Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: WillS on January 24, 2016, 07:45:04 am
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77" long, 40mm x 30mm in the handle. Cow horn side nocks. No heat treating on the belly, or trapping on the back and an oval cross section, and no chrysals which is always nice at this weight! Once the bow was finished and sanded I gently toasted the belly before applying a natural beeswax finish, and I think it's popped the weight up by about 5 or 10lb but won't know until I measure it again once it's been shot for distance.
It took maybe 1" of set - the lower limb was already slightly deflexed giving an overall string follow of about 1.5 - 2". Considering the weight and the recent weather I'm quite pleased with that.
No full draw pic (I know, I know!) - I don't like holding them for photos in the first place as I don't have a camera setup, but especially not ash. I was hoping to get a pic of Joe shooting it today, but wasn't able to make it, so I'll hopefully add a photo or video of that when I get the chance.
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120741_zpsivpwnebv.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120741_zpsivpwnebv.jpg.html)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120807_zpslz8ae1uu.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120807_zpslz8ae1uu.jpg.html)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120527_zps0esffbwm.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120527_zps0esffbwm.jpg.html)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120609_zpsqhwbiqfr.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120609_zpsqhwbiqfr.jpg.html)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120710_zpswa3vyoab.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20160110_120710_zpswa3vyoab.jpg.html)
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Nice one, English Ash?
Del
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Yep!
To be honest, normally I wouldn't even bother trying to push ash this heavy - I know it can be done, but I've always believed it needs an exceptional piece of wood. This stave was stored outside for 2 years with no sealing of the ends, and has some wood worm through the back. It was more an experiment than anything, so I was pleasantly surprised!
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Nice nocks, got the look of the Mary Rose find :)
Del
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Wow had no idea this could be done. nicely done. i will have to give it a try only made one bow worthy of war bow status due to the lack of yew in my life ash on the other hand, cant move for ash.
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Sweet! Need that FD though
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It's coming! I need to find somebody who can draw it properly and comfortably.
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Wow had no idea this could be done. nicely done. i will have to give it a try only made one bow worthy of war bow status due to the lack of yew in my life ash on the other hand, cant move for ash.
Plenty of other woods can be pushed this far, and then some! Holly, plum, laburnum, hazel, elm, apple... I've seen all of those go to 140, 160lb etc. I've also seen them out-perform Yew bows of the same weight ;)
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Apple, Plum two woods i have yet to try! Have been working down the sap wood on a near flawless 6 foot piece of laburnum with a 3inch reflex. I say near flawless as there is a huge side branch knot in the handle, would you recon this could make a rare stave into poisonous firewood at upwards of 100#, not to mention the reflex?
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No idea, having never worked with it! The closest I've been to a big laburnum bow was one that Joe Gibbs made at around 175lb I think. Absolute monster at that weight, with a surprisingly deep section, quite unlike ash.
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I've got an eight foot laburnum log in my shed cut last year - half is earmarked for a bow for the missus but I think I'll have a play with the other half.
Incidentally I haven't sealed the ends or anything, just split it a couple of weeks after it was cut. No checks or other silliness. Just saying... >:D
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Yeah I don't muck about with all that sealing rubbish either :P
As long as it's got plenty of length you'll be fine normally, unless you're very unlucky. Even then, longitudinal cracks can just be filled with glue, clamped shut and forgotten about.
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i see now this ash bows section is pretty wide and shallow that makes sense! I'm with you guys on the not sealing the ends its just so wet in Devon nothing drys out fast to cause any checks to run deep. sometimes though i will cut the stave a bit longer above a side branch, i feel like the knot will hold the wood bellow together then stand it to season with this end up.
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Yeah we're pretty much under water here in Dorset as well. Slow seasoning for heavy bows is never a bad thing!
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Nice bow Will
I'm with you guys about not sealing ends and have never had a problem, even here in Australia where things dry quickly!
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Regarding sealing ends... it may well not be necessary, but it does no harm, especially on a short stave where a split staring in the end could loos vital length.
I have an old tub of PVA so it's no inconvenience for me to do it.
Del
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I've sealed the ends of all my other wood after the hazel I'm working on split for several inches. As you say it does no harm.
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I feel i must take Will to task, regarding his statement [sealing the ends rubbish] its about time he read Ron Hardcastle,s article in The Traditional Bowyer,s Bible Vol. 1 Cuttiing and Seasoning Wood This guy has been making bows from the 1970,s So he should know what he is talking about
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Aww wrist slapped again Brian!?
Look at all these yew staves I sealed with fetching grey paint! I know what I'm doin', honest!
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb363/Will_Sherman/10603798_10153717225461427_1496723579250592226_n_zpsmgpq5kfk.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/Will_Sherman/media/10603798_10153717225461427_1496723579250592226_n_zpsmgpq5kfk.jpg.html)
If only sarcasm worked through text eh?
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Will i hope you will forgive me for being a bit picky,but i do think the colour you have chosen is a bit garish ;) ;) ;)
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Ah, but its for easy visibility in Welsh fog ;)
Oh wait, its the same colour as Welsh fog...!
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I can't believe you got 140# out of an Ash stave. Amazing! :D
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Quick little clip of Joe shooting a sort-of-Livery arrow out of this bow (it's actually 145lb at 30" as it's had a short burst of heat treating since it was finished)
We didn't measure the distance as we couldn't find the arrow but it's bloody quick. It'll be interesting to see what it does with a natural fibre string and a proper arrow at a flight shoot.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/142180646@N05/28331629176/in/dateposted