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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: stringstretcher on August 09, 2012, 05:02:00 AM

Title: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: stringstretcher on August 09, 2012, 05:02:00 AM
Does anyone on here make glass backed bows, no glass on the belly?  If so, would love to see some pictures?
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: Tron on August 09, 2012, 04:51:00 PM
My thinking is that a glass back would overpower an all wood belly.  I do have a bow with a clear glass back and a veneer over black glass on the belly though.  Never seen one with no glass on the belly
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 09, 2012, 07:51:00 PM
I have seen wood bows backed with a linen and black epoxy concoction that looks just like glass would.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: SportHunter on August 09, 2012, 10:43:00 PM
I haven't tried it but I have a woven glass backed bow from ~the 50s that has an Osage belly and two lams in the middle that may be hickory. It's done in pyramid style with slightly flipped tips and a breasted tiller. No makers mark but very well done.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: Black Mockingbird on August 10, 2012, 12:07:00 PM
I haven't done it and don't want to. But glass will not overpower good compression woods such as osage,yew,ipe etc...one of the reasons why you don't see it much is because to a lot of folks its not a harmonious marriage. Most wood bow makers back there bows with natural materials like another piece of wood,sinew,rawhide,silk,etc..,and totally detest putting something "unnatural" and man made on something that is naturally made. If you put glass on the back then its best and better to put it on the belly as well.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: SportHunter on August 10, 2012, 01:32:00 PM
Here are some pics, it's a really nice bow. Looks like two parallel lambs and on slightly tapered belly lam with woven glass back ~45#

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/f80689eb.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/0c6992f7.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/d00d4981.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/56be4e40.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/5c9f91a0.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/SOLOHUNTER/2cadaf29.jpg)
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 10, 2012, 02:09:00 PM
Hey sport are you sure its glass? I have seen some similar I thought where glass until an archery historian buff corrected me and told me it was fabric soaked with epoxy. Even knowing it wasnt glass, it still looked just like it.

Sweet old bow by the way.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: SportHunter on August 10, 2012, 02:17:00 PM
Could be, whatever it is works well. I have an old Hoyt with woven glass belly & regular glass back and this woven looks slightly different & thicker overall.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: D on August 12, 2012, 11:01:00 PM
David Knight at Primal Needs Archery makes glass backed ipe.
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: Hill Hunter on August 18, 2012, 11:03:00 PM
I did not think about it not working but I built this, osage backed with glass, shot 300- 400 arrows so far, shoots very good.

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac56/Davidr_01/2012-08-12_15-08-21_326.jpg)

(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac56/Davidr_01/2012-08-12_14-18-33_240.jpg)
(http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac56/Davidr_01/2012-08-12_15-08-36_562.jpg)
Title: Re: Glass backed bows only?
Post by: The Gopher on August 22, 2012, 08:59:00 AM
I made a 74" long ELB from Hickory with a glass backing. 1" wide at the handle. It has been very durable and shoots well, extremely little set, maybe a 1/4"
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