Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on August 08, 2010, 11:35:56 pm

Title: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 08, 2010, 11:35:56 pm
This is a bow that I made for a friend of mine (Buffalo) on the east side. It is made from a single stave of low elevation yew. I wanted to see what I could get out of such wood so I kept the limbs a bit wider than usual  ( 1 3/8”), made the belly only slightly oval and heat treated it, and heated in some reflex in the tips.  The resulting bow came in at 72# @ 29” and took practically no set during tillering.  The bow is 67” ntn with asymmetrical limbs. I backed it with rawhide and finished it with Tru-Oil. The tips are from an elk shed that I picked up on the coast and the handle is elk hide with a John Strunk style wrap.  Photos were taken on the North Umpqua River in Oregon.

My friend had to wait a year for the bow, but I think he is going to like it.

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_1.jpg?t=1281318731)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_2.jpg?t=1281318896)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_3.jpg?t=1281318949)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_4.jpg?t=1281318990)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_5.jpg?t=1281319029)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_6.jpg?t=1281319070)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_7.jpg?t=1281319106)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Buffalos%20Yew%20Bow/BuffaloYewBow_8.jpg?t=1281319147)

Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Thwackaddict on August 08, 2010, 11:40:24 pm
Absolutely beautiful Gordon.I really like how clean and fluid your bows are.They jus flow!!Great job and inspiring to us all.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: james parker on August 08, 2010, 11:41:28 pm
dang gordon,thats nice,how hard would it be to get a bow simular to that from you?
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Timo on August 08, 2010, 11:46:08 pm
Outstanding work Gordon! (The bow of course),but my eye is seeing more of the photo composition than the bow...sorry but...WOW very nice work on the pics.

I know you pride yourself on your pics,and I admire that.When one does such a  fine job of craftsmanship,then it should be shown in manner that which complements the subject. Absolutely astounding!

Maybe the PTB should start another contest for pic of the month?......Never mind, we would all loose to you sir. Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: aero86 on August 08, 2010, 11:48:25 pm
pffft.  you hope he likes it, i doubt it.  hes gonna LOVE it!  i know i would.  its a work of art!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: walkabout on August 08, 2010, 11:52:31 pm
great job, that bow is very elegant . im sure your friend will be more than pleased.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: ken75 on August 08, 2010, 11:54:51 pm
very classy ! what i've come to expect
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: woodstick on August 09, 2010, 12:30:01 am
wow allways a great bow.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: RyanY on August 09, 2010, 12:32:35 am
Jaw dropping. I need friends like you.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Tsalagi on August 09, 2010, 12:50:23 am
That's a great looking bow! I especially like the red bands painted towards the ends.

I also like your hat. You don't see those too often.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Josh on August 09, 2010, 12:58:15 am
Your attention to detail shows in every bow you create, Gordon.  Tiller looks awesome as well as your finish work.  I bet your friend will think it was way worth the wait for this beauty.   Got Buffalo's Bow bookmarked for Aug. BOM too.  :)
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Pat B on August 09, 2010, 12:59:35 am
Another beauty Gordon. I love seeing your work.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: AncientArcher76 on August 09, 2010, 01:06:50 am
Gordon as always great work my friend and those camera angles are stunning absolutley make the effect more dramatic.  The bow has some great lines I like the tips as well as the handle wrap!  Need I say more??!!

Russell
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: NTD on August 09, 2010, 01:44:00 am
Absolutely jaw dropping work Gordon.  Just when I thought you couldn't raise the bar any higher, there you go.  Inspiring to say the least.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 09, 2010, 02:36:53 am
Thank you for the compliment Randy.

Sent you a PM James, and thank you for the compliment.

Tim, I was in one of the most beautiful spots in the Pacific NW this weekend and happened to have the bow and a camera. What else could I do  :D. Thank you so much for your nice words.

Thank you Aero, it is nice to see that people like yourself enjoy this kind of work.

Thank you Richard. I appreciate it.

Thank you for the nice compliment Ken.

Thank you Woodstick.

Thank you for the compliment Ryoon.

Thank you Tsalagi. The red bands are actually wraps. The hat is Austrian - you don't see too many of them around here.

Thank you Josh, what a nice compliment.

Thank you Pat, that means a lot coming from you.

Thank you for the really nice words Russell.

What a nice thing to say NTD, thank you.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: adb on August 09, 2010, 03:35:20 am
Friggin' h-e-double toothpicks... I'd gladly wait a year for a bow like that! It's always a pleasure to see your work, Gordon.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: mox1968 on August 09, 2010, 03:39:48 am
heres a challenge gordon,try to make a really horrid bad looking bow,you know I dont think you could do it!!even if you were handed an old piece of pine flooring you would still produce something that has the rest of us oooing and aaaaaahhing.anyway well done another beauty.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on August 09, 2010, 05:12:34 am
Absolutly nice bow!
Really like the presentation, too!

Met a guy from Belgium a while back, who had made a 70# yew bow from a stave that had grown some meters BELOW sea level; THAT was low elevation yew! He said it's certainly not like highland yew, but it's still good wood.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 09, 2010, 11:13:46 am
Thank you adb.

Thank you for the very nice compliment John.

Thank you Frank. Yew is fine bow wood at any elevation!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Parnell on August 09, 2010, 11:37:21 am

All it's details compliment each other very well.  A beautiful bow and great pictures, Gordon!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Del the cat on August 09, 2010, 11:45:42 am
Thank you Frank. Yew is fine bow wood at any elevation!
Indeed...
Nice bow, I don't think one has to make allowances for where the Yew grew. I think the Yew is quite capable of making allowances for us!
Del
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Barrage on August 09, 2010, 12:00:15 pm
Now that is a sharp looking bow!  Very nice Gordon.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: cowboy on August 09, 2010, 12:24:46 pm
Can't add much to what's already been said Gordon. Absolutely beautiful bow! Oh, yeah - and I like that scenery too..
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Blacktail on August 09, 2010, 01:35:40 pm
wow,that is great gordon..he is going to love that stick...i really want to see the look on his face...john
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Elktracker on August 09, 2010, 03:13:11 pm
You have some very lucky friends!!!!! great job as always Gordon
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 09, 2010, 04:43:06 pm
That is a fantastic bow Gordon! The tiller and finish work are stunning. Jawge
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Lombard on August 09, 2010, 06:44:53 pm
Gordon, another beauty. Man you can make em. If you want to challenge your expert abilities, I just cut down a sweet gum, full of knots, propeller twist, and wiggles, plus it is sweet gum, not good bow wood. Although in your hands it would most likely come back one of the best bows ever. I on the other hand will be using it for firewood, and it is not even that great for that.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: bowkee on August 09, 2010, 07:19:12 pm
Gordon another wonderful Bow :)
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Kegan on August 09, 2010, 07:29:38 pm
Simply gorgeous! Is that closer to a D bow or a flatbow in design, Gordon?
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 09, 2010, 09:05:17 pm
Great looking bow Gordon.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Sanford on August 09, 2010, 09:06:57 pm
I said above the canyon wall!
Some strong eyes did glow....
It was the leader of the land baby, Oh my God,
The great White Buffalo! Look out!


haha came to mind after seeing the name.

But really the Bow looks absolutely stunning! Great work!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: ErictheViking on August 10, 2010, 03:24:28 am
Stunning Gordon, simply stunning.  That is a beauty. The rawhide looks flawless.  Gotta admire a good piece of yew.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Pappy on August 10, 2010, 08:07:23 am
Beautiful bow Gordon,all aspects.  :)
   Pappy
   
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 10, 2010, 04:52:03 pm
Thank you Parnell, I’m glad you liked the pictures and the bow.

Thank you Del, I agree with your assessment of Yew.

Thank you Barrage.

Thank you for the compliment Paul. The scenery on the N. Umpqua is first rate.

Thank you John, I think Buffalo will like it.

Thank you Elktracker.

Thank you for the compliment George.

Thank you for the nice compliment Lombard.

Thank you bowkee.

Thank you Kegan. I think you would properly call this a flat bow design.

Thank you Marc.

That’s pretty funny Sanford. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Scott.

Thank you for the compliment Eric.

Thank you Pappy, I appreciate your kind words.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: straightarrow on August 11, 2010, 07:12:17 am
I fall in love with every bow you post.....I haven't been on this site very long or making bows. Your craftsmanship really stands out.....very impressive!!!!

Jon
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Shaun on August 11, 2010, 07:57:39 am
Gordon, I picked up a nice stave of yew at MOJam and your bow post has me inspired again. Nice to see an "old school" type yew bow with draw weight to match. As usual, your attention to detail and tiller shape set the standard for us all to work towards.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 12, 2010, 02:28:32 am
Thank you Jon.

Thank you Shaun for the nice compliment.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: n2huntn on August 12, 2010, 03:54:19 am
Inspirational work, craftmanship and artistry in one. Hats off to you sir.
Jeff
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Matthias Wiltschko on August 12, 2010, 04:48:45 am
Gordon, that's a masterpiece!

Makes me wanna work on yew.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: okiecountryboy on August 12, 2010, 08:32:32 am
Beauty, and simplicity all rolled into one!
Fine job!
I love it....
God Bless


Ron
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: denny on August 12, 2010, 10:16:39 am
What a friend you arr ! That is a beauty and the back drop brings you close to nature. The bow is a hand of the God's ,Oh and yours too Gordon . lol Thanks for sharing. Denny
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: brownhillboy on August 12, 2010, 02:46:40 pm
Gorgeous!!  Another beauty Gordon!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 13, 2010, 02:01:15 am
Thank you so much Jeff.

Thank you for the compliment Steilpassfänger. Where in Austria do you live?

Thank you for the nice words Ron.

Thank you Denny, I appreciate it.

Thank you brownhillboy.

















Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: ohma on August 13, 2010, 01:41:36 pm
you sir make pictures and wood a fine art, both are spectacular.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: DirtyDan on August 13, 2010, 02:11:22 pm
Gordon, How can you out-do yourself over and over.  This is another outstanding bow.  I am working a yew bow right now and your bow is really inspirational.  I am glad to know about the heat treating;  I wasn't sure about heat with yew.  Great tiller, decoration and stying as always.  Thanks for sharing.
Dan
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: youngbowyer33 on August 13, 2010, 09:46:19 pm
WWHAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?look at that! Excellent job!!!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: PeteC on August 13, 2010, 09:55:28 pm
That is a gorgeous bow Gordon.Great job on that low elevation wood.How much did you treat the yew?,slightly toasted,well browned,or somewhere in between? God Bless
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 14, 2010, 01:10:43 am
Thank you ohma. With all the effort you put into a decent bow, the least one can do is present it nicely. Thank you again.

Thank you Dan. This was the first time I tried heat treating yew and wasn't sure what to expect. I'm pleased with how well it worked.

Thank you youngbowyer.

Thank you Pete. I gave the belly a deep heat treat. It took about an hour per limb and the surface was dark brown when I was done.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on August 14, 2010, 04:11:50 am
Keep coming back to this one. I think it's as nice a bow as can be, realy like everything about it!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 15, 2010, 10:28:26 am
Thank you Frank!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: StanM on August 16, 2010, 02:09:21 am
Lots and lots of beautiful bows on this site. Many are creative and all are unique.  However, there is just something about a selfbow that turns my crank. No lams, no bamboo backing, just a simple effective hunting weapon. This is another beautiful example of that. Hat's off!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: dragonman on August 16, 2010, 04:15:48 pm
Thats a real nice looking bow Gordon, my compliments!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 18, 2010, 02:56:16 am
Thank you for the really nice compliment Stan.

Thank you dragonman.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Keenan on August 21, 2010, 11:50:13 am
Wow Gordon, Just doesn't get any better then that! Buffalo will be pleased for sure.  I'm going to have to give him a call and see that one in person. The profile is great, the thread wraps are in the perfect place to do what they are supposed to do,  and the handle wrap excellent as always. You always complete the package perfectly! 
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: swamp yeti on August 24, 2010, 10:50:37 am
                                                             That is one nice looking bow.
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Tom Leemans on August 24, 2010, 11:21:55 am
Oh myyyyy!
Title: Re: Buffalo's Bow
Post by: Gordon on August 25, 2010, 12:30:06 am
Keenan, thank you so much for the fine compliment. I am very much looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!

Thank you swamp yeti.

Thank you Tom.