Been doing some reading and I'm not sure if I don't understand or can't grasp whats happening. What is "string follow"?
 
John.

When the bow is a 'self bow' or a bow made out of natural materials there is almost always 'string follow'.

The bark is taken off, the wood is dried slowly to eliminate cracking and the bow is made from the outer layers. When a bow is drawn the outer layer of wood cells are stretched while the inner layer (towards the shooter) are compressed. Over a period of time you will get 'string follow'. A small amount is OK but a large amount will cause the bow to be very weak and loose it's poundage.

My self bow/long bow has an outer layer of rawhide but some are made with sinew. This gives a more elastic outer layer to the back of the bow.

Shown are two pictures from Jim Hamm's book: Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans

The first picture shows how the grain of the wood runs correctly through a self bow. The second picture shows 'string follow' on bows. Granted there are some bows (like the Turkish) that are wildly the other way, but this shows typical bows.

OK, I hope I got this right. String follow has more to do with the bows ability to retain it's straightness. The more curve that is gained after being drawn the more string follow there is.
 
John.

Hmmmm...I think we're on the same wave length.  There will be a certain amount of 'string follow'.  An inch or two is acceptable...more could be trouble.  This sort of possible problem is why some aboriginal peoples never string their bows until they are ready to shoot.  Carrying a strung bow across the back continually was just not done...especially since the sinew string could stretch when wet as well.

Here is a picture of a bow made out of ram horn that typifies the other direction a bow can go when unstrung.  These bows were made to be shot off of horses and are the inspiration for 'the parting shot'.

I think I understand now. I'm amazed at the amount of different materials that have been used to make bows. So simple yet genius.

The whole situation is even more amazing than you can imagine.  I cannot stress enough the reading of the series The Bowyers Bible.  In it you will find not only the history...the real history of archery...but the simplicity that is hidden from most folks.  The fact that so-called 'primitive bows' can out perform modern bows.  The fact that almost all wood can be made into fine peformance hunting bows by design.

The wood can be gotten from the woods....or the lumberyard.  You just have to know the basic concepts.  

There is no way I can convey all the techniques, woodcraft or history here.  Track the books down.  Try it and you will find the real truth about archery.

I'm going to show you just two pages out of this set.  It does not contain pictures or diagrams...that is still waiting for you.  That and a whole new world that has been consciously suppressed.

Thanks Jay, I'm just reading throught "The Bent Stick" and hopefully I can find all the volumes of "The Bowyers Bible" locally. Soon the chips and dust will fly.
 
John.

Excellent...interesting about the 'bog bow', hey?

I made my first bow from a discription in The Bent Stick.

Thanks again Jay, I've been reading and reading but haven't found anything about a 'bog bow'. Maybe Ijust missed something. Anyway, here's my first successful bow.

It's from a discription in 'The Bent Stick". Made with white ash, 18 in. long with a 7 in. draw.

BOOK LIST - this is a long post of my online research relating to the books and authors in the other posts (not by me) on this thread.
 
  You might ke-e-ell me for this long list but I hope it helps someone!  And at least *I* won't lose it if it's here!    :o
   
   

Quote... made my first bow from a description in The Bent Stick.

I found this:
   =========================================
   http://gallifrey.org/bentstic.htm
   Last updated 9-1-2003
   -----------------------------------------------
   The Bent Stick:  Making and Using Wooden Hunting Bows, by Paul Comstock, is an illustrated 40,000-word how-to manual that has been used by thousands of home crafters to produce simple yet effective wooden bows.
   
 
   $13.95 (US)
   ---------------------------
           Also available is Hit the Mark!  Shooting Wooden and Primitive  Bows. This 15,000-word, illustrated manual contains a variety of techniques used by the best shots early in the 20th Century, before fiberglass and modern design...
 
   $7.00  (US)
   ---------------------------
   Paul Comstock
          P. O. Box 1102
         Delaware, OH  43015 USA
 
   thebentstick@hotmail.com
   =====================================
   ***Have you read the second one, Hit_The_Mark_?  
   
   ===============
   NEXT - this little link lists the **tables of contents** for some Hamm -authored books:
   
   http://www.hollowtop.com/hopsstore_html/archery_bks.htm
   
   (It's the website of some "Green" Eco- guy, but forgive him, LOL, the country store looks pretty good!      Granny's Country Store
  PO Box 684    Silver Star, MT 59751-0684   406-287-3605
   
   ===============
   

Quote from: Jay EdwardThe whole situation is even more amazing than you can imagine.  I cannot stress enough the reading of the series The Bowyers Bible.  ... real history ... simplicity ... "primitive bows' can out perform modern bows. The fact that almost all wood can be made into fine peformance hunting bows by design.
     
    The wood can be gotten from the woods....or the lumberyard.  You just have to know the basic concepts...
 

I see it's also by Jim Hamm, might be found in used college textbook , among others including Wal-Mart (info below -- tons of links on the Web)
   
   http://www.epinions.com/The_Traditional_Bowyer_s_Bible_edited_by_Jim_Hamm_and_by_Steve_Allely_and_by_Time_Baker_and_by_Paul_Comstocke_and_by_Ron_Hardcastle_and_by_John_Strunk_and_by_Jay_Massey_and_by_Tim_Baker_and_by_Paul_Comstock_and_by_Gabriela_Cosgrove_and_by_Gene_Langst
   ^(this lists various sources for the book)
   
   http://www.directtextbook.com/reviews/1585740861
   --------------------
   WalMart has it and lists three ISBN's for it:
   
   http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product_listing.gsp?path=0%3A3920%3A18888%3A18896%3A22233&dept=3920&cat=22233&sb=101&bti=0&sdir=sasc&sortBySelectedIndex=2&selected_items=na
   
   The Traditional Bowyer's Bible
   Hamm, Jim
   Paperback, Lyons Press, 2000, ISBN # 158574087X
   Paperback, Lyons Press, 2000, ISBN # 1585740853
   Paperback, Lyons Press, 2000, ISBN # 1585740861
   ----------------------
   ^ Set of 3 volumes, sold separately ...
   **Review** at:
   http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=62-1585740853-0
   
   

Quote from: Jay Edward... a 'self bow' or a bow made out of natural materials ... My self bow/long bow has an outer layer of rawhide but some are made with sinew. This gives a more elastic outer layer to the back of the bow...
   
   pictures from Jim Hamm's Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans
   

http://www.epinions.com/Bows_and_Arrows_of_the_Native_Americans_A_Complete_Step_By_Step_Guide_to_Wooden_Bows_Sinew_Backed_Bows_Composite_Bows_Strings_Arrows__Quivers_by_Jim_Hamm
   ^alternate sources for Hamm book, no review
   [Note the Complete Title    is listed as
   ~~>>  Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans: A Complete Step-By-Step Guide to Wooden Bows, Sinew-Backed Bows, Composite Bows, Strings, Arrows & Quivers <<~~
   
   It is also among a select few including Hamm's "Bibles"  *with reviews* at:
   
   http://www.booktrail.com/Archery_Bowhunting/ARCHBOWH.asp
   
   or you can skip right to this review at:
   http://www.booktrail.com/Archery_Bowhunting/BowsandArrows.asp
   
 ^(a couple of these also have a cover photo in case you are browsing thrift stores or surreptitiously scanning your friend's shelves while superficially making small talk...)
   
   ========  HOWEVER: Don't be fooled by imitations    =========
   
   WalMart lists two similar titles by *different authors*
    [Since I'm doing all this homework ...]
    ~~>>   ----------------------
    Archer's Bible 2005: The Ultimate Archery Reference Guide
    Stoeger
    Paperback, Stoeger Pub Co, 2004, ISBN# 0883172887
    [^sometimes this _Archer's_Bible_ is listed as being by Keith Sutton]
         --------------------
    The Archer's and Bowhunter's Bible
    Lawrence, H. Lea
    Paperback, Doubleday Books, 1993, ISBN # 0385422210
 Articles deal with choosing equipment, learning to shoot, the ethics of bowhunting, big and small game, tree stands, and stalking
    ======
   
    Then there is a "Bible"  by Mike Faw:
   
    http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=17-0883172461-0
   
   
    ======
    ditto on alternate author references for the "Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans" book  ~
   
   http://www.epinions.com/search/?submitted_form=searchbar&search_string=Bows+and+Arrows+of+the+Native+Americans&tax_name=&dyn_nav=0&dyn_nav_id=&search_vertical=3321654&searchbar_submit=Search
   
    ======     END of confusing alternate references   ============
   
   can you tell I'm subtly avoiding going out in the snow to change two vehicles' vacuum hoses?
   
   Have Fun!
   ~Kit

Quote from: Jay Edward...interesting about the 'bog bow', hey?

Quote from: JSBiskupThanks ... reading but haven't found ... 'bog bow'...
 
 Anyway, here's my first successful bow.  It's from a description in 'The Bent Stick". Made with white ash, 18 in. long with a 7 in. draw.

Cool bow!  :D  Thank you for the photo and inspiration!
 
 As for 'bog' -- I found that "bog" means "bow" in several languages including ... my Viking Ancestors on their ships...  :D
 
 I found a military reference that refers not to archery but to a defensive position (vehicle).
 
 So what's up Jay?
 
 
 pretty please...  is this an item for the history forum?  I'll follow the thread anywhere...
 
 ~Kit

Maybe you meant 'Log Bow'? Friend of a friend is a logger and is looking for a nice piece of hickory for me. I tried to make two bows out of ash from boards bought at the lumber yard. I have to work on my patience. Both broke, one at 28 in. of draw and the other cracked at 26 and finally broke at 32. I guess I have to do a better job at tillering. The 18 in. bow is amazingly accurate and powerful at 15 yrds.
 
John.

Quote from: KitSo what's up Jay?  pretty please... is this an item for the history forum? I'll follow the thread anywhere...[/size]
~Kit

[/size]

Sorry I haven't got back to this Kit & JSB, but I had family visiting and was engaged in a woodworking project.

Anyhoo Kit...many artifacts (and bodies) have been unearthed (unbogged?) from 'bogs'.  What I was referrring to was the Meare Heath Bow.  You can type that into Google but for those who want a quick answer there is:
http://www.krackow.com/westerneurope.html

'Bogs' many times perfectly preserve artifacts and skeletal remains.  I'm letting the TV run right now with a special on that claims they've even retrieved DNA from brains in 'bog cemeteries'.  (It's the Science Channel)

The bow in Comstock's book I was referring to was the 'Overbuilt Bow' that demonstrates that 'primitive bows' were really cutting edge and, in some ways, more advanced than contemporary bows.