictures of a new bamboo five curve I recently made. The bow draws 57lbs at 32 inches and is made from bamboo and hardwood. After all these lockdowns the past years I have to get back and train to be able to shoot these bows in properly.

Build with a bamboo back and belly, the core is made from laminated strips of bamboo, greenheart and black locust. The bamboo is fire hardened over a coal fire. I love combining a good BBQ and bamboo roast! I twisted multiple colours dyneema into a 12 strand string.

The bow is stained to a dark brown finish with a homemade stain from Osage scraps put into some water and ammonia. After that I applied some rattan decorations and a handle of hemp rope. This rattan is very thin and is brittle but becomes a little more pliant to work with once you let it soak in water. After the rattan is placed and dried, it shrinks to a tight fit. The arrowpass is a strip of stingray leather, it is very durable and always makes it easy to spot the top limb.

During sanding and polishing of the horn nocks a nice surprise came up that was unexpected. The horn shows a slight white/transparent layer. Really cool how natural stuff like this can still surprise you.
I wonder how that came to be, anybody got ideas about that?

Thank you for watching, cheers!


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361184263_16e789ae25_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfBuFH)South indian brace (https://flic.kr/p/2mfBuFH) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51360971451_f198d325af_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfApqx)Foto 25-07-2021 14 46 33 (https://flic.kr/p/2mfApqx) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361972990_3b2f0585f8_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFx9s)Top nock (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFx9s) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361690569_9aacb0503d_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfE6c8)Side view (https://flic.kr/p/2mfE6c8) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361973405_f980b235d9_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFxgB)Handle south indian (https://flic.kr/p/2mfFxgB) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51360964331_5cc008248a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfAniM)5 curve details (https://flic.kr/p/2mfAniM) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51360205187_a3df11ec8a_o.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2mfwtD6)Bamboo 5 curve (https://flic.kr/p/2mfwtD6) by Bamboo Bows (https://www.flickr.com/photos/189784433@N07/), on Flickr


Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: Aussie Yeoman on August 06, 2021, 07:58:04 pm
Absolutely gorgeous bow!
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: superdav95 on August 06, 2021, 08:42:42 pm
Stunning bow.  Very nice work
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: bownarra on August 07, 2021, 02:59:33 am
Sweet bow :) Any idea what speed you get out of it?
Your bow has got me intrigued enough to have a go at making one...boo back and belly bow umm been wanting to do one for a while now.
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: Del the cat on August 07, 2021, 04:00:49 am
Great work :)
Del
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: bownarra on August 08, 2021, 02:09:00 am
What taper rate did you use on this one? what sort of form do you use for glue-up?
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: Aussie Yeoman on August 08, 2021, 02:58:44 am
I'm sure you get this a lot, but: how does the tillering on these work?

AY
Title: Re: Bamboo five curve 57lbs 32"
Post by: Bamboo-Bows on August 08, 2021, 09:47:42 am
Sweet bow :) Any idea what speed you get out of it?
Your bow has got me intrigued enough to have a go at making one...boo back and belly bow umm been wanting to do one for a while now.
     

Thanks Bownarra! I did not measure the speed simply because my chrono was with another bowyer haha! But previous builds shot above 175fps with 10gpp and some higher.

What taper rate did you use on this one? what sort of form do you use for glue-up?
   

The taper is something that I did not plan ahead with a regular taper rate but by trying different things and see what works best. Making many bows and trying out tapers and placed at different places, so I honestly don’t know the taper rate. :o  (lol)  It also depends on the shape when you glue it. I don’t use a form but ropes and wedges. I would try to start like that because there is no need to make multiple moulds, you can adjust the shape easily on the next build.


I'm sure you get this a lot, but: how does the tillering on these work?

AY

Hi Aussie Yeoman. I do get this question often hah! You can predict the tiller by the taper in the core and the form you glue it in. After that there are the sides where you can remove wood but not too much. I always regard it a little bit like a fiberglass bow :o where form and taper are important for the shape. Making minor adjustments to the side and only a little sanding if necessary on the fiberglass.