Intro and Hawaii

Juniperwarbow · Post by **Juniperwarbow** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 1:57 am

Hi guys! New here. My name is Ethan, I am 18 years old, and I started making bows 4 years ago. I have a new interest in learning to make composites. But I am moving to Hawaii in a week to be with my little brothers. I look forward to exploring bamboo, tropical hardwoods and more for making bows... more than you might think!

What I am wondering is if composites can perform well in high humidity and frequent rainfall? Any thoughts, opinions, and rants are all appreciated!

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:43 am

Indian composites were used in some of the worst climatic conditions for horn and sinew imaginable. Fine silver leaf is sometimes found between the layers of paint covering them. It may have protected them from humidity and insect damage (though that last could have been the lead in some of the paints too).

mongolianarcher · Post by **mongolianarcher** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:45 am

Well the Mughals lived in India. And they made some of the finest bows in the world. So climate-wise, I don't think they would be so detrimental to your bows. Others will probably elaborate on this in a more scientific way

But I am 19 and I shoot in South Florida. So I know where you are coming from about the humidity and stuff! Haha. Practically every other day its either raining, or hot.

Juniperwarbow · Post by **Juniperwarbow** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:35 pm

Thanks for responding! That's pretty encouraging.

Juniperwarbow · Post by **Juniperwarbow** » Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:31 am

I dont know if this is the place to ask this, but are there any composite bowyers here who live in Hawaii? Someone I can learn from?

mikekeswick · Post by **mikekeswick** » Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:20 am

I live in the UK, which has very high humidity (most of the time) and so far I haven't had a problem.
It is worth making a 'dry box' to store your bows in.I was advised to use either calcium chloride dihydrate/silica gel in the box to absorb the moisture present. This of course helps to keep the bows weight stable too.