Primitive Archer

IMO the only generalisation you can make about Yew is that you can't make generalisations!
I used to use simulation programs and computer stuff when I designed electronics, and its all well and good.
But for making bows, is it "primitive"?
I was going to post my latest flight bow (boo backed yew) but the plywood riser is held together with screws, so I decided it was not primitive enough.
If we use the mass principal (and I don't so maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick) doesn't that pretty much account for density ring count etc?
Anyhow, the properties of a stave can vary along its length (even across its width!), and surely that's the challenge of working with wood?
It all seems a bit of overthink to me... after all, you can only use the wood you have! it's no good pining for some perfect piece that is half way round the world with extortionate shipping.
Maybe I'm just a jaded old git?
I'm not "anti" using the software, just beware its limitations, and its not for me.
Del

Very cool bow, David. Interesting build along.
 I've seen other bamboo self bows but they had the power fibers(outside) as the belly but I can see how the hollow belly style works for your bow. 

Thanks Pat.  I’ve actually tried a couple of those too.  They are great for hastily made survival bows.  I did not see the same performance though.   

Very cool.  Clay Hayes did a video a year or two ago where he went to a tropical island, made a bamboo self bow with a snake plant fiber string, killed a pig with it, and cooked it in a primitive bamboo pressure cooker!   

So yeah, I guess it can work.  Yours looks a lot prettier than his.

Thanks WB.  I’ll have to see if I can find that video by clay.  I’m a huge fan of his work! 

Awesome bamboo selfbow, Dave! I love the splice and handle work!

Couple questions…What are the dimensions (length) on your handle and fades?  Any concern with the handle popping off or will the deflex in the handle help with that?  I’ll be watching to see how this one turns out for you.

Thanks Willie.  Ya the handle section is 10” long and mirrors the limbs width at widest part which is 2 1/4” wide.  The bow is closer to 58.5” long ntn. The splice was 3.5” z splice. This I my second time doing this with bamboo and the first one didn’t explode so I hope this one survives.  I had pretillered the limbs prior to glue up so it should be close.  I’m guess and hoping at least 50lbs at 28”.  It’s basically a very wide pyramid type I guess. It may yet be the most crazy interesting bow for me yet if it survives. 

Looks like we are getting it again this weekend. Last weekend, ice and sleet. this weekend they are predicting 4-6" of snow, that's unusual for here in SC. But, the good side, looks like they fixed Global Warming!