Osage and Garter

[bjrogg]

I got this Osage blank from a good friend. He sent me a few bow blanks. I took a couple bows back to him. They were nearly perfect staves. Very straight with beautiful rings. They should fling an arrow a long way. At least that’s what we are hoping

I kept this one. It has a little more character. The bottom limb is pretty straight. The top one has just the right amount of curves. Not to much, but enough to make it interesting.

It started out with 3 3/4” of reflex. Almost all of it in the handle. It was a bugger to get to brace. Had to skip low brace as it just wanted to flip the string around the back.

I ended up with 3 1/2” of reflex. I’m sure it has a few more inches but it feels really good to me right here. 48@24”

I put a couple road killed garter snake skins on. First time I’ve used them on Osage. A little dark but I really like it.

I was going to put leather on the handle, but I really like the look and feel of it naked. So that’s how it’s staying. At least for now.

It a very nice shooter. Don’t have any numbers for you but it seems pretty snappy.

She’s holding her shape really good and she’s a looker too. Hope you like her as much as I do.

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

Unbraced, braced and full draw

Bjrogg

[Bob Barnes]

That's cool BJ.  I'll bet that your friend will enjoy the bows you made.  The skins look killer on it, and I agree about the grip not needing leather.  I have added it to several bows only to discover that it felt too large afterwards, so I removed it.  Your shelf looks great too.   

[superdav95]

That looks awesome bj!  Love the character in that one too.  I bet it’s fast with that stored energy.  Love those garder snake skins too.   Nice. 

[jameswoodmot]

That’s a handsome bow! Love the unbraced profile! Looks like it’s excited to get shoot some arrows.

[Hamish]

Cool bow. The skins look like tattoos. Looks like it would be pretty fast.

[bentstick54]

Another very nice bow BJ. Garter snake skins look great.

[bjrogg]

Thanks Bob. He’s one heck of a guy. I hope he enjoys them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Thanks Dave . It does have just the right amount of character. I think I got everything that wasn’t a bow removed and the wiggles aren’t costing much in the performance area. The growth rings are huge. I need to get some more pictures.

Thanks James. I really like the unbraced profile to. I’m pretty sure that and the wiggles are some of the reasons my friend sent it to me. I think I did pretty good with it. If I took it a few more inches I probably would have more set. It seems to like where it is now. I’ve tried this profile before and broke it getting to brace.

Thanks Hamish. I do sometimes wish I had a chronograph but I would probably just be disappointed anyway.lol

Thanks Brian they do look nice. I have used them on two other bows but they were HHB. Really like the contrast on HHB

Bjrogg

[Pat B]

Very nice Brian. I like the skins and just enough wiggle in the upper limb to make it interesting. Well done. I think you are getting the hang of this bow making stuff.