bow materials

[ssumner1]

#7490

I have been trying to research bow limb materials to develop a solid answer to my question of which are better to use or are they indifferent in this day and age. I really love the look of Yew. I think that it makes a fine look for a bow, but would it really compare to a bow that is completely bamboo. Also, what about any other wood such as Osage. I have only been in archery in general for a very short while, and thus my wisdom is limited to say the least. What observations have you guys made when it comes to strength, speed, and durability while choosing wood to make a bow? Thanks guys for your continued help and guidance.

-Andrew

[Vintage Archer]

#62512

Andrew I am going to assume you are refering to a laminated bow with fiberglass on back and belly.
I have built laminated bows under clear fiberglass out of all the materials you mentioned and have combined yew with bamboo and osage with bamboo. I also have used action boo under glear glass . they all preform well.
I love the look of osage under glass but it does not make a real fast bow.Osage combined with bamboo core is great.
A bow made completly of yew laminations is light in hand and makes a nice shooting bow. It can also be combined with bamboo to make a good shooter.
In general i think it really comes down to what you like and how it shoots for you . It is best to try out several bows.
If you would get a chance and could arrange it the Traditional Expo in Kalamazoo Michigan in January would be a good place to see and try a lot of different bows.
There are many varibles that make a bow wood, length ,limb design ect. Some times it gets confusing
If you were not talking about a laminated bow just disregard the last 3 paragraphs:D

[ssumner1]

#63054

Yes, I was talking about the laminated bows. My brother just purchased a Tomahawk SS from 3 Rivers. It is bamboo/yew. It is quite good to look at, and I was thinking of purchasing a bow as well. I again have been looking at the Howard Hill style bows. This is why I am asking about the woods, because I would like a longbow that gives me the ability to cast a fast arrow that has a good FOC. I do like the r/d longbows which is what my brother just purchased, but I really have been looking at going a different route primarily for the fact of trying a non r/d bow. I have a recurve currently, he has the tomahawk, so I want something different. I think I will definitely use bamboo for the core, but I cannot decide if I want it all bamboo, or can I get great performance from a wood that also gives a wonderful look. AS for going to Michigan. I wish I could, but I live in Georgia. The likeliness for me to be able to get all the way up there with my current funding would be slim to none, but would be wonderful if I could pull it off.

[lee]

#10191

I have a bow made of bamboo, it is very fast, not so smooth.

My other bow has red elm limbs, very smooth, both draw and release, but isn’t nearly as fast.

That’s my 2 cents, I’m kind of a newbie too though.

[ssumner1]

#11481

Lee, that is what I am trying to find out. Does anyone know if there are any traditional bow roundups are down south similar to the ones up north where I could meet others like us, as well as see and field test traditional bows to test my preferences?

[codger]

#23492

Im really partial to Bamboo ive owned a lot of longbows and really like the lack of handshock and response of Bamboo.

My bows range from 55# to 80# about half are bamboo and glass and the others are laminated bamboo i also own a Kota Recurve in bamboo and am ordering a Kota Bamboo longbow today. Ive owned a lot of bws and the bamboo just seems to work for me.

In my experience if a bamboo bow is harsh theres something wrong.I have bamboo longbows made by five diffent bowyers and they all shoot similarly in thier smoothness and cast.

[Vintage Archer]

#23734

Andrew,

You might consider calling and visiting with several bowyers to see what they recommend. May be you could narrow down what you think you want; material, style (RD or straight limb ,wood ,ect.).

The folks at Howard Hill are helpful. I have never bought a bow from them nor am I recommending their bows but I do know they are great to work with. In the past when building bows I bought raw bamboo and yew laminations from them. They are a family company and real nice people.

May be you could talk one of the bowyers you visit with into letting you try out (test drive) a bow. I am sure there would be an expense but still probably cheaper than trying to get to a show.

[Author]

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