Dear Aardvaark,
Try the following link for a great video to give you a good idea of how the traditional (more expensive, all-natural materials) ones are made:
http://hornbow.com/video.htmlYes, I know what you mean abou the Taiji schools, names, etc.
I was refering to the Yang Lu Ch'an version (over 300 movements, etc.), and terminology, as presented by Erle Montaigue and the World Taiji Boxing Association,( formerly?) out of Murwillumba, Oz. (Their HQ may have moved to England by now.)