How These Bows Are Made:
Raw material
All my laminated bows start with a core, which is constructed with tempered bamboo laminations in the middle, and dense hardwood along the sides. Many combinations can be used, but this provides a limb which can be made 1" inch wide, and be very stable laterally. This classic Japanese style of bow core is the engine which gives these bows their speed and cast, while making them exceptionally light to hold in your hand.
Typically a bamboo belly and backing plate is made with special attention given to the node placement along the limbs. When the bamboo is harvested, culms which are straight, appropriate age, free from scars and proper node spacing are selected. They are split and sorted into pairs at this time. Only after they are cured and dried properly are they ready to be used in these bows.
The inside surface is flattened so it can be glued to the core which has been thickness tapered to yield the approximate draw weight desired. Little can be done to adjust the draw wt. after the bow is glued together. I use a 2 part epoxy called G2 in gluing all the laminations together.
Typically a bamboo belly and backing plate is made with special attention given to the node placement along the limbs. When the bamboo is harvested, culms which are straight, appropriate age, free from scars and proper node spacing are selected. They are split and sorted into pairs at this time. Only after they are cured and dried properly are they ready to be used in these bows.
The inside surface is flattened so it can be glued to the core which has been thickness tapered to yield the approximate draw weight desired. Little can be done to adjust the draw wt. after the bow is glued together. I use a 2 part epoxy called G2 in gluing all the laminations together.
Instead of using a form to create the shape of the bow, I use rope which is wrapped around the bow from top to bottom, and then back again to form a cris-cross pattern on the back and belly. Bamboo wedges are now inserted ,and by tapping them tight , the laminations are squeezed together to form an even glue line along the length of the bow. Curves can be set now to create the reflex and deflex portions within the limbs. It is easy to make adjustments in shape and straightness using this method, before putting in the hot box for the glue to cure.
Hand tools are now used to shape the limbs and limb tips and the riser of the bow. When ready, the bow is strung for the first time to check tiller. From here various colours are layered and mixed to create the unique patterned finishes or flat finishes desired by the customer. One's imagination is the only limit on patterns and colour combinations which can be applied , and then sealed with several protective layers of polyurethane. I make flemish twist strings for the bows using dacron or fast flight with a moveable nock to help tune the bow.
The finished masterpiece