cRPG

Off Topic => General Off Topic => Topic started by: Jeade on April 24, 2015, 10:58:00 pm

Title: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 24, 2015, 10:58:00 pm
jk

Actually, I need your help, cRPG community.
God knows why the fuck I'm actually asking you all, but I need your advice.

Over the last few months, I spent an unreasonable amount of time making a bow.
This was the first time I've actually attempted to make a bow outside of my experience as a little kid tying strings on bendy sticks and shooting tomato stakes at friends.
Everything was done using hand tools on a rickety ladder, some glue, and linen (for backing), and I've recently finished (mostly) the tillering process.

While I was tillering, though, I noticed this bow was incredibly weak, and realized I'd made it too long.
My issue was that I figured, well, the longer the bow, the smoother and easier the draw, so why not take it to 80 instead of something a little more typical like 68? Mistake.
It's currently 78 inches nock to nock, and for this bow to really be functional, I'd need to cut it down two inches on limb, below the current nocks, then reshape new nock points an inch further down.
That'd bring it to 72 inches (183 cm for you EU folk). It'd pull roughly 45 to 55 pounds (roughly 222 newtons or whatever the fuck kind of weight measurment you motherfuckers use in Europe).
I'd also have to grab the ol' surform rasp and cut down the side profile of the limbs to get a better taper, and this would take some time.

So, here's what I'm thinking. Two things, really:
I could either start on a new bow and work out the kinks I've had with my first, and call the first done; I learned from it, I made mistakes, and I now have the knowledge to get started on a better bow. Call it sentimental, why not?
OR
I could continue working on this bow and get a nice weight to it, finish it with sandpaper and seal it, and have a nice, functional bow.

Frankly, I don't know what to do.
I've spent so much time thinking about what to do, I probably could have already finished the damn thing.
So, I'm asking you all for advice. What do I do, cRPG?

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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on April 24, 2015, 11:04:19 pm
Can I get a poll option for I bring no relevant information to this conversation but am interested?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 24, 2015, 11:09:34 pm
Quote from: njames89 on April 24, 2015, 11:04:19 pm
Can I get a poll option for I bring no relevant information to this conversation but am interested?

Yes.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on April 24, 2015, 11:18:01 pm
Quote from: Jeade on April 24, 2015, 10:58:00 pm
Everything was done using hand tools on a rickety ladder, some glue, and linen (for backing)

Why were you standing on top of a ladder while you made a bow??? Is your house flooded?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: CALAMARI on April 24, 2015, 11:20:30 pm
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jona on April 24, 2015, 11:55:48 pm
Every summer when I've got not much else to do I typically spend my free time on some sort of crafting project. Two years back I decided to make my own bow, however I went the quick and easy route of making it out of PVC. I ended up making two. The first was simply made of two different-sized pipes cut down to size, stuffed inside one another, and then filled with a fiberglass rod to give it a little extra "oomph." This thing was roughly 4.5ft (1.5m) long, and had a draw weight of 55-60lb. That draw weight was pretty substantial imo, and the cheap arrows I bought were too flimsy to work with that amount of weight. So I learned from my mistakes and when I made my much fancier bow next, made by heating up and reshaping the PVC pipes, I went with a smaller version (modeled after a cavalry bow, it looks very similar to the horn bow in crpg) with a draw weight of only 25-30lb.

While I see that your bow is obviously much larger than either of the two I made, how is it that you find 55 lbs to be weak? My ~55lb bow could shoot arrows with enough force to snap them in half midair (as I said I was buying the cheap target shooting arrows that are rated for a max of ~20lbs of force), and when they didn't break they could go insanely far. Are you trying to make a historically accurate english longbow that you wouldn't ever be able to actually draw until you hulk out?

Anyways, to answer your question, I purposely made an easier model first, mainly to test whether or not you could make a "real" bow out of PVC. I rushed that one, and barely spent any extra time finely detailing it to make it look nice or anything. Then I used the information I gained from that one to craft my second bow, which was made in a completely different style. The second one was made by flattening a PVC pipe and then bending it around poles/bowls/round shit until it had a nice recurve to it. Then I cut a "V" in each end, bent them together and filled the gaps with epoxy. Finally I sanded the whole thing down, slapped a coat of black paint on it, threw some glued-together slices of leather onto it to make a little ledge for the arrow, and then used some black electrical tape to wrap around the grip and each end. It has a really cool kind of modern look to it, it almost looks like it is something SWAT would use if they ever ran around with bows. I'm happy with it, however after extensive use that summer It failed on my multiple times. The problem I had with it is I actually burnt the PVC in one little area when flattening it. The nice thing about using PVC though is when it fails it simply bends, the entire bow didn't splinter in my face like a fiberglass or wooden one would do. Then I just heated it up again and bent it back into place, again and again. Of course it gets progressively weaker over time with each failure, so right now I've just got it sitting in my garage, more or less just a display piece.

Even though my second bow was, well, my second attempt, I still view it as a learning experience more than any sort of final product. I started making bows out of PVC instead of wood because while I had plenty of free time, I didn't have THAT much free time. Also, I wanted to be able to spend as much time shooting targets as I was going to spend working on it, and if I had made a real bow out of wood it would have easily taken my entire summer to complete, and then I would be shipped off to school before I could have gotten around to shooting it at all. Now that I should hopefully have a lot more free time this summer, it might be time for me to put my previous bow-making experiences to good use and finally try my hand at making a bow out of wood. Long story short, I voted that you should learn from your experiences and move on to bigger and better things in the future. No reason you needed to make just one bow... if you enjoyed this process at all then you can easily turn this into a hobby, and that was merely your first attempt that you will laugh at 10 bows later.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 02:02:29 am
Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on April 24, 2015, 11:18:01 pm
Why were you standing on top of a ladder while you made a bow??? Is your house flooded?

Well, kinda, but the floor is lava.

Quote from: Jona on April 24, 2015, 11:55:48 pm
how is it that you find 55 lbs to be weak?

lolno, This thing is only pulling about 15 lbs. Maybe I worded that poorly in the post.
My elm bow is 45 lbs (I didn't make that one), and it's already beginning to feel like a breeze after just a few months.
55 lbs would be ideal.

Anyway, definitely give wood a shot, man.
I considered PVC but didn't know how to feel about it; I'm a bit of a traditionalist and wood seemed like the only option I'd be happy with.
Anyway, just spend some quality time with a red oak board and a surform rasp.
It shouldn't take but a week or two so long as you aren't too careful. That was my problem and why it took forever.

Either way, this is definitely a hobby and something I'd like to continue doing, so this first bow really is only one bow of many to come.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jona on April 25, 2015, 02:42:24 am
Oh, upon rereading it I see that yeah, that would be the ideal draw weight... gotcha. Reading comprehension = shit.

And yeah, I plan on moving on to work with real wood soon, just used PVC first since by comparison it was not only a breeze, but also super cheap. Not sure how much a wooden bow would take to make, but the PVC bow that was made out of a single pipe was only 3 bucks at most, the other was maybe 10. If I ever make another bow I would probably aim for the 45lb range, not because my 55lb is too difficult to draw, it just kills the fingers, man.

I think if you're looking to make a hobby out of it and definitely just leave this one as-is and move on. It'll be hilarious to look back on it in the future, and it will if nothing else be there to prove how far you've come. Also what did you make your bowstring out of? Was it store-bought? I would assume not since it looks... well... not store bought. :D
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 05:30:21 am
Quote from: Jona on April 25, 2015, 02:42:24 am
Also what did you make your bowstring out of? Was it store-bought? I would assume not since it looks... well... not store bought. :D

Actually, it's partially store bought, but you'll need a Flemish string jig to get the job done.
The string I've got on there is made of Dacron B-50 (you can find that at an archery shop or 3riversarchery.com).
Basically, you get a spool of Dacron B-50 and some wax, then use the string jig to actually make a string.
It may take a try or two to get it right, but you'll get a super nice string out of it in the end.
The one I'm using in the photos is a Dacron string with a Flemish loop on one end and a simple timber hitch on the other, strictly for use as a long tillering string.

Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 25, 2015, 05:56:07 am
Man, you surely don't appear like what I would classify as a "liberal".

But I like your shoes. Nice.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Behemoth_ on April 25, 2015, 05:58:28 am
wow dude thats a sweet bow, now when some nasty dudes break into your house you can dawn the war paint and spring from the bushes and rain hell upon them
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jona on April 25, 2015, 06:12:15 am
Quote from: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 05:30:21 am
The one I'm using in the photos is a Dacron string with a Flemish loop on one end and a simple timber hitch on the other, strictly for use as a long tillering string.

Ah, so that little rat's tail dangling form the top is intentional?  :P

When I made my bow I found plenty of easy DIY strings... buy or make your own string jig, then buy some heavy duty string and some wax, and then follow steps 1-5 and you're done. However I made one of my bows to just match the bowstring that was on my dad's old fiberglass bow, and then I bough the other at a store since buying a spool of decent string woulda been more than that.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on April 25, 2015, 06:41:44 am
This thread makes me want to do a thread about flint knapping, atl-atl use, and other primitive/survival skills this summer. I'm still learning and my goal is to be able to fashion a functional (won't break after a handful of uses) spear with only found materials and no tools. I can make several decent heads for spears or throwing spears in a short amount of time (they're more like bullets than a forged sword, if you spend a ton of time making one really good one it's just gonna break when you use it). Fixing the spear/javelin head to a shaft is the part I'm not really good at.

There's something about simple weapons that are really aesthetically pleasing to me. The human form drawing a bow or hurling a javelin, muscles taught and placed just so to release energy. Some ancient Greek dudes who made marble statues agree with me.

The other thing I like about flint knapping is that for something like 90-75% of our species entire existence this was it - this was our greatest achievement. To take a commonplace, useless stone and a piece of wood and turn it into something that seeks flesh, something that can fly.

I'm also a total anthropology nerd so that might be part of it too.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 25, 2015, 06:58:28 am
Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on April 25, 2015, 06:41:44 am
This thread makes me want to do a thread about flint knapping, atl-atl use, and other primitive/survival skills this summer. I'm still learning and my goal is to be able to fashion a functional (won't break after a handful of uses) spear with only found materials and no tools. I can make several decent heads for spears or throwing spears in a short amount of time (they're more like bullets than a forged sword, if you spend a ton of time making one really good one it's just gonna break when you use it). Fixing the spear/javelin head to a shaft is the part I'm not really good at.

There's something about simple weapons that are really aesthetically pleasing to me. The human form drawing a bow or hurling a javelin, muscles taught and placed just so to release energy. Some ancient Greek dudes who made marble statues agree with me.

The other thing I like about flint knapping is that for something like 90-75% of our species entire existence this was it - this was our greatest achievement. To take a commonplace, useless stone and a piece of wood and turn it into something that seeks flesh, something that can fly.

I'm also a total anthropology nerd so that might be part of it too.

Man, I've probably said it before, but I'm sure that we could hang out, have a few drinks, and talk about myriad shit related to anthropology.

I was fortunate enough to take a basic anthropology course in college. It was taught by one of the top professors in Uganda, on "loan" to my college in GA. The man was fucking awesome.

I was a bit lazy and neglected the class (i would say it was to perform better in other classes, but it was really to play cRPG heh). I had about 10 writing assignments that I didn't do. I basically told him, and asked him what he could do for me.

He said if I could explain the concepts behind each writing assignment better than he could, he'd go ahead and give me an A in the class.

I got an A in the class. Fukken oath, I'm SURE everyone in the class would be PISSED if they found out I got a better grade than them doing literally no work.

You have any interest in linguistics? Noam Chomsky has some interesting work, particularly his "language acquisition device" theory. I find it no less than fucking mind-boggling that we could, on our own, spontaneously generate language from...what, simple grunts and body movements?

Absolutely astonishing. People don't realize how utterly amazing and improbable of a species we are. If they'd only keep it in mind, I think people would act like less of jackasses all the time.

(click to show/hide)

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Anyway, for my suggestion, I'd suggest making a new one. You've made your mistakes, and you'll make a much better one this time. Then, in the future if you make more, you'll have a tangible, physical representation of the improvement of your work!
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on April 25, 2015, 08:16:27 am
Quote from: Behemoth_ on April 25, 2015, 05:58:28 am
wow dude thats a sweet bow, now when some nasty dudes break into your house you can dawn the war paint and spring from the bushes and rain hell upon them

hahaha great image
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: ecorcheur_brokar on April 25, 2015, 09:13:46 am
Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on April 25, 2015, 06:41:44 am
This thread makes me want to do a thread about flint knapping, atl-atl use, and other primitive/survival skills this summer. I'm still learning and my goal is to be able to fashion a functional (won't break after a handful of uses) spear with only found materials and no tools. I can make several decent heads for spears or throwing spears in a short amount of time (they're more like bullets than a forged sword, if you spend a ton of time making one really good one it's just gonna break when you use it). Fixing the spear/javelin head to a shaft is the part I'm not really good at.

There's something about simple weapons that are really aesthetically pleasing to me. The human form drawing a bow or hurling a javelin, muscles taught and placed just so to release energy. Some ancient Greek dudes who made marble statues agree with me.

The other thing I like about flint knapping is that for something like 90-75% of our species entire existence this was it - this was our greatest achievement. To take a commonplace, useless stone and a piece of wood and turn it into something that seeks flesh, something that can fly.

I'm also a total anthropology nerd so that might be part of it too.

After the javelin, you could try to use it combined with a spear-thrower.  visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on April 25, 2015, 09:46:59 am
Quote from: ecorcheur_brokar on April 25, 2015, 09:13:46 am
After the javelin, you could try to use it combined with a spear-thrower. 
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That's what an atl-atl is, but the word is sometimes used to describe only spear-throwers from the Americas (central America specifically). Australia has the woomera (http://), and I'm sure many other places have their own name for that thing. It's amazing how something so simple is so effective. It's like adding another segment to your arm. Imagine a baseball pitcher with an 8 foot long 3 jointed arm... Some studies have shown that spear-throwers add up to 4 times the strength of a compound bow to your projectile. That's the stone age equivalent of augmented bodies/cyberware a la Deus Ex.

Quote from: Sandersson Jankins on April 25, 2015, 06:58:28 am
You have any interest in linguistics? Noam Chomsky has some interesting work, particularly his "language acquisition device" theory. I find it no less than fucking mind-boggling that we could, on our own, spontaneously generate language from...what, simple grunts and body movements?

I'm not too well-read on linguistics but have the same fascination on the subject as any other subset of anthropology. Trying to trace the etymology of modern day speech to the dawn of civilization millennia ago is really fuckin' cool. The origins of art, music, and religion really get me going though. Here's the oldest recorded song, from 1400BC. It's obviously not the first man-made music, but we have a complete record of how to play it from 3400 years ago. If you don't think that's the tightest shit, you can get lost.


Anthropology and prehistoric archaeology cover the birth of so many other subjects (art, technology, agriculture, theology to name a few) that it gives me shivers. Who are we? Where did every aspect of our culture come from? How did it all start? Like I said, it gives me chills to read about this shit. If it wasn't a terrible field to get into for employment I'd drop everything and go for it.

Anyway, before I spit more words everywhere and derail BOW CHAT let's try to get back on topic. Anyone ever build a crossbow? I know a few people who have a nice home improvement/craft shop thing set up in their garage. If they put the time into it they could totally make a crossbow from scratch. Semi-related, anyone ever made old-school armor before? I had a friend in college who made a chest/upper arm coat of chain mail. He had to form each individual ring by hand. It's like knitting, but with metal.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Viriathus on April 25, 2015, 01:08:55 pm
Im planning to buy some nice hickory wood plank to make my own also. Going for a round shape medieval longbow, 1,80cm and 18kg draw weight.

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Here is the oldest known writen song from start to finish, the lyrics were found chiseled in a stone collum (probably marble) by the composer himself, its possible to determine the pitch of the sounds (notes) and the rythm by studying the notations above the lyrics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seikilos_epitaph




Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Tagora on April 25, 2015, 01:23:44 pm
I already texted u what I think...that you should make me one of these holy shit you didn't say how fucking great it looked!  FUCK!
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AwesomeHail on April 25, 2015, 02:07:28 pm
Gotta love seeing some IRL archers on the forum ^.^

Jona, the horsebow is nice to use with recreational use, indeed.
I have a 25-30 pound draw weigh mongolian horsebow (did not make that one myself :| ) , but arrows I do make, as it is quite easy.

Working further on the existing one seems a better idea, making it less costly.
A friend of mine shoots with a longbow that had been shortened, and he still shoots fine after like 5 years, no prob with that.

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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Clockworkkiller on April 25, 2015, 05:23:23 pm
Ur skinny jeans make you look gay but the beard commands respect, 7/10 would bang

Also, continue working on that one, make it wicked awesome!
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Nightmare798 on April 25, 2015, 07:23:04 pm
The ammunition:



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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 07:24:57 pm
Quote from: Behemoth_ on April 25, 2015, 05:58:28 am
wow dude thats a sweet bow, now when some nasty dudes break into your house you can dawn the war paint and spring from the bushes and rain hell upon them

heh. For whatever reason, I have a feeling CA would put me in jail for using a bow to defend my place.
Probably something about it being cruel and how I should have used a shotgun or just outright surrendered all of my possessions.

Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on April 25, 2015, 06:41:44 am
This thread makes me want to do a thread about flint knapping, atl-atl use, and other primitive/survival skills this summer.

You should! That'd be fuckin' amazing!
I do agree with you that there is something aesthetically pleasing about simple weapons.
For me, a lot of it is the history behind them; just to imagine that life used to depend on such simple technology and how it shaped the world today.

Quote from: Viriathus on April 25, 2015, 01:08:55 pm
Im planning to buy some nice hickory wood plank to make my own also. Going for a round shape medieval longbow, 1,80cm and 18kg draw weight.

Very cool! You're talking about a D or C shape longbow?
I actually met a guy at the range just down the road from me a few weeks ago who had a hickory English longbow.
That guy was pulling 150lbs. The arrows he was using were about as thick as his forearms (not really, but they were intense).
Anyway, it's definitely possible to make a damn fine bow out of hickory.
If you're living somewhere humid, you'll want to back it and seal it with multiple layers of polyurethane.

Quote from: Tagora on April 25, 2015, 01:23:44 pm
I already texted u what I think...that you should make me one of these holy shit you didn't say how fucking great it looked!  FUCK!

haha, thanks Tag!
Maybe once I get my skills honed, I'll send you one.
Shit, maybe raffle one off through cRPG--we'll probably all be playing M:BG by the time that happens, though.

Quote from: HESKEYTIME on April 25, 2015, 01:46:14 pm
I call it the Lars Anderbow (though it's a bit heavy within that class)

You're just jealous that you aren't as good at archery as Lars.
Everyone knows he's not full of shit or literally retarded.


Quote from: Clockworkkiller on April 25, 2015, 05:23:23 pm
Ur skinny jeans make you look gay but the beard commands respect, 7/10 would bang

Also, continue working on that one, make it wicked awesome!

Thanks, Clock! I'm glad I'm a 7/10 in your book. That means a lot.
Next time I'll make sure to wear a furry suit for you. Hopefully that'll bump me up to at least an 8.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Dionysus on April 26, 2015, 09:55:26 am
Wow, I really should have payed attention in tech ed. All I ever did was cut my name out of a wooden block.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Sandersson Jankins on April 26, 2015, 10:13:47 am
Quote from: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 07:24:57 pm
heh. For whatever reason, I have a feeling CA would put me in jail for using a bow to defend my place.
Probably something about it being cruel and how I should have used a shotgun or just outright surrendered all of my possessions.

As far as I understand, you'd actually be in quite less trouble in Commiefornia if you DID use a bow. Of course, you'd probably have to prove that you attempted to flee, it being CA and all. But in places such as that, the actual law seems to make little difference. It's more a subjective "hey does it looks like this guy was a baby-killing mother-raping domestic terrorist gun-nut or no?"

And when you use any sort of firearm with the colour black on it, generally it becomes a high-capacity assault clipazine-compatible tactical edition mass murder special (tm) with the "shoulder thing that goes up".

Pretty off-topic post, but I like to read about laws regarding firearm use. In the county neighboring mine, there is actually a relatively recent law on the books MANDATING firearm ownership for heads of household. Of course, nobody has been prosecuted for NOT having a gun. That'd be fucking nuts.

But it's still a pretty neat little bumper-sticker type thing :^)
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 27, 2015, 12:41:24 am
Quote from: Dionysus on April 26, 2015, 09:55:26 am
Wow, I really should have payed attention in tech ed. All I ever did was cut my name out of a wooden block.

Nah, man, it's not a hard process so much as a time consuming one.
If you're not too careful but just careful enough, you could have this built in a week with a few hours here and there.
If you have some power tools at your disposal, it'd be super easy.

I simply followed this guide on how to make a red oak board bow (http://poorfolkbows.com/oak.htm).
Take a trip to Home Depot (better yet, a lumber store if you have one around) and grab a board for $7 and a Nicholson 4-way rasp for $5.
Granted, it'd be a hell of a lot easier with a few more tools, a workbench, and some clamps, but none of that's really necessary if you just expend a little extra effort.

The next bow I'm making is a pyramid bow, and it should be much easier due to its symmetry.
There's a number of forums out there if you just search around for bow making instructions.
For the pyramid bow, I'm using this guide (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002064).

Give it a shot! What have you got to lose?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Dionysus on April 27, 2015, 12:48:41 am
Quote from: Jeade on April 27, 2015, 12:41:24 am
Give it a shot! What have you got to lose?

My hands for starters...
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: SirCymro_Crusader on April 27, 2015, 04:39:20 pm
Start again.

Use your current one as a template and make sure you get the measurements correctly when you start again. If you can get hardwood and softwood (yew or elm) and combine them, or even better get them in a single piece of wood, this will make your bow;

A) More historically accurate
B) Much more durable

However, it's expensive!

Also don't tilt your neck when you're firing, can seriously injure yourself that way, trust me im a  cunt instructor
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 27, 2015, 05:55:13 pm
Quote from: SirCymro_Crusader on April 27, 2015, 04:39:20 pm
Start again.

Use your current one as a template and make sure you get the measurements correctly when you start again. If you can get hardwood and softwood (yew or elm) and combine them, or even better get them in a single piece of wood, this will make your bow;

A) More historically accurate
B) Much more durable

However, it's expensive!

Also don't tilt your neck when you're firing, can seriously injure yourself that way, trust me im a  cunt instructor

heh, yew might be a little tricky to get my hands on out here. Osage is quite common, but I don't even want to try that until I really know what I'm doing.
I'd really love to try my hand at an ELB, but I'm thinking I'll stick with the much simpler flatbow to start.

What are your suggestions on simple backings that aren't wood? Linen and silk were the two that I most considered, and they're both quite available from thrift shops.

Thanks for the advice, too! I actually shoot on quite a cant, so holding vertically felt pretty awkward to me (but best for the pictures of tiller).
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jona on April 27, 2015, 08:25:00 pm
Quote from: SirCymro_Crusader on April 27, 2015, 04:39:20 pm
Also don't tilt your neck when you're firing, can seriously injure yourself that way, trust me im a  cunt instructor

He only tilted his head out of the way since he had to wear his hat to hide his receding hairline and/or bald spot. Amirite jeade? Eh? Eh?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 28, 2015, 06:49:22 am
Quote from: Jona on April 27, 2015, 08:25:00 pm
He only tilted his head out of the way since he had to wear his hat to hide his receding hairline and/or bald spot. Amirite jeade? Eh? Eh?

...y...yes...
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on April 29, 2015, 01:06:20 am
This thread has lead me to pickup archery again. Not sure about making my own bow but maybe  :shock:
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: [ptx] on April 29, 2015, 05:16:29 am
This only makes me more sorry about not having the time to finally get into archery :(

Also posting to follow a good thread, 10/10
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AwesomeHail on April 29, 2015, 03:10:25 pm
once I get my bow back from the club I used to shoot at, I'll post a picture of my shitty bow

too lazy to go there though :|
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Siiem on April 30, 2015, 08:22:43 am
Quote from: Jeade on April 25, 2015, 02:02:29 am
Anyway, definitely give wood a shot, man.

Hee hee.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on April 30, 2015, 10:46:57 pm
So, I went ahead and cut the bow down by an inch and a half on each limb, and then cut new nocks in an inch and a half below those cuts.
It was 75" ntn (nock to nock) at this point and gained a whopping 4 lbs of draw weight, bringing it up to 16.5 lbs.
Since I was already invested in making the bow functional (thanks for your votes btw), I ended up cutting new nocks an inch and a half below the ones I'd just cut.
I've now got a pretty normal looking 72" flatbow, but again, the weight only went up by 4 lbs. The bow is now 20.5 lbs, and I'm sure I'll lose a few of those by sanding and shooting in the bow.
Wouldn't be surprised if it ends up at 16 or 17 by the time all is said and done.

Fortunately, my SO is allowing me to use her bright pink arrows to test with the bow, so I'll have a nice lightweight arrow to use.
After a few shots yesterday, I have to say that the draw on this thing is amazingly smooth, and there's zero hand shock.
Of course, it's only pulling 20 lbs, but still, I'm pretty happy with that for my first attempt that went less than ideal.

I'll update this post with a few pictures or videos of it when I get the chance.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Taser on May 01, 2015, 12:20:13 am
Fuck reminds me of when I did my thread for making a crossbow and did fuck all after I made the thread.

Very cool stuff. Keep it up Jeade. Maybe I'll get around to my crossbow at some point.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on May 01, 2015, 10:12:01 am
Quote from: Taser on May 01, 2015, 12:20:13 am
Fuck reminds me of when I did my thread for making a crossbow and did fuck all after I made the thread.

Very cool stuff. Keep it up Jeade. Maybe I'll get around to my crossbow at some point.

Get on that shit, man!
A crossbow would be WAY cooler than a bow, in my book.
I'm just not sure if I'd have the technical knowledge to actually make a crossbow.
The trigger part seems daunting.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: CzlowiekKot on May 01, 2015, 11:14:36 am
If my logic is right...

Long bow = long draw length + low-high draw force(yours is low)

  Since your bow feels too weak making it shorter will lower the draw length but increase the force needed to pull it. However, then you're sacrificing some power because you can just make a new thicker bow with equal lenght.
So... make a new one if you can.  :)
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on May 01, 2015, 11:44:20 pm
I'm looking into what I want to buy to shoot at my local archery range. Currently looking at 70" longbows and I'm wondering if I want something with 40 lbs draw or more. 40 lbs to get back into it would probably be enough, though I don't feel like buying another bow when inevitably I want that extra force.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Nightmare798 on May 02, 2015, 06:46:33 am
Quote from: njames89 on May 01, 2015, 11:44:20 pm
I'm looking into what I want to buy to shoot at my local archery range. Currently looking at 70" longbows and I'm wondering if I want something with 40 lbs draw or more. 40 lbs to get back into it would probably be enough, though I don't feel like buying another bow when inevitably I want that extra force.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is there not a way to ´reinforce´ the bow?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on May 02, 2015, 09:29:14 am
Maybe as a craftsman but certainly not by my own hand. Maybe if i went full Genghis mode and dedicated my time to bow making.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Nightmare798 on May 02, 2015, 03:43:28 pm
Quote from: njames89 on May 02, 2015, 09:29:14 am
Maybe as a craftsman but certainly not by my own hand. Maybe if i went full Genghis mode and dedicated my time to bow making.

(click to show/hide)

I mean things like tougher string, limb supports etc.

But naah, I dont even have the idea how to pull that off...
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on May 03, 2015, 10:28:53 am
Quote from: njames89 on May 01, 2015, 11:44:20 pm
I'm looking into what I want to buy to shoot at my local archery range. Currently looking at 70" longbows and I'm wondering if I want something with 40 lbs draw or more. 40 lbs to get back into it would probably be enough, though I don't feel like buying another bow when inevitably I want that extra force.

35lbs is enough to legally hunt anything in the US.
45 is enough to legally hunt anything in Canada (like maple syrup trees).
40 is totally a good enough weight to start off on.
btw, the best bow I've seen for the money is the Blackhawk from Buck Trail Bows (http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/raven-blackhawk-68.html).
If you can afford the shipping, get it.

Quote from: Nightmare798 on May 02, 2015, 06:46:33 am
Correct me if I am wrong, but is there not a way to ´reinforce´ the bow?

There is. One of the ways would be to reinforce the area around the riser ("handle") with fiberglass.
I'm not too keen on that, though, so I'll probably just try shortening it a bit more--I've determined 68" ought to be the right length ntn to get at least 30#.

If you're making a bow, I've discovered that it's far better to overshoot your weight than undershoot it.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on May 03, 2015, 08:56:15 pm
Cool I will definitely look into that.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on May 04, 2015, 06:21:54 am
Quote from: Jeade on May 03, 2015, 10:28:53 am
35lbs is enough to legally hunt anything in the US.
45 is enough to legally hunt anything in Canada (like maple syrup trees).
40 is totally a good enough weight to start off on.

Bows in that range are amazing for accurate shots on the range and legal for hunting most critters, but I'd hate to try and down a deer (not to mention moose or bear) with a bow like that. The most unsavory part of bow hunting is putting down the thing you shot after you catch up to it. Smaller stuff isn't too harrowing, but I wouldn't want to hunt large game (as a leisure activity, not strict survival shit) with a bow unless it had crazy draw strength. Even with some really deep wounds, you'd have to track your target for a long-ass time then put it out of its misery by severing some arteries/veins in the neck.

On the topic of hunting/survival type stuff, have any of you tried spear or bow fishing? Check your local laws, as this can be more restricted than gun use depending on area. It's really easy to whittle a two or three pronged spear from a piece of wood (no need to make stone/metal heads and attach them), and catching bullhead/carp/catfish is quite easy if you toss some worms or frog parts into the right bit of shoreline.

I love me some clean tasting bullhead caught from a pristine little lake up in the boonies. Just like ocean fish take on the briny/seaweed taste of their ecosystem, freshwater bottom feeders can be really tasty from the right source.

If you live anywhere with unpolluted waters that have invasive asian carp species, eat the shit out of them. Cook 'em up like a catfish, or steam them whole with ginger/garlic/scallions. In addition to a tasty and practically free meal, you will be doing your local ecosystem a huge favor.

Fuckin' carp.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AntiBlitz on May 04, 2015, 04:05:04 pm
who the fuck eats carp?


bones everywhere, tastes crappy unless seasoned to death, might as well just eat the seasoning then.  Not to mention eating carp is like eating mice out of a landfill.  Fuckin' liberals, Fuckin' carp.

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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on May 04, 2015, 04:18:48 pm
It depends on where you catch it, stuff like carp and catfish can be delicious but they soak up nasty flavors and pollutants like a vacuum cleaner.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on May 05, 2015, 01:04:16 am
Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on May 04, 2015, 04:18:48 pm
It depends on where you catch it, stuff like carp and catfish can be delicious but they soak up nasty flavors and pollutants like a vacuum cleaner.

Absolutely. Carp tear the shit out of lake beds and ingest a bunch of stuff off the bottom.
I sure as hell wouldn't eat them out here in the Bay Area with all of our mercury-bottomed lakes.

Still, though, carp can be pretty tasty.
I've never had too much trouble catching some decent sized ones in Texas, but then again, everything is bigger there, so who knows.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Sparvico on May 05, 2015, 02:23:30 am
Dat beard doe.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: WITCHCRAFT on May 05, 2015, 02:34:03 am
Quote from: Sparvico on May 05, 2015, 02:23:30 am
Dat beard doe.

???

visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: ShinySpoons on May 05, 2015, 05:55:06 am
Perhaps try adding slight reflex to it. Either heat bending  in an oven with the end through the grates  (or a heat gun for the easier way lol )or water bending it if you rig up a jig to tie it against. Good for a bit of poundage. You'll need to do a bit of tillering after however.

I don't think you stated what wood you were using. I'm using hickory for mine. 70" 34 pound draw. My first, so I'm pretty sure I overdid the tillering hence the lower draw weight. I have 3 other bow blanks from the same board to experiment with for my others. Thinking of doing a much deeper recurve on a 58". That'll be a beast. I'll take that one out if I ever go bow hunting.

The longer bows are a bitch to carry around in the woods; hence my desire to try and make a shorter one. I'll leave that one for the last when I'm better at them and figured out the recurving process better.
 

Also, I can't tell if its because of the cant but it looks like  the top limb is simply longer than the bottom limb. And raise that back elbow more :P (unless you're just doing that for the photo)
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: ShinySpoons on May 05, 2015, 05:58:32 am
Quote from: WITCHCRAFT on May 04, 2015, 06:21:54 am


On the topic of hunting/survival type stuff, have any of you tried spear or bow fishing? Check your local laws, as this can be more restricted than gun use depending on area. It's really easy to whittle a two or three pronged spear from a piece of wood (no need to make stone/metal heads and attach them), and catching bullhead/carp/catfish is quite easy if you toss some worms or frog parts into the right bit of shoreline.


Its illegal to do so in BC, but at night you can shine a flashlight into the water and just spear the carp out of anything that pops up. Some real cheap fish to be gotten from dudes selling on the roadside...
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: ArysOakheart on May 05, 2015, 08:30:50 am
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You just typed up a two and a tenth paged paper (12 font, times new roman, double spaced). I'm sorry but that's my only response.  :D
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Bronto on May 05, 2015, 03:17:56 pm
Quote from: ShinySpoons on May 05, 2015, 05:55:06 am
Perhaps try adding slight reflex to it. Either heat bending  in an oven with the end through the grates  (or a heat gun for the easier way lol )or water bending it.
 

Don't forget to try air bending it and earth bending it as well.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: njames89 on May 05, 2015, 04:12:19 pm
Found out some beautiful British Canadian convert donated a park to my city under the stipulation that they maintain a free archery range for the public. If they ever stop providing it as a free range it reverts to his estate.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Thompson_Seton

Can't wait to get my bow and hit the range!

Pew pew pew
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AwesomeHail on May 07, 2015, 05:31:58 pm
Quote from: Jeade on May 03, 2015, 10:28:53 am

btw, the best bow I've seen for the money is the Blackhawk from Buck Trail Bows (http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/raven-blackhawk-68.html).
If you can afford the shipping, get it.


Why get a recurve bow :O

Go traditional or go home

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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Bronto on May 08, 2015, 03:30:43 pm
Quote from: Jeade on May 03, 2015, 10:28:53 am

btw, the best bow I've seen for the money is the Blackhawk from Buck Trail Bows (http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/raven-blackhawk-68.html).


Weird, I really like blackhawks too. They are just so big. I had a girlfriend once who really liked blackhawks because of their size and girth. They say once you try a blackhawk you never go back. In a recent study though, it was found that blackhawks come in all shapes and sizes too. There are even websites dedicated to pictures and videos of nothing but blackhawks. Apparently they're pretty popular for their size and rigidity. Great, I'm going to be thinking about blackhawks all day now. Thanks Jeade. Glad that you love blackhawks too.
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AwesomeHail on May 08, 2015, 03:38:43 pm
Quote from: Bronto on May 08, 2015, 03:30:43 pm
Weird, I really like blackhawks too. They are just so big. I had a girlfriend once who really liked blackhawks because of their size and girth. They say once you try a blackhawk you never go back. Glad that you love blackcocks too.

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Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Bronto on May 08, 2015, 04:28:29 pm
Quote from: skeletzo on May 08, 2015, 03:38:43 pm
(click to show/hide)

visitors can't see pics , please register or login
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: LordBerenger on May 08, 2015, 05:06:27 pm
Quote from: Jeade on May 05, 2015, 01:04:16 am
Absolutely. Carp tear the shit out of lake beds and ingest a bunch of stuff off the bottom.
I sure as hell wouldn't eat them out here in the Bay Area with all of our mercury-bottomed lakes.

Still, though, carp can be pretty tasty.
I've never had too much trouble catching some decent sized ones in Texas, but then again, everything is bigger there, so who knows.

Are u rlly a Liberal m8?
Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: AntiBlitz on May 08, 2015, 05:25:50 pm
Quote from: LordBerenger on May 08, 2015, 05:06:27 pm
Are u rlly a Liberal m8?

of course he is, who else eats carp!

Quote from: Sparvico on May 05, 2015, 02:23:30 am
Dat beard doe.

???

Title: Re: Liberal Jeade IRL shooting a real 140lb Medieval Warbow
Post by: Jeade on May 09, 2015, 11:30:41 pm
Quote from: LordBerenger on May 08, 2015, 05:06:27 pm
Are u rlly a Liberal m8?

Financially left leaning, but on social issues, I'm about as far left as it gets.