horn bows

[carver]

can you use cow horn to make horn bows?

[Bob Barnes]

I've seen all kinds of horn used, I would think as long as it's long enough that it would work great...probably a better texture than some horns like gemsbok...which is used...
let us know how it turns out...
Bob

[Dmaxshawn]

Yes you can I attempted one and after I got my horns rolled out they were too short so I had to come up with another Idea.  So I put it on the back burner for a while.  

Shawn

[carver]

the highland cows have very long horns.   and the composite bows are very short.

okay i'm gonna go for it.  the cow horns i saw today were at least 18" long, and about 3/32" thick.  How wide are these bows usually made?  

In BC where i'm from we raise highland cattle, which have long horns.  From the one animal i can get achilles tendon and horn...just have to practice my joinery for the transition out of the siyah, and into the handle!  

As for the wooden/bamboo bit:  what do you guys suggest?  floor bamboo?  ash or elm?  how thick should it be?  1/4"?

Anyway, this project is gonna take a long time, but i'll get there.

[Bob Barnes]

Scottish highland horns should work great...we have a few of them here in Arkansas as well...let us see it when you are thru.  James Parker is a good one for help on these...and there was a how to article by John Sterdevant where he used gemsbok...should be in the archives somewhere...
Bob

[carver]

thanks Bob

I got your pm, about to read the article now.

[walkabout]

keep us posted if you do give it a try, ill certainly follow the build

[walkabout]

ive always thought if one could accomplish keeping the natural ridges on the gemsbok horns it would make a bow with some great character. probably not possible due to the inconsistent thickness though