Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on April 13, 2009, 10:46:06 pm
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Some time ago I traded Manny some vine maple for a guava stave. I finally got around to doing something with it and here is what I ended up with. The bow is 66” long ntn and 55# @ 27” (sorry Manny I just can’t handle those 70+ lbs beasts that you crank out). The limbs are 1 ¼” wide at the fades tapering to 3/8” at the tips. The tip overlays are some sort of tropical hardwood that I cut from a scrap of flooring. The handle is made from dyed elk hide and I dyed the guava tan to help bring out the wood’s beautiful grain. The stave had some worm damage that threatened to compromise the back so I wrapped the affected area with serving and sealed it with superglue. The finish is Tru-Oil. I heat-treated the belly after the initial brace and tried to flip the tips up, but it didn’t really take. Not that it made any difference because I don’t think the bow took any set at all.
I must say I really am impressed with guava as a bow wood. I would rate it right up there with osage except it does not respond to heat bending quite as nicely. The wood is very dense and scraps nicely. It does, however, tend to clog the teeth of a Nicolson 49 quickly. I found the best way to hog off wood is with a farrier’s rasp. One more thing, be careful not to get a splinter with this wood, they are murder!
Overall, as a bow wood I would rate guava just behind osage but in front of vine maple. Manny, thank you for the opportunity – your wood rocks!
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_1.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_2.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_3.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_4.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_5.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_6.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_7.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Guava/Guava_8.jpg)
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Gordon, It's a great looking bow as usual, and you got to keep some of the beautiful heartwood as well on the belly. The Tru-Oil is a good choice from what I see as well.
I too have a similar Guava bow which is a favorite as well, and I think this wood really shines in very dry, and hot weather as well.
Rich-
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Verry beautiful bow,Was it tough to tiller with that dip below the handle?
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wow,that is great work gordon...so,was that wood a differant adventure for you...i see you are still going at it with the paper thin nocks...congrats on bow.john
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Thank you Rich. I was so pleased that some of the heartwood remained after tillering. I just love the look of it.
Pennhawk, thank you for the compliment. Yes, the reflex on one end of the handle did present some challenge. But I think I handled it okay.
Thank you John. I am enjoying working with all these different woods. They each have their own special character and challenges and guava is certainly no exception. I'd say guava is very much like a fine lady - not exactly prim and proper, a little on the wild side, kinda high maintanence, and an absolute pleasure to look at and handle ;D
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Dang Gordon, That is a thing of beauty, absolutely outstanding workmanship. Love all your bows but that one really sticks me in the craw.:)
Funny how we seem to post our bows about the same time? :)
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WOW :o :o :o Gordon you are the master my friend. There just doesn't seem to be any type bow or wood that you don't turn into a masterpiece. I knew that you had some beauty in the works and I should have known it was that guava stave. Love the stain coloring,the tips the profile and everything sure make that a nice package. How do you like shooting the Manny style grip? I'm hoping maybe this will be the year that I get to work my guava that I got from Manny. It such nice wood and so strong I haven't wanted to work it until I am back to shooting weight.
Congratulations on another incredible bow. Ps. Like the shirt. Keenan
Now we are going to have to make a new rule for the rendezvous,,,,,,,no guava bows allowed
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Tim, thank you for the nice words. I guess that great minds just think alike!
Keenan my friend, thank you so much for your compliments. Whenever I see your beautiful bows they just makes me want to improve my skills. You have a way with wood that I admire greatly. Regading the Rendezvous - we agreed that you would limit your entries to wood from the east side and I to wood from the west side. But I we never said how far west ;D
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Another beauty, Gordon. I have made one guava bow and still have a very snaky, worm hole ridden guava that still scares the pi$$ out of me. One day I will get the courage to tackle it. I enjoyed working with guava and apparently so did you.
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Great job on that Gordon. i especially like the heartwood in the belly. like i said before, doesnt seem to me like youve ever posted a bow that hasnt made my jaw drop. excellent work my friend!
Phil
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Gordon that it Premo, top notch,excelent, great 8). Phillip
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Beautiful wood, beautiful bow. Nice job Gordon!
Keith
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Thank you Pat. The worm holes are somewhat disconcerting. For the most part, however, I don't think they are a problem unless they are running close and parallel to the back. Just go for it!
Thank you Phil, I much appreciate the compliment.
Thank you for the nice words Philip.
Thank you Keith.
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Beautiful bow Gordon, Cheers! RT
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Beautiful bow Gordon,nice work. :)
Pappy
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Looks great Gordon, that Guava is some beautiful looking wood eh :)
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Great job on your bow Gordon! Definitely another eye catcher, I'd bet Manny will be pleased with your work on some of his guava. :)
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Another beauty Gordon! ;D I love the contrast of the heart and sapwood.
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A real beauty Gordon, nice job.
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Gorgeous bow, tips, handle and all. What a serious candidate for April Self Bow of the Month!!
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. I'd say guava is very much like a fine lady - not exactly prim and proper, a little on the wild side, kinda high maintanence, and an absolute pleasure to look at and handle ;D
I like that one Gordon ;D
....great final product, not that we can expect anything less from you ;)
I was really looking forward to hear your assestment of the wood, the opinion from a bowyer of your caliber is very important, glad you liked the wood.
.........gotta love those staves where the spolted wood flows around like that :)
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Beauty! The color and character of guava really is something... stained, or natural.
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Great job! The bow looks really good!
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That is another beauty Gordon! Wait, did somebody already say that? Excellent finish work!
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VERY VERY NICE! great looking bow Gordon.. as usual.. should let the air out of them for sure... HAWK
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You are the man Gordon! Everything you make is eye candy. Well done, again.
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very nice bow. the wood looks really good with that dye
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Thank you RT.
Thank you for the compliment Pappy.
Thank you Dana, the wood is beautiful indeed when it is finished.
Thank you Ryan. I think Manny liked it.
Thank you Dano.
Thank you Manny. Your beautiful bows provided the inspiration for this effort.
Thank you for the nice words Bear.
Thank you JustAim.
Thank you Paul, I appreciate the compliment.
Thank you Hawk. I imagine this bow would hunt just fine, though I'll probably use it more for 3D shoots.
Thank you adb.
Thanks Jesse, I like how the dye turned out.
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That's another very beautiful bow! Really like this one!
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HEY GORDON,i was going to ask if you and big b are coming over for the gathering this year..john
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Thank you Frank. I appreciate the compliment. How have you been?
John, I assume you are referring to the Eastside gathering that Keenan and Dave organize. If so, the answer is yes - I wouldn't miss it for anything!
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Stunning Work Gordon! 8) Your bows are like prize fighters... put through a detailed planned work out, they weigh in just right, ready to get the job done! Joe H
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another fine bow! guava sounds like my kinda lady ;) would like to try it sometime. looking forward to the gathering and seeing it in person. great work as usual.
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Gotta keep coming back and look at this bow, Gordon you did such fine work, the fact that a bowyer of your caliber used Guava and liked it, and guava being my baby, I feel even better than whem I post a bow of my own ;D
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What big gathering? ;D Is there going to be a general invitation for PA members? ;)
Keith
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Gordon-
That bow turned out fantastic!!
I love how the dark heart wood looks.
I may have to dig out the stave of guava that I have.
I better finish the three bows I already started.
Blacktail- of course I'll be there. Looking forward to seeing some of your Dacite points.
Bryan
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Another gorgeous piece of work Gordon! You never dissappoint. It's always a pleasure to look at your bows. :)
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What big gathering? ;D Is there going to be a general invitation for PA members? ;)
Keith
we have a bowyers gathering in central oregon on may 14-16. if you would like to attend, drop me a PM and I will send you a flyer. love to have you.
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Bowyers gathering :D :D Heck it's just a bunch of us big kids playing with sticks and stones and running around in loin cloths shootin at anything that moves or resembles a target :o :o
Again nice bow Gordon but I'm fairlly sure that Dave has a secret weapon up his sleave that is going to Humnble the "over hill gang" AKA "Westside group" on the flight shoot >:D
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Gotta keep coming back and look at this bow, Gordon you did such fine work, the fact that a bowyer of your caliber used Guava and liked it, and guava being my baby, I feel even better than whem I post a bow of my own ;D
I can see you feeling good about it Manny!
Keep coming back, too, because this bow looks like a Manny/Gordon-Hybrid to me.
I'll be in Brazil again in June/July and I might get a chance to cut me some guava...
Again really nice bow!
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Another beauty Gordon!I like it .I've never tried that wood,but it looks like I might,if I get a chance. God Bless
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Thank you Joe, that is a colorful metaphor!
Thank you Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing you at the gathering.
Thank you Manny. I tried to add elements of your style to this bow and I really like how it worked out.
Keith, anyone who has an interest in primitive bows, archery, tipis, etc. can go. I sent you a PM.
Thank you Bryan. You better move on those 3 bows before I grab that guava stave away from you ;D
Hmm, Dave has a secret weapon. Well Keenan, we'll just have to see about that 8)
Thank you Frank. I love Manny's bows so it's not surprising that I copied some of his style.
Thank you Pete. It is very cool wood - you should try it if you get a chance.