I built one several years ago out of white oak backed with silk. It blew up on me after about 400 arrows. Thinking of trying again, this time with Oregon vine maple.

This thread by a fellow Oregonian is giving me the jones:

http://www.primitivearcher.com...p/topic,53195.0.html

Yes, I do!

Grew up making bows out of any old stick I could find, working my way up eventually to this mulberry longbow. I ended up making it a little too thin so am collecting sinew to add some extra power (I hope).

Great trophy head!

Haha, wasn't shot with the bow I assure you!

Lechwe, I have made as many bows as I have arrows. I find the latter to be very labor intensive, considering how expendable they are.

Haha, now that's the truth!

As a teen I had about 15 stick-bows, and one arrow. I decided I needed to chuck some out, so I set up a target, lined up the bows, and using the same arrow, ranked the different bows and chose which ones to keep!

I've made a pile of them. Mostly Osage selfbows. Some all wood composite, some sinew backed and some laminated with glass.

They all work if I do my part.

Wow, lovely bows!

Could you give me the lowdown on sinew backing?

One of the best reference books on the subject of sinewing a bow (in my opinion) is "Bows and arrows of the Native Americans" by Jim Hamm

http://www.amazon.com/Arrows-N...p-Step/dp/1558211683

You can get a used copy for around 6 or 7 bucks and there is a wealth of information in the book.

To sinew a bow, I use the dried tendons from the rear legs of a deer or elk. You pound them to get off the sheath and them separate and split the tendon into small strings. They are then glued to the back of the bow in layers using hide glue. I usually use two or three layers. After gluing up, the bow is set aside to dry for several weeks to a few months depending in the humidity in the air.

The book explains it much better than I can.

Rudy, outstanding! I have read Jim Hamm's book a number of times. Also have the Bowyer's Bible series.

Was out looking for dumb grouse thee other day in the Oregon Cascades, and everywhere I turned I saw vine maple staves. We just had a good rain, so I will go back up with shotgun and saw and try to find grouse, staves and maybe some chanterelles.