TomB Memorial Bow

[DanaM]

I met Tom at Pappy's this spring and had some nice converstaions with him, we struck up an immediate friendship. Tom struck me as a gentle caring man a true southern gentleman. Words fail me in trying to describe him but after knowing him for just a few days he left an impression on me and I wish I could have known him for longer.
Go figure but Tom took a liking to me and gifted me with some staves, while sorting through my wood pile I came upon this white mulberry stave that he gave me. It brought back memories of my chats with Tom.
Having lost my father to cancer when I was 19 and Toms son Patrick losing his father at 18 I feel a kinship with them and understand the sense of loss that Patrick
must be feeling. So I concieved an idea to turn this stave Tom gave me into a bow to be gifted to Patrick as a Memorial to his father. To make it even more special I want to invite all of you that were Tom's friends to participate in this. Would like to do this in a Community bow fashion with as many of Toms friends as possible taking
part and leaving a little of their spirit in the bow. Ideally I think a full set of bow, arrows, quiver and knife would be fantastic. So what say you anyone care to join me?

Here's the stave White Mulberry 67" long and roughly 2.5" wide, it has a naturally reflexed end on it.
I chased a ring on it and need to sand the back a bit more. What do you all think can we make a good bow
from this stave. I'm thinking rigid handle with rawhide backing for durability and snakeskin over the rawhide.

[islandpiper]

Great idea Dana.   I'm sure he'll treasure it.   

Hey , how does your dog stick to the wall that way?   Dang good grip on those foot pads.   May be a cross between a Lab and a Dahl Sheep? 

piper

[Pat B]

As a long time friend of Tom and Patrick I think this is an excellent idea and I'm ready to put a bit of my own blood, sweat and tears into this Community project.   Dana, this is a great gesture and I'm sure  knowing how much we all care about Tom and his memory and having this Community archery set will have a positive effect to help Patrick deal with the death of his Dad.
  Put me in on the list of participants.

[DanaM]

Thanks Kieth and Pat

This stave does have a few issues, if it won't work I also have a set of WM billets Tom gave me or I have some nice osage staves.

[Hillbilly]

I'll try to help out, Dana.

[DanaM]

Thanks Steve, I know your busy and hunting season is coming up but a little of our time is a small thing to give eh

[DanaM]

Pat I hope you got the last PM I sent ya puter acted funny so not sure if it went or not.
And I agree 50# at 28" and I like your other idear also, I delegate that aspect to you 

I've laid the bow out with a 4" handle, 1.5" fades, 1.5" for 18" then straight taper to 1/2" nocks
Does this sound ok for W. Mulberry?

[Pat B]

Dana, I didn't get another reply after my last one.

[mullet]

 You can count me in also. I've got some special handle wrap material. And I have 4 osage staves from Tom if those don't work out.

[nugget]

Did not know him real well, but what I did know about him was he was a very fine individual. I will help out if I can.

[DanaM]

Sounds like were off to a good start I'm going to try and get the stave roughed out tonite, I need to lay it out a bit different as it has
a 3" split in it, but I should have enough room to avoid it.

[Pappy]

Just let me know what you need me to do.Love to help.
   Pappy

[knightd]

Unfortunately I never got to meet Tom.. But I would be more than honered to help out.. just let me know if you need me..

[DanaM]

Thanks for the offer David its much appreciated, this bow will need some arrows

[Woodland Roamer]

Dana, I have some jap arrow bamboo shafts that Tom gave me this year at Hickory if I can find them in my pile of stuff. I'll be glad to give them to this project.

Alan