Horn Belly, sinew backed Holmgard

[rainman]

Go into the Buildalong forum.  St. Judes BBY buildalong.  Read the entire thread for some great tips on how to build a bow by some master bowyers.  The horn section starts on Page 13.
I got the horn off of the big auction site.  Just search for Gemsbok horn.  Pretty inexpensive and seems much easier to work than buffalo horn.  One of these horns had a crack that i filled with JB Weld then stained before finish.  Unless I point it out it is real hard to tell what I did.  Got the idea from the Bowyers Bible 4.

[rainman]

There is also the oryx horn pictorial by John Sturdevant in the buildalongs.

[yewsage]

i checked the auction site:  the only gemsbok horn suppliers i could find will ship only in the states, not to canada.  I have however bid on some longhorn cow skull+horns...dunno what to do with the skull...maybe make bone arrowheads?

thanks tho: i'll check the buildalongs.

[yewsage]

ok read it, good stuff.  looks pretty easy, worst part the smell.  hmm.

i've got 4 osage staves just staring at me over there....

[yewsage]

do you have to be that careful, even if sinew backing the bow?

[yewsage]

oops. wrong thread

[John Sturtevant]

Nice Dan...looking forward to seeing it at Mojam.

[bretto]

Can I ask how You prepared the Carp skins?

Great looking bow!

[rainman]

I got the carp skins from Tim Ott.  They are Grass carp.  He scaled then skinned the fish, cut out the portions he wanted to use, then washed with Joy Dish detergent thoroughly to get out oil.  Then stretch and dry just like snake skins, apply the same way.

[rainman]

ttt

[bretto]

Thanks rainman.

[rainman]

ttt

[rainman]

A month ago this bow develped a crack in the wood right next to the horn.  I believe the sinew pulled the bow into more reflex over the winter and this what caused the wood to split.  The bow had gained 10 llbs since last spring.  I filled the crack with thick superglue and clamped it.  Retillered to 55lbs at 28 and everything is right with the world.

[Dave Bowers]

nice

[Igor]

Rainman

Are you side tillering that bow with the Horn belly?

Thanks
Glenn

[rainman]

Rounded the belly over to expose crack, then filled it.  The belly is now trapped.

[StoneAK]

I love the carp and gemsbok can you please let us all know how you did that it is built for pure beauty

[rainman]

2nd page has the info on where to find the tutorials, I stole all the ideas, that is what is great about this site.  Everyone is willing to share info.

[StoneAK]

Thanks

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Beautiful.