48" osage shorty bendy handle recurve build

[Bob Barnes]

Another cool bow Dave.  About 20 years ago I made a 50" 50#@27" sinew backed osage bow that even had a non-bending grip, but I hunted with it for a couple of successful years.  It was one of my favorite bows.  It always amazed me that so little wood and sinew could make such a great shooting and tiny bow.  Good luck!

[superdav95]

Sweet looking bow there Bob.  Ya it doesn’t take much wood to get a hunting bow. 

[superdav95]

Ok so i added approx 50 grams of sinew to this little bow.  Its been about 4 days drying so far and looks good.  prior to sinew it was 48lbs at 26".  Im hoping to get 55lbs at 28". we shall see.  reflex will likly be around 7-8" after removing back string. hard to tell as its still not dry yet.  I will burnish the surface tomorow and then let it dry for another week or two before bending at all. 

Link for pictures
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0bdk8iU_vD0X6iAbuaDLHLyAA

[Will B]

Great little bow, Dave. I love those static recurves!

[superdav95]

Thanks will!   

[Bob Barnes]

It looks killer Dave.  You'll hit your 55# I'll bet.  I have never been a bendy handle guy, mostly because I like a more center shot bow, but your narrower grip would work, especially with the added cork.   

[superdav95]

It looks killer Dave.  You'll hit your 55# I'll bet.  I have never been a bendy handle guy, mostly because I like a more center shot bow, but your narrower grip would work, especially with the added cork.   

Thanks Bob!  Ya I’m thinking it will hit 55lbs.  The sinew will allow some added draw length too which is great. 

[superdav95]

Hey gang.  Just a quick update on this little bow.  I am posting a short video link here for those interested in burnishing sinew covering.  Depending on how fast it dries in your area and climate will determine this.  Here in Alberta mine was sufficiently dry for me to burnish mi e smooth.  In the video you can see me showing a smooth piece of steel rod to do this.  I’ve done this with a coffee mug.  Anything smooth will work.  I also use thinned glue.  Some use warm water for this but I like the gap filling aspect of the thinned glue worked in.  It creates a very smooth and compressed top layer finish.  Sanding it down works too to give a smooth finish but this adds the benefit of compressing the fibers down. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/lcJ7Qkjc_P8?si=6A9rkPWMso1oL1UJ

[Hamish]

Your videos automatically come up in my Toob feed. The sinew looks amazing after burnishing.

[superdav95]

lol. Those algorithms will get ya!  I can’t remember who to give credit to for this idea but I love the result.  It was either jiri, stylian or andi.  One of those guys I think.  I e done this on several of mine now and it work quite well. 

[Wallski]

Superdav, thank you for sharing, I never liked some of the sinew finishes I’ve done because of how rough it turned out, this is very helpful.

[superdav95]

Superdav, thank you for sharing, I never liked some of the sinew finishes I’ve done because of how rough it turned out, this is very helpful.

Thanks walski