Kviljos Scythian bow to be...

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:33 pm

One can never have too many horn bow projects going.

I figured making a regular form to bend the core would be a good start. Both for bending wood, but also for understanding and visualizing the shape of the bow. With the scythian bows there seems to be some variation to the shape, so I guess this shape should be OK. It is 130cm along the curve.

Anyway, please comment if you think I should change the shape in some way.

Edit: Comparing it to photos of the originals, I think I might have squeezed the crude length a little. I did in fact forget to check that measure when I was laying it out. Maybe this is good, as the wood will probably stretch out a little again after having been boiled and clamped to the form....I hope.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 6:50 pm

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:18 pm

Feather · Post by **Feather** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:45 am

Kviljos you're a machine!!!!

Daniel T. · Post by **Daniel T.** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:10 pm

If Jack likes it, it is certainly fine! Nevertheless, I would not make the deflex portions this pronounced. The deflex will appear due to set anyway.

Regards,
Daniel

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:20 pm

Thanks guys, I measured the crude length of it, and it is in fact only 101cm (long in a straight line). Which means I have crumbled it up 11cm. That might account for the extra deflex. I think I will bend some pieces of wood on it and see if I should make another that is a little more stretched. I do agree that the deflexed sections curve a little much, and I'm not sure if the wood in the required thickness will stand being bent this sharply without a metal strap on the stretchy side. I will use fresh cut maple though.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:04 pm

Just some suggestions; every possible shape appears on Greek ceramics so there is no wrong profile. But of the Xinjaing bows, the deflex bends have two different bends with the lower one being more abrupt and nears or equals 90 degrees in the strung version. The upper deflex is smoother and further up the grip. Also the grip is asymmetric with the lower half completing its bend earlier. This facilitates the bent angle of the wrist when shooting. Lastly, If i am not mistaken, the lower hook is a little more sweeping, for what reason i do not know.

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:00 pm

Thanks Jack, I will implement that into my next form. I have concluded that this form needs a little gentler curves, as I don't see how I can be able to bend the wood in it.

I'm working on the "double-angular" egyptian-scythian bow now. It is somewhat easier to make, and I'm experimenting with a hinged form that will put the sharp bends into compression while bending them. I will probably make a similar hinged form for the scythian. - and then I will also moderate the shape.

j.louis · Post by **j.louis** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:01 pm

Hello,
why not try to make the soul sticking several thinner thickness? I do not know if it was this time, it may be a solution if you have to give tight curves in wood.
friendly

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:35 am

Ivar; Double angular= Akkadian. Hinged means folding bow?

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:33 pm

Ah, yes, that's the term I was looking for

It is the bending form that is hinged - just for bending the wood core. I've tried it with a 10mm kiln tried piece of sugar maple, and it looks promising. When the sharp bends are bent, the form puts the wood under compression, which prevents splintering on the stretching side. I will post some pictures in a while.

PAZUZU · Post by **PAZUZU** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 10:38 pm

Kviljo
what will be the method of construction? like the replica of mr. Karpowicz?

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 8:00 am

I have not decided yet. I want to try to pre-bend the deflexes and then sinew.

In the long run I would like to find a way to bend longer pieces of wood, to make the process faster. I have some long good still fresh maple logs that I hope to use some time soon.

I think I've seen some pictures from your scythian? How is it coming along?