Primitive Archer

Nice bow!

You could reduce mass by making pin nocks.

Quote from: Pat B on December 04, 2022, 12:34:47 pm

Ed, I haven't tested the weight lately and it really doesn't matter at this point. I can tell by floor tillering it will be lighter than a hunting weight bow. If I can get my finished sinew backed bow to come out at 40# to 45# I'll be happy. I will also be adding a thin rawhide backing over the sinew. My main concern is getting the overall bow tillered well and adding a good sinew layer to it. I can still go back and heat treat more before sinewing.

In your picture I seen you had this bow close to your full draw tillering.Personally I don't like to stress the wood hardly at all before sinewing.I try to not go past 20" drawing it.Then extrapulating a ball park estimate within 5#'s of what the draw weight will be at 28" or your full draw.Then with the knowledge of knowing what depth sinew will give the bow I can usually get within 5#'s of full draw weight while needing to remove very little wood from the belly while tillering.
I think it gives the bow prospect the best chance to be a very efficient bow broken in.
I've found reheat treating numerous times does'nt actually help much.Once it's stressed the stress goes deeper than just the surface on the belly along with the stretching on the back.Even though sinew goes over the back.

This is what I’ve been finding as well. +1 for what Ed said.  I usually get just past brace then sinew it.  Ed’s right on this from what I’ve noticed in my bows.  I stick with 50% wood/25%sinew/25%horn.  On wood and sinew only bows it depends on the width of the limbs but generally a standard flat bow 60%wood/40% sinew by thickness.    Stressing the wood prior to sinew puts more stress on the sinew then there needs to be.  Having a balance share of stress on the combination of sinew glued to the unstressed wood core makes for a better more efficient bow in the end.  Looking good so for pat.  Lookin forward to rest of this build. 

I’ve got some hickory staves if your looking.  Dm me if your interested in a trade perhaps.  You might have enough to work with there anyway on your stave. 

Thanks mike!   

It’s good to take a break, let it rest, then exercise 20 or 30 pulls, then recheck things before shaving off more. I have a problem not knowing when to walk away, then making a mistake.