From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
I have an old self bow that was given to me. I would like to know if this is a Native American style or design. The bow is 64” long and the limbs are Radiused on the belly side all the to the tiny tips. The handle is Radiused as well. Here are some pictures of this bow. Starting with the tips.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From: fdp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Just a selfbow with a radiused belly.
Nothing about it really makes it stand out as a special build. Could have been of Native American manufacture, or not.
As far as whether or not it has a Native American design, many native people's built and used bows of that style.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Well the reason I asked Frank. All the modern made self bows I have come across all have flat limb Designs on the belly side of the bow. This is the only Bow I have ever had in my hands to examine well. I’m guessing most self bow guys got away from this design because the flat limbs preform better?
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Well the reason I asked Frank. All the modern made self bows I have come across all have flat limb Designs on the belly side of the bow. This is the only Bow I have ever had in my hands to examine well. I’m guessing most self bow guys got away from this design because the flat limbs preform better?
|
|
From: PEARL DRUMS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Radiused or flat bellies involves many factors. Wood species, design, and backing material on hard backed bows. FYI, that bow doesn't look healthy, the bottom limb is wonky.
|
|
From: Steve P
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
I can't make out from the pictures, is the radius on the belly or the back?
Steve
|
|
From: Bassman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Dean Torges called that type of bow facet tillered. Flat back with rounded belly. If you make a crowned back bow with a flat belly the results will be basically the same if they are both tillered properly.
|
|
From: fdp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Well the performance aspect is an interesting thing.
Folks did get away from the radius on the belly for a number of years.
But, a number of selfbow guys like Dean Torges preferred that design. So a lot of it probably comes down to personal preference.
|
|
From: Bassman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
English long bows are typical of that bow limb shape.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Profile strung. I have no idea how old this is. Or what wood it was made from.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
I have pulled it back to full draw. Very smooth and no creaking noises.
|
|
From: Runner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Looks just like a home made selfbow from a bygone era more than anything.
The slightly more bent lower limb is pretty common in old bows overly strained in the bottom limb from shooting and being left leaning in a corner.
The way the nock is cut looks a bit risky but it's hard to see the grain in this bow.
Do you have any idea of the wood type? What's the visible grain like?
|
|
From: PEARL DRUMS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
looks very hickory like.
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Don, all of my selfbows and backed bows have had radiused bellies. I plan the degree of radius of each of them depending on the wood's capabilities and other design considerations. Some like osage and yew can be narrow and very rounded, while others like hickory, hophornbeam, elm, and cherry are wider and thinner, but they're still completely curved, no flat area on the belly anywhere.
The closest I've came to a flat belly on a selfbow was on a vine maple bow from a small diameter tree, which gave it a very round, highly crowned back. But even it is slightly radiused.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
No idea on wood type runner. I wish I knew more history on this one. An older gentleman. Have them to my dad as a tip. When he was a heating and cooling repair guy. My dad told me the guy was in his late 80’s that gave it to him back in the 70’s. I have another selfbow and a Galloway long bow that was made in the UK from the same gentleman.
|
|
From: Runner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Does look like aged Hickory but I was also wondering if it might be some sort of tropical wood, depending on its actual age and origin.
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Here's a hickory backed wild cherry bow. Full radius.
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Someone should remind this bow how radiused bellies always take more set, are inefficient, poor performers, and yada-yada ;^)
It's no kids bow seeing no strain either, it's 58# @ 28".
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Thanks for the input everyone. I learn something new most of the time here. Nice bow Jeff. The one I have pictured isn’t backed with anything. Just all wood.
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Gotcha, and that does make a difference.
I guess my point was perhaps, that most folks wouldn't make a wild cherry bow with a rounded belly no matter what. Many advocate at least 2" wide and flat as glass... and lots of luck.
And second, folks still make wooden bows with radiused bellies... plenty of folks.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Jeff, What the advantages of the radius belly? And disadvantages? Thanks
|
|
From: EZ Archer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
How does it shoot?
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 12-Feb-21 |
|
Mike it puts the arrow right where I’m looking every time.;)
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
Don, it's personal preference mostly as far as I'm concerned. I prefer how they look and feel and they generally seem more finished or refined, even 'sexier' if you will. I like the faceted tillering method on any bow, but especially on bows with character. It's easier to navigate those bows for which keeping things flat with hand tools is even more of a struggle than normal.
Radiused bellies flow seamlessly through the dips and handle shapes I prefer. In doing so, I believe the stresses there are distributed laterally and longitudinally in such a way to minimize the chance of glued on handle pieces popping loose. Bows with no corners may be a little more durable as they don't seem to suffer the finish marring and dents and dings perfectly flat bows do.
I don't know about any disadvantages in performance, but if there are, they're probably minimal, and in my opinion not worth the trade offs.
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
Thanks for sharing that information Jeff. Would you recommend a newbie to do his first self bow attempt. With a radiused belly or a flat belly? Which is easier for the beginner ?
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
Thanks for sharing that information Jeff. Would you recommend a newbie to do his first self bow attempt. With a radiused belly or a flat belly? Which is easier for the beginner ?
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
Thanks for sharing that information Jeff. Would you recommend a newbie to do his first self bow attempt. With a radiused belly or a flat belly? Which is easier for the beginner ?
|
|
From: D.Lewis aka tonto59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
Thanks for sharing that information Jeff. Would you recommend a newbie to do his first self bow attempt. With a radiused belly or a flat belly? Which is easier for the beginner ?
|
|
From: Jeff Durnell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
I don't think it matters as far a success is concerned. When I'm teaching them, they do radiused, because that's how I make them and what I'm most familiar with. My first bow was radiused, and I had no help, just Dean's book. It's ugly as sin, but still shoots today.
|
|
From: Runner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
A happy medium may be easiest and give the best of both worlds. A wider bow limb and a lenticular profile which is between the two extremes.
Depending on wood choice too.
|
|
From: fdp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: 13-Feb-21 |
|
I know for me if I start with a stave that has a peaked belly I find it easier to make a radiused or lenticular shaped belly.
I knock the peak off the middle, then blend in the corners that creates, and then repeat.
When I make my short Juniper bow most of which are made from split limbs it is easier to leave the belly flat.
|
|
If you have already registered, please sign in now
For new registrations Click Here
|
|
|