Author Topic: Native American bow build challenge and showcase  (Read 79936 times)

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Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #60 on: September 06, 2016, 06:11:33 pm »
Dictionary-  Great question....I don't have a good answer yet.  This will be the first Persimmon bow if I can coax a bow out of it so it is somewhat a trial at this point.  I would like to get it to 24-25 inches.  The wood is very dense and I think at 1 3/8 inch wide I should be able to get 45 lbs, if I can keep it together.  I think it will work out, I'm just flying a bit blind on it.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2016, 09:31:59 pm by SLIMBOB »
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline sleek

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #61 on: September 06, 2016, 06:21:12 pm »
Persimmon makes a great bow. Made one before and it really didnt take much of a sapling to produce heavy draw weight. It loves a good heat treat too.
Tread softly and carry a bent stick.

Dont seek your happiness through the approval of others

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #62 on: September 06, 2016, 06:29:28 pm »
For sure on the heat treating.  I toasted this one yesterday.  Seems to really hold its shape well.
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline dylanholderman

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #63 on: September 06, 2016, 11:32:19 pm »
Here is going to be my attempt for this challenge.
The second bow shown here, a sinew backed hickory bow from " North American bows, arrows, and quivers"
 now I don't have any hickory so I'm going to use HHB. I'm also going to make it longer than the original so that I can have my normal draw length, original was 3' 5"/41" my stave is 4' 2"/50"
so far I have about 30min of work into it all done so far with the knife in the pics with it ;D current Sizes are about 1 1/2" wide and around 1" thick give or take, it started about twice that size.






Offline Tower

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #64 on: September 07, 2016, 06:35:42 am »
A few years ago PA had several issues on Native American bows & arrows held by the Smithsonian .I believe many were captured by soldiers after a battle
Unfortunately I do not know the issue #s.
All were great articles
He who sacrifices freedom for a security deserves neither one.  Benjamin Franklin!

Offline MWirwicki

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #65 on: September 07, 2016, 08:37:11 am »
I think I'm going to have to get into this one also.  Sounds like fun.  I'll peruse my books and come up with my challenge.
Matt Wirwicki
Owosso, MI

Offline High-Desert

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #66 on: September 07, 2016, 09:14:13 am »
The treasures of the Smithsonian was the Native American bows articles. I just ordered the back issues a few weeks ago after some research trying to find them. They are volume 18 if anyone wants to know. I would love to see more articles like that in PA with bows from museums.
Eric

Offline Redhand

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #67 on: September 11, 2016, 02:57:47 pm »
Here is what I have going on so far.  Its a all heartwood sinew backed yew.
Northern Ute

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #68 on: September 11, 2016, 06:11:28 pm »
Good looking stick Marlen.
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline Redhand

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #69 on: September 11, 2016, 09:07:53 pm »
Thanks slimbob I don't know what I'm going with it yet. I'll start to tiller it slowly and see which way it wants to go.
Northern Ute

Offline SLIMBOB

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #70 on: September 11, 2016, 09:29:11 pm »
That sound like how most of mine start off.   8)
Liberty, In God We Trust, E Pluribus Unum.  Distinctly American Values.

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #71 on: September 12, 2016, 03:38:56 pm »
I'm in. I pretty much build Lakota bows exclusively so you know what I'll be posting.

Well, duh!  No matter what style you build, it will be a Lakota bow, silly feller!

Lemme know if you want another piece of that yeller wood, feller, I got a couple more pieces that need homes. 
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline Dictionary

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #72 on: September 15, 2016, 08:59:12 pm »
Progress pics anyone? I'm watching this thread with interest.
"I started developing an eye for those smooth curves as a young man.  Now that my hair is greying and my middle spreading I make bows instead."

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Offline Oglala Bowyer

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #73 on: September 16, 2016, 04:22:48 pm »
Ya got me JW.  I suppose I better take a pic of the finished product of the yeller wood you got me.  By the way, your darn tootin I need more yeller wood.

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Native American bow build challenge and showcase
« Reply #74 on: September 16, 2016, 11:23:59 pm »
Ya got me JW.  I suppose I better take a pic of the finished product of the yeller wood you got me.  By the way, your darn tootin I need more yeller wood.

You know how to reach me...
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.