Bow build

[cmdevans]

Its been a while since I have done any archery, but lately I have been feeling the urge to shoot a bit. I have a few longbows, but wanted to experiment a bit with some different styles of bow.

Using what I had laying about the shop, I came up with materials: Red oak limb, Walnut Siyahs, Mahogany handle/riser.

Still in the tiller/shaping process, but at the point that I need to wrap the siyah joints and the limb/riser joints. I am also planning on backing the bow with rawhide.    

For what its worth, I fully expect this bow to turn out poorly or break during tillering.  I've never liked red oak, and consider it framing lumber or firewood.  Couple my distaste for the oak with an untried bow design, and I would imagine that the whole thing will explode at some point.

At least I'll learn something though.

     
   

[Pat B]

Well you won't know unless you try. d;^)

[KenH]

I've successfully built several bows of similar design.  My only comment is that I think your handle is twice as long as it needs to be.

[cmdevans]

I agree about the handle.  I thinned it down quite a bit.

The siyahs are gone.  I reglued them twice, but they weren't holding.  so the bow is more of a longbow now, with a very strange look to it.  I'll have to see what I end up with.