Apple Flatbow 54# @ 27"

[Robert Pougnier]

Thanks Hamish!
I think it would have taken a narrower design but I intentionally overbuilt it since it was my first experience with it.
The handle is just 4 inches long and the fades are two inches each. I put the arrow shelf just 3/4 of an inch above the bow center so the handle wrap is halfway down the lower limb fades. I have been rounding the fades quite a bit too. I don't often build shelves but am trying to become a more consistent shooter.

[medicinewheel]

Very nice!
Did you induce some reflex before starting?

[Robert Pougnier]

Thanks MW! I did not. The only thing I knew about apple before starting was it's estimated SG along with reports that it was good in compression and prone to dramatic tension failures. So I did not want to make the back do any extra work and added the rawhide for an extra margin.

If I had a few more staves I would try again with narrower limbs, maybe 1 5/8" and a slight heat treat into 1" of reflex.

[bjrogg]

A nice apple bow Robert. It immediately brought back memories of Simson’s bows.

I have a wild apple tree I have been looking at for a while now. I’m going to need a little help trimming it but I can definitely see a couple good staves in there.

Bjrogg

[medicinewheel]

I actually see a large apple branch with a natural and quite even reflex right here in front of my livingroom window...