Native American Hickory Bow Designs??

[Molson]

I was looking over some native bow designs in volume one of the "Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows, and Quivers".  Many of the hickory bows from my area were not much more than an inch wide for their entire length and had thicker limbs.  Some had carvings on the back or scallops on the side and the length was typically shorter than 60".  I have seen similar hickory bows in museums before that were near as thick as they were wide for much of their length. It's interesting that these bows seem to violate just about everything you read about making bows from white woods.

Does anyone have experience making bows similar to these? Any idea what the performance would be?  Any theories as to why these designs seemed so prevalent?

I would think bows of similar design would have a fair amount of string follow, lower cast, and be rather thumpy, yet these bows were relied upon for daily survival and obviously served that purpose well.  Interesting thoughts to ponder...

[Pat B]

You would be surprised how well they shoot. I have made a few Eastern Woodland style bows of osage. The bend through the handle bows shouldn't take any more set than any bow. The stresses are distributed through the entire bow so set should be less likely.I usually get the limbs bending well first then begin to get the handle to bend last. When I tillered through the handle to begin with I got too much bend in the handle area.

[Pat B]

...also, check out the Cayuga bow from the north. Sort of a R/D design with a bendy handle. We made a Community Bow Project at PA a few years ago and made this style bow. It shot very well.

[Molson]

Pat were you close to the same dimensions as the book on the community Cayuga bow? Did you guys make it from elm also? I like that design as well as the Mohegan bow (pg 30), hickory r/d 1" wide for it's entire length.  Those are two good examples of what I'm talking about.  Narrow limbs, a little thicker, and short(er) in length.  Very interesting designs and different from the more common white wood recommendation of wider and thinner.  So many possibilities with wood bows...  I might be hooked!

[Jeremy]

Have you ever tried working hickory with primitive or dull tools?     I think that's why the narrow and deep designs out of hickory are prevalent.  It's easier to take a sapling or branch and make a narrow deep bow than to split a log and work down a stave.  I think hickory is the only white wood that could handle it.  My .02 anyway

[Pat B]

When working with primitive tools, you do most of your reduction on green wood.
  If I remember correctly we used the same profile dimensions but used hickory. The thickness will change as to the wood and draw weight. I have pics of the bending process(my part of the Community Bow) somewhere. If I can locate them I will post a few.
All of those bows bend through the full length of the bow thus allowing for a narrower width.

[Pat B]

Here are a few pics of the bending of the Cayuga style PA Community Bow. I'm trying to find a pic of the finished product. It was very cool with coral snake skins on the last 8" or so of each tip.
This was my part of the project; bending the deflexed handle area and the reflexed outer limbs.I used a heat gun with oil. The foil wrap is to insure the heat penetrated well and I let it cool over night before unclamping.
  Sorry for the poor quality pics. That was with my first dig camera.
 
 
 
 

[Molson]

Nice Pat!  Thanks for the pics.

[Pat B]

I'm waiting for a pics of the finished bow and I will post those too.

[Pat B]

Here are a few pics of the Cayuga Bow we made for the Primitive Archer Community Bow a few years ago.
 
 
 
Tip covered with coral snake skin.

[Molson]

Great bow Pat.  Do you remember what the weight and draw length ended up being?

[Pat B]

I'm guessing about 50#@28" With our Community Bows we try to make them so most anyone can shoot them. We usually raffle them off for a good cause.

[4runr]

Tim, sounds like you are well on your way to being another addict.    

Post pics as you go, or we'll get together and see in person!

[dave_570]

Pick up The Bowyers Bible vol 1,2,3 for lots'a good
info on theses bows......I believe any books store
can get them.

[Roy Steele]

Yes these bows do violate the ways of bow making.Bot they(native people)did something to help.They barnished there bows really alot.Witch is just like backing you bows.This was done to white wood alot.I didthis to a lot of my wearly bows.And knew an old bower that did it to almost every bow.