Best place to start?

[Afgos]

Hi guys I've never built a bow before but I really want to try. What I would like to know is what is the best design to start with? I would like to make it out of all bamboo as I can easily get it and it has loads of power fibers. I would also like to avoid using fiberglass if at all possible. Thanks in advance. I hope to learn a lot about traditional bow building and hunting from you guys.

[Dan Landis]

Afgos, welcome to the Gang.

I have never made an all bamboo bow, but others on here have.  If you use the search function and search on All Bamboo bows you should get some info there.  I'm sure others will be along soon to help with some advice on how to get started.

[KenH]

Welcome Afgos;  I've made a number of all-bamboo bows with draw weights from 20# to 50#.  You want a culm that is not this year's new growth, but last year's mature growth.  

You'll want a culm at least 4" (10 cm) in diameter with as wide node spacing as you can find.  Ideally you want the handle centered for or less between two nodes.

You want to split the culm and use the inside of the culm as the back of the bow, with the curved outer skin as the belly of the bow facing you --  the outer rind works best in compression.  

Then you send the split down until you get a "plank" about 2" (5 cm) wide, flat from end to end on the belly (inside).  Then you shape the plan view of the bow -- bend-through-the-handle designs like the classic flat bow or pyramid or Mollegabet shapes work best.

[Afgos]

Thanks.