60 inch bendy handle-62@28

[Rileykinsel]

One of the most simple designs but my favorite bow to date. Hop hornbeam (new favorite bow wood), 60 inches and 62 pounds at 28 inches. Started out with some natural delfex but after 2 heat treats on a caul I’ve managed to retain about 1.5 inches of reflex down to about .5 after being strung and short for long periods of time. The bottom limb had an odd shape to start. It made tillering a little tricky and I was starting to really take off more material than I felt comfortable with so I ended up just leaving it with a less than perfect tiller but it shoots smooth and feels good in the hand. Less than 1.25 at the widest down to a little over .5 at the tips. Pin nocks and some tanned elk hide as a handle. Finished with trap wax applied with a heat gun. Shoots harder and faster than some of my glass bow. I’m not a fan of  super long bows so the bendy handle design is definitely my new go to. I’ve got quite a few more staves of HHB to play around with and access to plenty more. This one was only a couple months from cut stave to shooting bow.

[Honest Jon]

Riley,
This inspires me. While I have built a few bendy kid’s bows I just started on a real hunting bendy. It should be a little easier because I only need 45# @ 28”. It too will be 60” but am making a “paddle” shape or what some would describe as “willow leaf” limbs. That may complicate tillering a bit but will enjoy the challenge. I have a woods full of hickory so that’s what I’m using. Your dimensions are similar to where I’m now at but will most certainly have to thin the limbs to hit 45# compared to yours. Thanks for posting!
Jon

[Rileykinsel]

I don’t know how often I’ll be making non bendy handle bows going forward! Hope yours goes well. Would love to see some progress pictures. I was thinking about making something similar if I’m picturing the profile correctly. I’m thinking about 1-1.25 wide dead center and then straight tapering to 1.25-1.5 to mid limb then back down to .5 at the tips. I think one of the bowyers bibles has a picture of something like this labeled “Sudbury bow”

[Honest Jon]

I’ll try to post photos in the next couple of days.
Jon

[Honest Jon]

As per Rileykinsel’s request here are a couple profile photos of my in-progress bendy.
Currently:
60” OAL
10” from bow center to fades (20” fades to tips)
1.5” at fades
7/16” tips before shaping
Rawhide backing full length
(Light floor tillering at this point and hoping the rawhide backing helps hold about 1” of reflex in the last 6” of the limbs that I left a little thicker)
Nominal limb thickness 3/8”
Handle about 1” deep and wide
Log cut this past May, peeled and quartered
Reduced stave to a blank in August to speed drying
I judge the bow as not quite dry enough to finish tiller today so will try to be patient
It may seem odd that I backed this bow with rawhide before tillering but have done that on a few and it does help to hold reflex a little and reduce set…just me!
Shooting for 45# @ 28” but I’m building this for my neighbor who wants a short draw bow of this style. Hoping to end up about 40# at 23-24”. Really having fun with this build so far and was happy to see Rileykinsel’s post.
Jon [ Invalid Attachment ]

[Honest Jon]

[Honest Jon]

[Honest Jon]

With my handle just under an inch I don’t think I’ll get the nice elliptical tiller profile that Rileykinsel’s did. I may have to thin the handle further as tillering progresses. We’ll see!
Jon

[Rileykinsel]

I really like that profile! Might have to copy it for my next project.