While I was out shooting today my 7 year old daughter came out to watch. She seemed really interested but I don't have anything for her to shoot. So she was my arrow caddy.

I picked up some bamboo this weekend that is all 8'x2" so I'm going to have some scraps after I cut it all down. I was thinking if I spliced the bamboo I could make a 36-42" backing but not sure it that is safe even with super low poundage.

My guess is I am going to need a 15#@20" max given her current strength but that may need to be a bit lower. Contemplating using 1/8" hickory as a back and use the bamboo on the belly and use limb taper to tiller.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I'll try to get  a better guess on draw length if it will help.


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Ya might wanna make the bow a little longer, say 54" long.

Believe it or not, short kids bows are a bugger to make light and tiller.

Ok that makes sense. Any ideas on a good belly lam thickness to start? 1/4"? Maple, Hickory,Osage?


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No more than 1/4" osage or maple and make the boo very thin.

Thanks Roy. I'm gonna try a 40" & a 56". Using the hands together arms stretched out measurement she's at about 19". My wife and other daughter both measure at 24". I've got two 41" Osage lams 3/16" thick. Gotta order some stuff from Kenny for my next build anyways so may as well get 3 bows worth to save on shipping.


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In the interest of safety I backed every kids bow I ever made with bamboo. I didn't want any bow to blow up if misused, hurt a kid and get me a lawsuit, I gave all these bows away, no money involved.

Eric, what are your thoughts on the length on a kids bow?

Most of mine were for 8-9-10 year olds, I made them 52" and very low poundage.

Ok thanks, Eric.

There ya go, Cody.

Eric said 52" and I quoted ya 54"...

Well I'm gonna build a 55-56"to be safe. But I'll have a 40" piece to bamboo left over so I'm gonna give it a go with that too. Just a damn shame to order 72" of lams and toss 18" away.


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Roy or Eric do either of you have a suggestion on width and limb taper for a 52-56 bow? 


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Flares 1 1/8th tapered to 3/8th at tips.

Thickness of belly lam, 1/4" to 3/16th" at tips.

Make the boo thin.

Well my daughter is super excited. So we're gonna start on bow 1 Tuesday. Bow 2 will get materials ordered after the 4th.

Bow one will be bamboo backed Osage. 40" tip to tip. Mainly because I have scraps available to build it.

Bow 2 is gonna be bamboo backed maple. 54" NTN.
Choosing maple because it'll take dye/stain better.

I'll post updates and pictures in this thread. Hoping she'll be accompanying me to Great Lakes Longbow Invitational in August.


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Be fun having her help with her bow build.

Doesn't get any better, Cody.