Gemsbok Horn Bow (Oryx)

[NeilvZ]

Here's a link on the animal in question for you Nick. They are magnificent.
Gemsbok - Mammals - Flora and Fauna - Tourism of Botswana
You'll probably be able to end up with a bow around 66” to 68”, using average length horns, I'd have thought.
You said the male horn could be worked down Glassman. Were you referring to when you use the horn as a laminate, or the whole horn? If the whole horn, how do you work it down? From the inside?

[glassman]

Horns varie from 30"-34", male horn makes heavier draw weight,you have to reduce these in the building, female horns lighter weight, you can ajust this according to how you build it. The shorter the bow lenth the higher the poundage.

[NeilvZ]

How do you go about reducing the draw weight of a whole horn bow, Glassman? I'm definitely keen to try making one, and any information will be welcome.

[djthompson]

where I came across these bows are in The Traditional Bowyers Bible. The bow is explicitly refered too in a section talking about the life duration of different bows. This bow the author says is top of the pile, 10 min to make and will last 400 years.

I think there is a bit more too it - if you want to get a certain draw weight, and look/feel; but the basics are that this stuff is really tough!

Cheers, D

[NeilvZ]

Thanks Glassman, I'll definitely take you up on your offer. This bow has really grabbed my imagination. I wouldn't post my e-mail address like that on a forum though. Some bot might just pick it up and you'll end up getting loads of spam.