Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: half eye on June 11, 2010, 02:47:57 pm
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Fellas,
Thought I'd make me a heavyweight NA bow. Went to 45 inches, black walnut in the single side scalloped style of the Ojibwa (Chippewa). The bow weighs 52# @ 19" and I cant pull it beyond 23/24 inches. It is capable of drawing a full 26" but only if I hang it on the wall and pull with both hands.
Other than the deerhair roach there is no decoration. Thought I'd do the NA thing where it doesn't get decorated untill it "proves" itself and I get a vision about what might be appropriate. The bow was smoked for 36 hrs, then got 3 coats of grease and smoked a little more to "set" everything.
See what ya think. Couple of pic posts with details.
Rich
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Here's the detail shots
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looks fantastic Rich, i might have to see if i can set up a trade with you sometime for one of your short NA bows, i love 'em.
Quick question i am working on the shortest bow i've made to date (52"), what brace height do you use on short bows like this?
thanks, Dan.
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Dan,
I brace just high enough to no hit my little sissy paw :D They used to brace them pretty low, and drag the fletch back across the bow and let the string smack their hand......so if you are using standard size fletch I'd make it enough to clear them, and call it good. JMO
Rich
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Rich, that bow is SPECTACULAR!!! I love that you can get such a high draw with such a short bow... The scallops on the side are perfect. Even though we don't get along that good, awesome work deserves to be praised. :)
EDIT: How wide is it at the fades inside the scallops?
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rich im always amazed at the bend you get on your bows , awesome work , love that black walnut
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Awesome! I am a big fan of BW but you have that thing doing stuff I didn't think was possible. You are a true master at this and I love everything I've seen you post. Great job!
Mark
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My favorite kind of bow - simple but elegant design, masterful execution that shows of the natural beauty of the wood without a lot of doohickeys and jingle-jangles. Another masterpiece, my friend!
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Thanks fella's for the nice comments. The bow measures 1-1/4" inside the scallops at the grip, 1-1/2" at the peak of the scallops and the tips are 3/4" inside the scallops below the string grove. The bow is flat on one side and tapered on the arrow pass side they are cut allmost like a Sudbury....minus the "waisted" grip.
Rich
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Rich ...yyyoooouuuuu! Your gonna force me to move west my friend..lol Another awesome piece! I am gong to apply some of those techniques u showed me and make a few myself. Im searching for some new material for us to ...I mean U to work on Rich. I love the eastern woodlands and the arctic where to next the plains like Apache, Soiux, comanche, well I geuss next time we chat we can mull it over eh? Rich amazing work my friend I will talk to u soon! Enjoy the tatonka hide.
Russ
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I'm not sure I can say things as well as the other guys. This one is a beauty. The black walnut is beautiful wood.
Dane
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Nice! You are very talented :) Funny thing about BW is many downplay it as a good bow wood and I've seen some fine bows from it! I have a HUGE BW tree with my name on it once I get time. I may push forward with it now ;)
One question- are the scallops functional or decorative?
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WOW,you are definetly an artist even without the artwork on the bow I've done a couple of black walnuts,great wood to work and quite the aroma-Hammertime
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Thats a very authentic looking NA bow you've made there Rich, I didnt realize BW would take a design that short, I've never seen it done before. I'm impressed, beautiful too!!. How does it shoot?? Is there hand shock in those short bows that bend throughout? There would probably be with a long bow,but maybe its different with short bows? I'm gonna have to try one now Would rock maple take a design like this> :)
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That ia a beautiful bow Rich.I really like it.Brace and full draw are very pretty.Great job! God Bless
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Gald to see you still posting Rich, wish I could build a bow, not much to do here in Fultondale Alabama as far as bows go. When I get back to Missouri I plan on bringing some things back. In the meantime I'll just enjoy the post.
Jeff
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Thanks again fella's,
I really like the way walnut works (tools) and it will take a lot of strain. As far as the scallops go I make the bows to shoot before the scallops get carved in. The only thing I noticed is that the draw weight drops a little.....but that's offset with the tiller becoming very even....so my guess is mostly decorational and only partially functional. Not for sure but that has been my experience.
dragonman, I've made several (maybe 9-10) from maple with hard maple and it works very well in these broad, flat designs....only difference would be that the maple will be only about 1/2 to 1/3 as thick, and will have a little more speed. So the short answer is yes it makes a great short bow.
Hammertime, I really like the smell myself....even with the smoking and grease it still smells nice, or maybe it makes the grease smell a little less offensive. Either way I agree with you.
Jeff, will be touching base with you here shortly. Ya better get busy cause them Alabama deers are gonna need some thinnin out!!!!
Rich
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That's a top notch Bow 8)
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Very nice. You did a great job on that bow
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Now I got to drag out the two quartersawn white oak blanks I have and make one of those scalloped edge bows. Thanks for posting halfeye.
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I'm back to bow making next week after nearly three months off (due to work, mainly) and I'll definitely have to give this style a try. Awesome. Thanks for sharing this.
-Doug