Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Timo on March 05, 2010, 10:46:43 pm
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I called this bow"Uno Java" Just seemed to fit.:)
This is the “Kentucky Coffee Tree” bow that I just finished up. 65” ntn-50# @ 28”- I left the sap wood on it and as you will see in one of the pics, the bottom limb is mostly sapwood. Not much imfo on this wood out there so I had to wing it on design. I tried one of these last winter with terrible results, This one came out a lot better. Seems to shoot very fast and light in the hand. I backed it with some cherry bark that I have had around here for several years. My first time with this type of backing. I will be doing it again. The pics don’t do the beauty of the backing justice. The tips overs are ipe with a touch of blood wood on top. I tru oiled this bow with an overspray of satin poly.
This wood is well worth your time to work if you ever get the chance to. Thanks for lookin
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more pics.
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Very,very,very nice bow. I love all of your bows :)
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wow, what is up with you dude? you are the man, your inspiring me to get off my arse :) i need to get one of your beauties.
JD
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great looking bow I like the backing alot!
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That is a real beauty. The tiller looks great as well as the cherry bark backing. Fine work as always.
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That is a great looking bow. The tiller is immaculate.
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I hope you're bring that to OJAM. That is gorgeous! Great job.
I think Ralph Renfro has made 1 or 2 from Coffee tree. He called it Kentucky Coffee. Is that the same stuff?
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I have to agree Justin, the tiller is very pleasing to the eye. Someone behind that camera knows what there doing, perfectly clear lines.
JD
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Timo, it's this kind of elegant simplicity that makes primitive archery a worthwhile endeavor.
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Whoa Baby! That turned out a NICE! Looks way better than that "stringy" fella holdin' it ;D :P
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I really like your bow. Looks like you have a shooter there.
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Another Fine Bow Timo...love the Cherry Bark too....really nice Tiller
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That tiller makes my shoulders relax. I just feels good to look at. Nice creek too.
Gabe
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Looks amazing!
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Hi, I agree, that looks great!
Ron
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Sometimes there is a bow being posted here that is simply outstanding...such as this one!
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Really encouraging to see that bow!
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A real quality product you have made. I love seeing what craftsmen can do with wood and leather. One of the nicest bows I have seen!
Nat
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god bless kentucky and the wood that made that bow!!!!!!!!!! :) 8)
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A very fine looking bow and a great work with this cherry-bark-backing.
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Dang Timo she's beautiful :) Tiller is flawless and the cherry bark dresses her up right nice :)
Probably won't get to the stave you sent me till next year, spring is coming and I'm tired of being house bound :)
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Thanks all for the very kind words. O:)
The cherry bark is very interesting stuff. One wouldn't think you could get it to look like anything when you glue it on,but when you start to clean it up? It's just amazing stuff. ;)
Rossfactor mentioned the creek? It's about 100 yds out my backdoor,we go down there alot. Nice to have it so close. ;)
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Excellent Timo, The cherry bark backing,matching tips smooth graceful lines tiller and profile are all top notch perfect. congratulations on an excellent bow.
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Cool bow, Tim. Cherry bark is interesting to work with . I've made 4 or 5 with cherry bark backing and the last two I left the lichens and mosses attached and that has an interesting look too. It is cool stuff either way.
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Respect - you've done everything right 8)
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I never heard of coffee wood, but it obviously will make a fine bow. I don't see any seams on the backing - did you find a continous length of bark? The closeup of the handle area shows the craftsmanship nicely. And I love the full draw with the creek in the background.
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Amazing bow n' great scenery! ;D Ty
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Thanks again all. O:)
Gordon, coffee tree is not real common in my area,but it can be found. The cherry bark is in short pieces, I just used a skive joint.I first had them wrapped with thread but didn't really care for it, So I removed them and just left it. Here's a pic of the joints.Can't feel them but they can be seen.
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That's one beautiful bow. Tiller's fantastic, slick tips, love the bark. Where to you get cherry bark anyways? I like that look better than snake skin.
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Simply beautiful - great pics too.
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you're a machine! do you sleep? seems like every week you turn out a work of art weapon that looks like it took a year to make! i'm humbled.
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First of all, thanks for the very well done pictures.
Got this very well crafted bow bookmarked for March Self BOM fun, too.
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Keep coming back here, hoping for a pic of the belly grain...
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I just can't believe the amount of skill on this website. Awesome bow.
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Medicine wheel wrote
Keep coming back here, hoping for a pic of the belly grain...
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Yeah, thanks a lot Timo! ...had an idea it would lookk great from the one picture of the tip!
Is it the normal colour or did it darken from some heat treatment??
PS: this sure is one sexy bow!!!
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Beautiful work,very nice looking bow. :)
Pappy
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Timo - that is a real beauty of a bow. The cherry bark is very nice looking and the profile pictures look tremendous. Way to go on something a bit different!
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I love that bow and everything about it. I've been whittling on a hickory with about the same dimensions and shape but if it lives (knot in the back splitting) it won't look near that nice. Great job.
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Stunning! Very Nice work. Hey, I live in southern MO do you know if it is possible to find KYcoffee tree around here? I have no idea what to look for.
Great job I always love the cherry backed ones.
Mark
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Thanks again everyone for the nice words about this bow. O:)
Commadore, you should have some down your way,here is a link to a page full of pics, The bark pics in these represent the species quite well.
http://images.google.com/images?q=Kentucky_coffeetree&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi
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Ok thanks Timo! I am sure I've seen some around here. I'll have to fire the saw up and go looking, (well I'll look before I fire it up)
Mark
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I've thought about that wood for years. Have a tree right in front of the office. Great work and masterful finishing.
Dave
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Beautiful as usual Tmo. Looks kinda like Ash.
Crick is perty. Frogs are loud. ;-)
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Looks awesome, I like the looks of the grain near the fades.
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That is an outstanding bow Timo.I like everything about it. Great job. God Bless
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It does look like Ash, that is very sweet Timo. keep me in mind for another trade. I'll make it worth your time ;K
Rich- into diversity ;D
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Thats one beautiful lookin piece of wood there Tim!
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Thanks again all. The wood does favor ash in alot of respects, but looks alot like sassafras.
medicine wheel wrote
Is it the normal colour or did it darken from some heat treatment??
Sorry I forgot to answer your question. the natural color of the heart wood is an orange pink.I heated the belly to get it to turn the color it is now. It actually turns purple with heat, but it left after finish sanding.
The sapwood is a very pale yellow color. I was going to leave it natural, but it shot so well that I decided that I might hunt with it, so I give it some natural camo. ;D
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I've seen a lot of nice looking bows on here, but I have to say, that is something special right there.
I just kept staring at the pictures. Thanks for sharing, man, well done.
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wow tim you just inspired me to put the rocks down and make a bow. shes beautiful
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Timo, just had to take another look at this excellent bow that you made. Excellent in every way. Love it
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What a super fine lookin bow Timo,you did a great job.
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Timo, been a while since I cruised the PA site and what a treat to find this one! The tiller on that bow inspires me to keep reaching. Its tough enough with Gordon out there, now you too? Thanks man for lighting the fire.
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Thanks again for the nice words all.
Shaun, long time no hear? Good to know that my work inspires someone, this craft should always yield something good and positive. As a bowyer the biggest compliment he can ever hope to achieve is that from his peers. We never know if what we accomplish will ever touch someone in a way that may make them strive to build their next bow a little better. A better arc, a better finish, a better design, or a step off into the grass to try something new,even though it is clearly marked that they should not?
Keep the fire burning brother. ;)
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i cant believe the finish work you do and the tiller is so wonderful...i have to say that you are a master of such fine work..i would love to see what you could do with a piece of yew wood..john
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Beautiful looking wood and bow! Excellent work!
Venom
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.i would love to see what you could do with a piece of yew wood..john
John, I tried it a couple years a ago. can't handle it,I had a reaction to the dust, so I have to stay away from it.
Thanks. ;)
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Timo,
I'm new to this site but have about 60 bows completed. I'm curious about the coffee wood. I picked up a couple of pieces at a small mill in northern Kentucky last week. Did you round the belly somewhat? The staves were not handled very carefully and the sapwood is gouged enough where I will have to get below it for a good growth ring. Your bow looks very straight grained. Was it naturally straight? Did you straighten or can you get by with grain running off the edge somewhat. Not sure I have enough width for a tapered limb like yours. Have you tried a long bow out of coffee. The cherry bark is a very nice touch.
HB
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HB, the belly is radius somewhat. mainly the corners are rounded to give it some flow and help with tweaking the tiller.
this bow came from a very straight stave which I cut myself. I haven't worked with this wood much ,so I am not real sure what one can and can't get away with, although I do feel that one has to give it some width.
I haven't tried a longbow from it.
Thanks for the good words, and good luck with yours.
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A very Elegant bow Timo and pleasing to the eye. Denny
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How do you use cherry bark as backing? That is a beautiful bow.
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How do you use cherry bark as backing? That is a beautiful bow.
Timo hasnt been on since wayyyyy back in march so don't expect an answer from him
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Soak the bark in water to soften it and then apply it with, my preferred, TB3.
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Timo- Made a few coffee wood bows myself now. Sadly by the time I got to it the wood was already milled up so it all had to be backed. I love the belly grain on your bow, and the cherry bark just adds that extra special touch. Now I want to make another one!! :) Wonder if I planed out some coffee wood shafts how they would hold up? Anyone out there try that yet?
G
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Elegant! :)