Can I do a "primitive" bow this way?

[Ruan Carvalho Bosque]

             
Can I do a bamboo backed ipe bow this way?

[Robertfishes]

very nice video.

[KenH]

Rulan -- Yes, if you have an Ipe tree handy that you can cut down, split out a stave, and cure.  Also a stand of 6-8" diameter bamboo nearby from which you can harvest a year-old culm to split and shave into a backing strip.

Wood-wood composite bows have been made for thousands of years -- by the Chinese and other Asian cultures -- from pieces glued together by fish or hide glue, then covered in bark or spiral wrapped with silk thread to protect them from moisture as the glues were not waterproof.

You want the back of the stave or main bow, and the inside face of the bamboo, to be very flat so that you get good glue adhesion.

Today you can use Smooth-On EA-40 -- the same glue we use for wood-glass composite bows -- rather than fish or hide glue.

[Ruan Carvalho Bosque]

Originally posted by KenH:
Rulan -- Yes, if you have an Ipe tree handy that you can cut down, split out a stave, and cure.  Also a stand of 6-8" diameter bamboo nearby from which you can harvest a year-old culm to split and shave into a backing strip.

Wood-wood composite bows have been made for thousands of years -- by the Chinese and other Asian cultures -- from pieces glued together by fish or hide glue, then covered in bark or spiral wrapped with silk thread to protect them from moisture as the glues were not waterproof.

You want the back of the stave or main bow, and the inside face of the bamboo, to be very flat so that you get good glue adhesion.

Today you can use Smooth-On EA-40 -- the same glue we use for wood-glass composite bows -- rather than fish or hide glue.

Can I do it using that wood?   http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=001826;p=0

[LittleBen]

You can make any style bow you can imagine with bamboo and ipe if you have the skills and patience.

If you want to try to make a bamboo backed ipe using only primitive tools, I think you are going to need a lot of time getting those pieces smooth for gluing together.

Can you be more clear about what exactly you are trying to do?

[ColonelSandersLite]

Originally posted by KenH:
Today you can use Smooth-On EA-40 -- the same glue we use for wood-glass composite bows -- rather than fish or hide glue.

I'm not sure I see the point of making a bow with primitive tools only to use modern adhesives.  IMHO, such a bow would be more about the journey than anything else.  If it's more about the end result, I would tend towards using modern tools.  Your mileage may vary though.

[John Scifres]

How much bowmaking experience do you have?  I have done around 200 bows including many bamboo backed bows, as well as bows made only with a hatchet and I could not do it.

If you are asking if it can be done, then yes.  If you are asking if you personally can do it, then I would say the answer depends on many factors.  My guess would be no.

But you can try.  Experimenting is fun.  Take us along.

[Ruan Carvalho Bosque]

I only have money for the materials not for tools,
and I was thinking if that ipe board  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=48;t=001826;p=0
is wide enough?

[Pat B]

That ipe in the link is plenty wide enough. I've seen boo backed ipe bows that were only 3/4" wide and still pretty high draw weight.

[Ruan Carvalho Bosque]

My doubt is if that ipe board is wide enough for the handle .

[LittleBen]

The ipe in that link has enough thickness for the handle. It is a good size to building a bow.

The bamboo will need to be flattened on the inside so that it fits against the ipe. This requires tools.

If you have no tools or only a few tools then I would suggest cutting a tree down and making a bow from a stave.

Lastly, isn't ipe available in Brazil? Seems silly to buy ipe from the US since it grows near you.

[White hair]

I have made arrows with only stone tools. One bow with only a corn knife. They shoot good. The bow is mulberry.

[Msturm]

Look your Ipe over very carefully for pin knots. My last Bamboo Backed Ipe bow blew up on me about half way through the tillering process. ( Get it slightly wet when inspecting the pin knots can be seen much clearer that way)

[ColonelSandersLite]

The below is only my opinions, so take that for what it's worth.

It is obviously possible to make a bow with some very primitive tools, but using some simple modern hand tools will make the project much easier, especially for a first time project.

Bare minimum required would be a good piece of wood, a coping saw, a 4 way rasp, good rope, some sort of finish, some method of applying the finish, some scrap 2"x4"s, and a good knife. Personally I don't think I'd want to sit there with a 4 way rasp and carve a bow though. I would also recommend a plane, a medium-large halfround file, a medium-large halfround rasp, a small chainsaw file, a small pulley, a hook to attach the pulley to, and sandpaper as a basic starter kit.

If starting from a log instead of dimensional lumber, you would also need an axe and wedges.

It is certainly possible to use stone age equivalents only, but this would increase the difficulty of the project substantially.


I hesitate to do this, but I think that fair warning should be made.

You mentioned price, and seems you don't know much of anything about making bows so it may be a leap, but I suspect that maybe you're interested in making your own bow to get into archery as cheaply as possible.

If this is the case, I suggest you stop right there.  From what I've seen, the odds of your first few bows being decent aren't that great.  It is very frustrating trying to learn how to shoot with a bow that doesn't shoot straight.  I know this from experience.  When you factor in the material and tool costs it will take you to finally work your skill level up to make a decent bow, and some decent arrows, it would probably be cheaper to get a used bow from somebody else.


If, on the other hand, you're after the satisfaction of conquering personal goals like I am...  That's a completely different story and I would heartily recommend pursuing it.  Every milestone is simply exhilarating.

[John Scifres]

For a composite bow like this, a hand plane would be your best investment.  The most critical part of this is mating the surfaces, followed closely by accurate thickness of the back and belly.  In the end, it is very advanced work and best saved for a time when you have more experience.

[White hair]

ya know this has gotten me thinking about making new stone age tools and starting from scratch.
If I do I will post pictures as I progress .

[KellyG]

I like it. And as far as tools need for a self bow not much. stave use half a pair of scissors  as a scraper and a hatchet for the hog work. Draw knife  is better. And a bow can be done. I did my first shooting bow that way. Draw knife not hatchet. But the scissors work. Heck I still grab then when I don't feel like burnishing my scraper. Took me a year but I scrap mine to floor tiller. And that takes time. Plus I work on them here and there. You rush any part and you can just chop it up  now,for fire wood.

[White hair]

I have been thinking again here. If we will think stone age we may find the answer. Stone tools, so you do not cut a big tree. Cut the one that will meet the need. Soup can sized one. You would be familiar with which one works the easiest . White wood ? I have been doing 18th century native American since 92. Worked hard at using only what is available, up to contact with Europeans . So this could be an adventure.