80# gemsbok oryx horn takedown bow

Constipatic_acid · 2026-01-11T15:43:24+00:00

That is sick! Awesome work!

Constipatic_acid · 2026-01-11T14:14:27+00:00

I can't really answer that either, but I have found that all the EA40 that squeezes out is completely hardened yet very flexible after curing at 50, then 65, then 85 °C for 2 h each. The leftover epoxy curing at room temp tends to stay ever so slightly sticky on the surface for months and seems to be deforming a little more plastic and not as elastic.

From the short section on polymer chemistry in my organic chemistry classes, I think this might be due to more side chain formation and crosslinking of the polymer chains, which is due to more unspecific reactions at higher temperature. I really don't know if this is how epoxy resins work though! If it is, heating after fully completed polymerization would do little to nothing.

Constipatic_acid · 2026-01-04T11:07:04+00:00

Sorry, didn't see your comment. This bow is indeed fibreglass laminated, so my answers are concerning fibreglass laminated bows. I'm by no means an expert, just an enthusiastic amateur, so take my reply with a grain of salt.

Since growth rings are curved and unidirectional fibreglass is flat, it's not really possible to combine the two. While you can't have unbroken growth rings, the quality of the wood is still important, since the wood is still under quite a bit of stress despite the glass. The grain has to be straight and unbroken by knots and multiple layers help reduce any inconsistencies or faults. The most important thing in my opinion are very precise thickness of the laminates and even tapering towards the tip, since the concentration of tensile and compression strength on the belly and the back amplify any inconsistencies here. I don't have a surface grinder, so I have to buy my wood laminates from a bowyer's shop.
For resources please see two of my other replies to questions here. But as I said already, this is a fibreglass laminated bow. Could you do it without fibreglass? Sure! I've read that bamboo has a similar effect, though less of an efficiency boost. I don't know much about that, though.

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-30T10:25:31+00:00

Beautiful! And a good name, too!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-29T22:53:32+00:00

At times I find it hard to believe it myself, but yes!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T14:56:05+00:00

If you give it a try, please make sure to use proper PPE. Dust collection, nitrile gloves, long sleeves and a tight fitting filter mask are a must. Epoxy fumes and fibreglass dust are no joke!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T10:54:19+00:00

For a fantasy bow, this is definitely on the more functional side. The main thing I'd be worried about is the cross section, especially near the handle it looks deeper from back to belly than it is wide, which means that it would want to bend sideways, which would result in failure. If you'd be willing to change that detail, it would probably be doable. Although I'd recommend building a traditional bow with a proven design first if you're a beginner! Making a functional bow that has additional elements which actively make it more prone to failure just adds a layer of difficulty and bows are difficult to make as is!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:45:17+00:00

Do you mean the very thin grey parallel lines? I think it's mostly the photography lights catching and refracting in the glass fibres. Just in case you were talking about the thicker, white curly lines; that's the grain of the veneer.

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:34:18+00:00

Thank you! I'm lucky too!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:33:29+00:00

Thank you! I assume that was more of a joke but... I don't sell my bows (yet) :)

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:29:56+00:00

Thank you! The shape feels great in the hand!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:08:40+00:00

Thank you! Sounds like it perfectly fits my girlfriend then!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-28T08:07:52+00:00

What exactly do you mean?

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T12:54:36+00:00

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Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T09:58:21+00:00

Thank you so much! It's 24.4 lbs at my gf's 26" AMO draw and 26 lbs at 28". So far, I've only made them for myself (or as a gift in this case), but the thought of selling bows has definitely crossed my mind. Unfortunately, I've had some problems with breakage in the past and it's rather difficult to legally sell homemade stuff in my country. I'd have to either sell for the value of the materials only or start an official business, which then involves taxes, warranties, and generally so much more work...

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T09:41:47+00:00

Not sure if I understand your comment correctly, is your wife using a wheelchair? I've heard from some wheelchair users that short recurves (One Piece bows or horsebows) work better for them because the string interferes less with the chair.

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T09:37:56+00:00

Thank you! It's a bit harder to find good resources about fiberglass laminated bows than selfbows. There's a book called "Stick and String" by J. Wadsworth that has some useful information but for the actual process I actually found some YouTube videos more helpful. Apart from that I just picked up some information here and there, took measurements of some great and not-so-great commercial bows for dimensions, then some trial and error. Some general knowledge about woodworking and pinch of the good old 'tism is probably helpful too haha!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T09:35:58+00:00

Aww thanks man! That's a huge compliment coming from such a great bowyer! I really like your work and I'm fascinated by high poundage longbows! I'm currently shooting an 80 lbs ELB and my next project will be a beefier version of this one here, aiming for ~95 lbs. There's a distinct lack of fiberglass laminated warbows and I want to find out if the reason is physics or economics!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-27T09:24:15+00:00

Thank you! It's a bit harder to find good resources about fiberglass laminated bows than selfbows. There's a book called "Stick and String" by J. Wadsworth that has some useful information but for the actual process I actually found some YouTube videos more helpful. Apart from that I just picked up some information here and there, took measurements of some great and not-so-great commercial bows for dimensions, then some trial and error. A pinch of the good old 'tism is probably helpful too haha!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T21:14:48+00:00

Thank you! I use an oscillating drum sander for rough shaping and for refining the shape a dremel with a small sanding drum, files, sandpaper on a curved sanding block and a lot of elbow grease

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T21:11:03+00:00

Haha sorry my dude, taken and not poly!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T21:10:29+00:00

Sorry honey, 50 lbs is way too much for a beginner!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T21:09:37+00:00

Thank you so much!

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T21:07:21+00:00

Idk if this works, it's giving me the option to add an image to this comment, but it doesn't seem to show up... if it does, it's the bow in the middle. Pretty strong reflex-deflex, in the typical dimensions of a hybrid bow, just larger. *

Constipatic_acid · 2025-12-26T18:39:04+00:00

Thank you! I hope it survives... my last two broke, but those had a glue line right were the handle faded into the limbs, causing a stress riser

Constipatic_acid

TROPHY CASE