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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: flyonline on June 17, 2020, 10:11:48 PM

Title: Brush bow/Shorty design ideas
Post by: flyonline on June 17, 2020, 10:11:48 PM

Long story short, it looks like I might have to make myself a shorty to hunt in some thick brush. I'm open to suggestions, always keen to try new things/designs/techniques so any ideas gratefully taken on board. Heck, I'm even open to thumb shooting off the knuckle with an asian style sinew/horn bow (might be next years bow though)  :biglaugh:

Specs required:
50lb minimum draw-weight (legal for deer here)
28" draw
Short length (say sub 56-58"?)

Supplies I currently have:
Osage in staves/boards
Red Oak
Lemonwood
Boo backing
Various Australian timbers in stave/board form

First iteration I was thinking boo backed osage holmegaard, but I think I want to keep the tips fairly stout for pushing through rubbish, bashing through blackberries etc. Can't say I'm in love with static recurves with short tips, but if that's what it takes....

Thanks for any suggestions.

Steve

Title: Re: Brush bow/Shorty design ideas
Post by: KenH on June 18, 2020, 07:40:20 AM

My first thought was a Pacific Northwest style Paddle Bow under 50".  But you would have to give up the idea of a "full" draw to 28".  These bows were designed for brush hunting deer in the PNW with full draws at the draw weights between 18" and 25".

Other than that, a serious recurve is the way to get short and powerful in the same package.  Tons of designs for short recurves that are one piece, not those bolt-on limb things.  You can build a 48"  forward handle 'opened' Turkish style bow using an old school open form with rubber bands or even C clamps, like the one in this picture.  If it were me, I'd make the recurves closer to 90 degrees...

Title: Re: Brush bow/Shorty design ideas
Post by: Shredd on June 18, 2020, 07:12:23 PM

Look up the Shrew bow...  I think that is a successful design...

Title: Re: Brush bow/Shorty design ideas
Post by: flyonline on June 24, 2020, 05:51:36 AM

Thanks guys, some options there. Like the look of that Shrew though....