2025 Junior Bow Trade

[Aaron1726]

Appreciate the kind words Steve.  I can't wait to get going on it and to see what everyone else builds as well!

[Aaron1726]

Made a small bit of headway today.  Had some time at lunch to get the hatchet out and rough the profile. 

[stuckinthemud]

Looking good.  Love the hatchet, I've not seen any like that before.

How's everyone else doing?

[Aaron1726]

Got some more time to work on my bow today.  Got out the sureform and cleaned up the sides down really close to my layout lines.  Got a bucket full of shavings for fire starting.

Then I marked out the side profile.  Was going to reduce the thickness by sawing perpendicular every couple inches and the pop the bits off with a chisel, but since I don't know if I'll end up with any more vine maple I decided to saw it and save the belly trimmings.  Took a while, but with patience, a good pull saw, and some wedges I managed to get the first limb thinned and it's starting to bend a little on the floor.

Now I have to tackle the tricky limb.  Not sure if I can cut those curves or not.  For another day...

[Aaron1726]

Few more pics

[paulc]

I am working on 2 bows at once but I am beginning to believe I am self-sabotaging by picking staves with issues beyond my skill set....The hackberry has been in the rafters for years, I started it forever ago but was too aggressive dealing with a knot on edge of limb and when I handle it I am pretty sure it is kindling(at least as a hunting bow).  But I paid money for it so I don't want to let it go...maybe if I keep picking at it bit by bit I will find a bow.

The Chinese elm is a branch from my neighbor's tree that has been in the rafters for 18months or so.  I am trying to reduce it to almost bow dimensions and then try to straighten it out...if that works I'll move forward with it. 

Or switch to some of my river birch....

[paulc]

Chinese elm...think it is straighten-able??

[Aaron1726]

I have to say that it amazes me what heat can do to wood, so good luck!  Can't wait to see how it turns out

[Muskyman]

I’m not an expert, far from it but, maybe try using steam to straighten that. I’ve had better luck with steam on major bends like that. I’ve watched videos of guys putting recurves in limbs with dry heat and when I try it it ends up in the firewood pile.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[stuckinthemud]

I'd try it, ultimately what have you got to lose?

[stuckinthemud]

Hey Paul, did you get chance to straighten that stave? How did it work out ??

[paulc]

I did two steam sessions and neither got me enough movement.  I think I need to remove more wood so there is less to heat and bend.  Life has become a pia lately so not much time to work on it.  I hope maybe I can get back to it soon...

Paul

[stuckinthemud]

Straightening forward or backwards is relatively straightforward, but straightening side ways can be difficult,except at the tips where the narrow timber is easier to manage.  Once you get over 3/4 inch the timber starts to fight you and if you ask it to do too much you can get a split along the grain , so yes, get it thinned down, the heat will penetrate better and with less timber to fight you have more chance.  If it were me, though, I'd be using dry heat