Horn belly?

[b.glass]

I need your opinion. Do you think that a gemsbok horn belly will make a BBO bow with grain run-off more sound?

[CaptainJ]

I would think so. The core of the bow doesn't have anywhere near as much force exerted on it as the back and belly so you would reduce the strain on it considerably.

CJ

[Aznboi3644]

why are you worried with the grain of the belly?

[rainman]

Yes.  But don't know why you are worried on belly.

[4est trekker]

Yes, Bona, that would be an excellent plan. However, it will add a lot of weight.  And you SHOULD worry about the grain of the belly to some extent.  If it runs off severely, it can sheer during compression, thus causing the back to fail.

[b.glass]

I had asked some time ago about this bow with grain run off and whether it was safe. A couple of people said that it would not be safe in their experience. So I thought a horn belly would make it safe.

[bigcountry]

It would definately take some of the strain off the belly and more on the horn.

[b.glass]

I figured if there is any question about the soundness without the horn, it would only make it better... and cooler at the same time.

[fujimo]

is it a self bow or a board bow, if a board bow, it would be real easy to add a belly lam- quite a bit less work, and maybe use the horn for a special preoject instead of a "fix"

just an idea
g'luck
wayne

[Pat B]

Bona, If I were going to build a horn belly bow I would start off with that in mind. If you are trying to increase weight, durability and even performance you can do this by grinding the belly down and adding a compression strong belly lam (glued up in reflex if desired). I know horn is very strong in compression but it is expensive and labor intensive to work with. A 1/8" thick piece of osage, glued in reflex to the belly will add more than you would think.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Bona I will send you a pm on a place to find some horn at a great price.

[b.glass]

Thank you everyone! PM'd you back Stiks.

Well, I glued this bow up atleast three yrs ago thinking that the bamboo would make the less than perfect grain ok. Then it became a bow last yr. It was going to be my trade bow. Then I got to worrying a little about the grain and when I asked, atleast one said it was not safe. So I thought I would just use it myself.

Then I saw someone's horn bellied bow and thought "how cool" . The poundage is a little low on this bow, the horn should fix both and make it special and might be my trade bow (being my first with a horn belly and I haven't seen anyone make one for the trade before).

Pat,I have used your belly lam idea on another bow already and it's working out pretty well for my first try at that. I don't mind the extra work when it ends up good.

I have the horn already ordered. My personal opinion is that it will make a good bow but I am not as experienced as some of you and I just want to be sure.