Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Keenan on February 22, 2010, 10:41:56 pm
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In the land of yew and juniper it's rare to find something that is straight and clean. Gordon emailed me recently about the juniper bow that I had made him and stated how impressed he was with the juniper. That got me inspired to look for another stave that was similar.
I went for a morning hike and a little bunny hunting down by my parents old ranch. Taking an easy stroll and enjoying some good prayer time on a nice sunny morning, missed a bunny by a hare! Then a big coyote came into view but unfortunately it was on the downwind side and caught my sent. My back was starting to flair up and decided I better start back towards the truck. . I had passed a mile of twisted gnarly junipers. Thats when it happened,,,,,,My eyes locked onto a beautiful sight. There in the distance ahead was an off shoot tree trunk straight and clean with just the perfect lean. As I got closer it looked even better. Leaning away from the main trench at about a thirty degree angle, no branches at all on the inside top of the shoot. Size was a perfect 3.5" at the base and stove pipe straight for 75 inches.
I knew I had found something very sweet and definitely rare but it wasn't until I got it cleaned up today did I realize just how blessed I had been to stroll upon this one. I haven't been this excited about a stave in a while.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/BOWS/IMG_1906.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/BOWS/IMG_1918.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/BOWS/IMG_1908.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/BOWS/IMG_1920.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/BOWS/IMG_1924.jpg)
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Wow, that does look sweet. Can't to see what you do with it....
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Don't know much about that wood, but that looks perty swell to me!
(It's called good living son) O:)
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Nice find Keenan, that is some beautiful wood you got there my friend. :)
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MAN,you just have the luck dont you...i have NEVER in my time have seen a straighter peice of juniper ever...all those pin knots are going to look wonderful in the bow..glad to see my brother got blessed today...john
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Oh man Keenan, that's as nice a piece of juniper as I have ever seen. I can't wait to see what you create from that.
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juniper is definately one of the prettiest woods
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That is some nice looking Juniper. Great find.
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oh my!
that right there looks like a gift from the bow gods.....
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WOW...can't wait to see these turn to bows!
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Yup, you know when you see the one. (That applied to Mrs Cat too :) )
I got some great Yew at the weekend, (2 logs one about 6" one about 4) I'm a bit twitchy about splitting the big one, as it should yield 4 bows.
I may saw it to be on the safe side, but I'll need a bigger band saw first. ::)
That's a handsome piece of timber...
Have fun
Del
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Beautiful stave's Keenan.They should be something special. :)
Pappy
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Dang looks real nice Keenan, I have a B Day approaching ;) :D 8)
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" I went for a morning hike and a little bunny hunting down by my parents old ranch. Taking an easy stroll and enjoying some good prayer time on a nice sunny morning, missed a bunny by a hare! " I don't about juniper but I can't wait to recoup from this operation so I can get in the woods with my bow. I loved that little description you gave of your roving session. :) Jawge
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Jawge, It's good to see you home and posting again. Been keeping you in the prayers, and glad that sharing my morning venture was inspiring for you. I know how it can be, just looking at the walls and waiting to get healed enough to get out and enjoy the sites and smells.
Yes, definitely feeling blessed to have found this one. Just hope that I do this one justice and not mess it up ::)
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Keenan, is this Juniper you talk about the same as Eastern Red Cedar ?
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No John, though they are in the same family they are different trees. ERC can be a good bow wood and is incredibly beautiful however it can also be brittle and should be backed. Same with juniper in most cases. Juniper actually has about 7-8 different sub species. And can range from shrubs to fairly good size trees. Mountain Juniper is the toughest but also hardest to find a straight knot free piece. Takes a good book and carefull study of the twigs to tell the difference.
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Thanks !
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Are there mountain juniper in New York state??? That is a premium set of staves - how will you season them ?? Looking forward to a great piece of work !!!
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Barebo, I don't know what is native where you are but I would suggest getting a tree Id book for your area. I have one that is "Peterson Field Guides Western Trees" And I love it has pics and all the data on climate and characteristics. as far as seasoning, I have been trying some new methods that seem to be working. In the past I always used paint or polyurethane to seal and slow drying process to prevent checking. However I've found that Welders Splatter shield works very well. It's a spray on wax type coating used for welding and I've tried it with good success. With Juniper it's important to get the bark off soon as possible because wood wasp love to lay eggs in the bark.
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Oof, looks like premium to me :P
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Sweet Keenan, now you have to do a build along. ;)
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The only juniper that grows here in the UP is a low ground cover bush, guessing its the same in NY unless someone planted it.