Selfbow

[mpolk]

Could someone please define what it takes for a longbow to be a selfbow?

[ozarkcherrybow1]

Made from a single piece of wood, though some may say "made from all natural materials", which allows bamboo or other backed bows to be considered selfbows. No fiberglass....hope that helps....Terry

[wingnut]

The term selfbow is best described as a self backed bow.  Meaning that the wood provides the backing for the bow.  A bamboo backed bow would be a laminated bow if like materials are used.  Bamboo and wood are close enough to be called "like material".  A horn bellied bow is a composite because it is made dissimular materials but yet is "all natural".

Mike

[mpolk]

Thanks for the information!  One more question if I may, can a selfbow have a shelf.

[the Ferret]

If you insist  

[George Tsoukalas]

Sure but then it's a shelfbow according to Naked in NH or whatever he uses a for a moniker now.    Jawge

[Little Tree]

A Self-Bow is simply a bow made of a single piece of wood.

[Tree man]

Originally posted by Little Tree:
A Self-Bow is simply a bow made of a single piece of wood.

That is a good , widely accepted definition....but technically  any single material, non-laminated bow qualifies. I have several fiberglass selfbows that were moulded as cheap durable kids bows.-Of course kids tend to get more excited about a wood selfbow but those red green and yellow f glass bows are great  starter and camp program bows.

And.... spliced billets have always been regarded as self bows despite being made from twi pieces of wood-each limb is after all  a "self" limb. and... a hickory veneer or rawhide  backing may enhance durability but adds no performance to the limbs so most still consider them self bows. IMO sinew backing deserves to be designated differently as a reinforced bow or Natural materials composite because it changes the capabilities and performance compared to what  the wood alone is capable of.

A preposition is a part of speech which I enjoy ending a sentence with.