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https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl General >> Other Primitive Weapons >> Iceman’s bow and archery equipment https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1588565359 Message started by duckdiver on May 4^th, 2020 at 12:09am

Title: Iceman’s bow and archery equipment
Post by duckdiver on May 4^th, 2020 at 12:09am

Came across this comparison of the iceman’s archery gear, including a comparison to other self bows on the primitive ways site. Lots of interesting posts of wide range of tech as well as cooking techniques. Even a couple of slings.

http://www.primitiveways.com/Otzi%27s_bow.html

Title: Re: Iceman’s bow and archery equipment
Post by Bill Skinner on May 5^th, 2020 at 11:32am

I think the current theory is that the stick was actually a walking stick rather than an unfinished bow. Or, if it was a unfinished bow, he had just started work.

BTW, I haven't actually heard of a true bow makers' opinion of the staff. Yew has to have a layer of sap wood for the back and the heart wood for the belly or the bow will break very quickly.

The only pictures that I have seen show little to no sap wood and the grain is violated in a lot of areas, which will cause the bow to break when floor tillering.

Title: Re: Iceman’s bow and archery equipment
Post by joe_meadmaker on May 5^th, 2020 at 10:19pm

Bill Skinner wrote on May 5^th, 2020 at 11:32am:

Yew has to have a layer of sap wood for the back and the heart wood for the belly or the bow will break very quickly.

I heard differently on this once. While the layer of sapwood definitely gives a yew bow that iconic look, I heard at one point that the tensile strength of the sapwood is greater than the heartwood by only a very small amount. It was a while ago when I saw it, but I believe the guy in the video was shooting a yew bow of only heartwood.

Although take that with a grain of salt, it was the only time I've heard that.