Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 01:11:44 am

Title: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 01:11:44 am
 This one is a 52" NTN sinew /sturgeon backed juniper. She is a short horse bow that is 59 lbs at 25" draw. and she has elk antler tips. She was made from the top side of a 6" branch. This bow has been a little over a two year long process. The stave was roughed out and dried for about 1 1/2 years. Sinewed last spring right before my last surgery. Skinned and tillered over the last couple months. This bow is for our horse farrier who brings me the sturgeon skins and some hides now and then. The skins are off of a fish he caught himself. He has been patiently waiting for a couple years now. ::) He has had a heart dream of taking an elk from his horse. He is comming to trim our horses tommarrow. ;D  Now it's up to him to do the rest.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3678.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3662.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3801.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3628.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3734.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3772.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3768.jpg)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 01:17:30 am
 A few more:
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3779.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3776.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3706.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3764.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3782.jpg)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: stickbender on December 14, 2010, 01:34:57 am

     Man, Keenan, that is down right beautiful!  :o :o Be sure to take pictures of your "Shoe man", when you give it to him! 8)

                                                                                        Wayne

Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: El Destructo on December 14, 2010, 01:37:51 am
Sweet Bow Keenan...Glad to see that I am not the Only One that Likes the Guard Spikes of the Sturgeon Hide...I prefer this over the Belly and Side Skin...got more Character....Nice Job.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: bcbull on December 14, 2010, 01:39:39 am
man keenan  that butiful i relley like it  iv only made 1 juniper  have some drying and many more to come as i bought a ranch in utah  place is loaded with juniper  ur puttin ideas in my head haha  great job bro  brock
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: adb on December 14, 2010, 01:56:45 am
Sweet Jesus... that is just drop dead gorgeous. I look in awe. That is truly beautiful!  :o
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: medicinewheel on December 14, 2010, 05:06:26 am
We haven't seen a juniper backed in quite a while!
Absolutely beautiful bow!!!

PS: that's a DREAM of a tiller profile!
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Pappy on December 14, 2010, 06:02:10 am
Now that's a beauty Keenan,love every thing about it.The skins really stand out,if he don't like that ,I know someone that would. ;) ;D ;D Great work. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Cameroo on December 14, 2010, 06:41:20 am
That bow should be on the cover of the next volume of the Bowyer's Bible.  Everything about it is amazing, to say the least.  It's bows like that that inspire all the rest of us to become better at what we do.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: broketooth on December 14, 2010, 07:37:04 am
this bow is beautiful! ive seen another juniper bow you made, for your wife i think, and the ambush bow out of yew, all of which amaze me . especially how all the bows grain looks at the fades. smooth and flawless. no noticable changes at the transition from fade to working portion of the limbs. absolutely stunning .ive been aspiring to this look on a bow im working on. any advice you can give on how you did this would be appreciated. ruddy
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: hillbilly61 on December 14, 2010, 07:47:41 am
Wow Keenan :o That is one awsome work of art!!!!!!!!!! From tip to tip, it shows pure craftmanship
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Steve Milbocker on December 14, 2010, 08:05:11 am
 What a beautiful bow, a work of art for sure.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Dean Marlow on December 14, 2010, 08:47:29 am
That is a beauty. Thanks for sharing. Dean
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Little John on December 14, 2010, 09:14:28 am
Man oh Man Keenan, you  always do such amasing work. That iss pure art and perfect attention to every detail. Beautiful bow. I hope you get many many horse shoeings for this piece and also hope the shoer realizes what he is getting. You are a generous man as I would not be letting this bow go if it were mine.  You have my bow of the month vote hands down.      Kenneth
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: HoBow on December 14, 2010, 09:16:01 am
Awesome job!  Are the sturgeon skins like rawhide or snake skins?  
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: PeteC on December 14, 2010, 09:34:41 am
WOW!! That is an incredible bow Keenan.You bumped up the bar again.Great work. God Bless
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 14, 2010, 09:50:54 am
That bow, Keenan, is one of the most beautiful bows I have ever seen. Well done! Jawge
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Pat B on December 14, 2010, 09:53:59 am
Increbable, Keenan. As always, everything about this bow is beautiful!  I think your tweeking came out better than mine will!  ::)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 10:32:02 am
Thank you everyone,  To be truthfull, I have fallen in love with this bow, and she's a hard one to part with. Seems to shoot right where I look and I definitely have one in the plans for myself. I do know Mike will love it and I'm sure he will be bringing me much more skins as well as a sturgeon fishing trip or two.  I;m just hoping and praying it's not to stout for him. When I finished tillering it was holding around 52 lbs. but after a few more weeks of the skins curing out it has creeped up to 59 lbs. ::)

Pat this isn't the one I was tweeking  ;D

Brookentooth, getting the transition to blend in is a little easier with a slightly less bulbous handle.  On these short bows if you can get then to where you feel just a very slight flex in the handle, you are about where you want.

Jeff, the sturgeon is very tough, much like rawhide but thinner and lighter. Most bottom fish are great for backings. I have one that I'm about to put some ling cod skins on.

Thanks again everyone, It's very moving to know it's inspiring.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Barrage on December 14, 2010, 10:46:47 am
Now that is a bow!!  I love the short sinewed bows and that looks like a beauty.  Thanks for posting - it's an inspiration for sure.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: tattoo dave on December 14, 2010, 10:54:49 am
That's one beautiful bow!! Fantastic work! I love the tips, I've been wanting to try something like that on one of mine. Again great bow, I think i know where my vote is going.

Dave
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: ken75 on December 14, 2010, 11:05:58 am
excellent craftmanship and patients !
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: oneeye on December 14, 2010, 11:14:54 am
Outstanding! gotta get some of those sturgeon skins. Great job on that.    Scott
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: oneeye on December 14, 2010, 11:18:33 am
Keenan, do you use the sturgeon skins wet or can you dry them out with borax first?   Scott
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 11:26:21 am
 Scott,
  For any fish skins it best to just stretch them and staple down to a board, flesh side out. No salt or borax. Then when dry just use a razor and cut out of the board and roll up and store.  Ps Mice love them so be carefull where you store.  When ready to apply soak in the glue untill pliable.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: oneeye on December 14, 2010, 11:34:23 am
Well it looks like I'm going to have to hook up Rip'n Lips and head down to the columbia for a little sturgeon fishing. You fish above or below bonneville for keepers?   Scott
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 12:07:43 pm
Usually right below the Dam Scott. Hey if you make a trip over and want some company give me a shout. I noticed your in Boise. We go through there every now and then.  Years ago when I was doing boiler work I worked for Yankee Energy that is based there in Boise. It would be nice to hook up with you soometime.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Sparrow on December 14, 2010, 12:25:24 pm
You are a true craftsman. Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.  '  Frank
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: bcbull on December 14, 2010, 01:08:14 pm
hey keenan  scott   want to make sure  you guys know i wanna hook up with ya  the ranch  is actually  just a couple hr s south of  ya    give me a shout somtime  ill be movin up there mid jan  brock
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 01:31:36 pm
 Thank you Frank, You are in a Prime spot to obtain some skins ;D

 Oneeye, The scales I was originally reluctant to do because of the barbs, but he really wanted them so I went for it and in the process learned how it can be done and work. As we all know that when trying to string a bow or put it in a sock that barbs can snag or even give a nasty cut. So I took some diagonal snips and trimmed the barbs then used a dremel to fine buff them and highlight the bone flake.  Several good coats of finish and it's nice and smooth. ;)

 Brock, That would be great. ;)

Here are before and after pics.
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3168.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_3751.jpg)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: ErictheViking on December 14, 2010, 01:45:51 pm
WOW! That is incredible. love the "spine" cominng off the back of that.  That is one lucky man.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: mullet on December 14, 2010, 01:58:11 pm
 WOW!, I don't know how I missed this one. That is a classie looking, shooting stick, Keenan. I have a set of skins I've been waiting on the right bow to use them on.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: GregB on December 14, 2010, 02:12:10 pm
I'm going to add my own personal "WOW!" along with all the others! Beautiful bow and craftmanship! Was sturgeon created for the purpose of backing bows...sure is beautiful! Congrats on a great job finally coming together, and well worth the wait I might add!  ;)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: gutpile on December 14, 2010, 02:12:47 pm
Keenan..longtime friend..how ya been?...thats is a mighty fine bow you built...mighty fine..one of the best I have seen yet..tiller and profile are beautiful..I see you haven't lost your touch....take care..gut...aka..Kirk
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 02:41:06 pm
Eric, Thank you

Eddie, Thank you I'll be looking forward to seeing yours when you "Getter Done"

Greg, Thank you my friend.  Glad to see you back at Pappy's once in a while and glad things are going so well with Linda. ;)

Kirk, How you doing buddy. Thank you for the compliments. Glad to see ya still here. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. Still a little rough on the home front but learning to pace myself and take it one day at a time.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Postman on December 14, 2010, 03:52:20 pm
whatta beauty!
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: dragonman on December 14, 2010, 03:59:44 pm
I agree with all the above, it is a nice looking bow, nice lines and a nice bend, well done
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: kerryb on December 14, 2010, 06:09:09 pm
Very nice, outstanding craftsmanship.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: gstoneberg on December 14, 2010, 06:35:28 pm
That is simply stunning!  Wow.

George
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: n2huntn on December 14, 2010, 06:39:08 pm
Just picked my bom vote for this month.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: bryan irwin on December 14, 2010, 08:23:24 pm
that is one awsome bow can't say anything that hadn't already been said.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: youngbowyer33 on December 14, 2010, 08:42:09 pm
what an amazing bow, hope he gets one!  :)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: John K on December 14, 2010, 08:48:40 pm
I'll add a wow ! Before i even opened the Thread, i thought to myself this is going to be a good one, but WOW !

Great bow Keenan ! Question for you, is ERC in the same family as this Juniper you used ? Again great bow Keenan, i'm not going to post mine this Month  ;) :D
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Gaur on December 14, 2010, 09:15:04 pm
Really beautiful bow.  How big are the surgeons that you get the skins from .  There are a few farm raised ones an hour south of me.   I like how the ridge of bone looks.  Kinda like a dinosaur.  I'm going to be making a sinew backed juniper next year and looking forward to working with it.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on December 14, 2010, 09:18:24 pm
That is a gorgeous bow....I love the nocks.  Has good bit of reflex.  Bet it is a real shooter.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: rileyconcrete on December 14, 2010, 09:37:06 pm
Great bow Keenan.  Love the skins.  I have some juniper roughed out that I hope to get done here shortly.  Great job. Oh and any horse shoer I know is way stout enough to pull 59 LBS.  Should be easy for him.

Tell
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: rossfactor on December 14, 2010, 10:30:25 pm
Juniper is such a warm wood.  I think the finish work really stands out. Excellent stuff.  You always have those nice tips. are they from the base of the antler?
Gabe
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 14, 2010, 11:17:27 pm
Thanks again for the nice compliments,

John, ERC is a cedar and juniper is in the cedar family . They are similar but some distinct differences. Even "Juniper" has many types from mountain juniper (great bow wood) to some other junipers that are like balsa wood.  From what I've heard ERC is about the same caracteristics as Juniper.  But you can get away with unbacked juniper if good and I've heard the opposite about ERC.

Gaur: The skins are off keepers. 36 to 42"

Riley, looking forward to seeing that. And you are right He is fairly stout. Today when he was shooting it I got nervous because he is stout and long arms, but wanted a short draw horse bow. ::)  thus the main reason for sinew as well as sturgeon.  He fired some nice shots and was grinning from ear to ear.  We have some fishing trips planned soon. ;D

 Gabe, yes they are side wedge cuts near the base. tends to be a little more character texture near the bases.

Thanks agian everyone.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Traxx on December 14, 2010, 11:41:41 pm
Sharp lookin bow ya made there Keenan.
Horseshoers are a buncha Weenies!!!!!
HEHEHE.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: straightarrow on December 15, 2010, 12:34:17 am
All I can say is ...."you da man!!!!" That bow is a absolute work of art. Incredible craftsmanship from tip to tip.

Jon (straightarrow)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: loefflerchuck on December 15, 2010, 03:03:20 am
Good lord that's beautiful! Thanks for posting that. Working on a fishing boat in the pacific part time I have collected pounds of fish skins. I am going to study your skin to wood fades to see if I can try to come close to that. One of the best bows I have seen in a while
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Little John on December 15, 2010, 05:24:28 am
Keenan, I wonder if your juniper is the same stuff that grows all over the desert south west? I really like the leather work on the handle.       Kenneth
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Ryano on December 15, 2010, 10:30:06 am
Very Cool bow Keenan. I'm sure he was pleased.  :)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Stoker on December 15, 2010, 10:51:32 am
Truly one of the nicest bows. The sturgeon skin is awesome with the barbs.We can't keep our sturgeon catch and release only.
A work of art.
Thanks Leroy
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 15, 2010, 06:22:04 pm
Thanks again for the compliments.

Loeffler, What kind of skins do you have?

Kenneth, Thank you,  You should have several types of Juniper, The one to stay away from has slash marks in the bark that will go horizontal to the tree truck and through the bark. Those kind are junk , most the others will work but I've found the darker colored the heart wood the better it seems to be. The juniper with very pale color has been ok but not as good.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: hedgeapple on December 15, 2010, 08:41:18 pm
Keenan, that is probably the most beautiful bow I've ever seen.  Just WOW!  I think you may have to keep reminding your friend that it's a tool for him to hunt with. Make sure you give him a condition with this bow that we all want to see picture of the elk he takes with it.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Gordon on December 16, 2010, 02:58:09 am
Well Keenan you managed to raise the bar another notch and I gave up trying to keep up about 3 bows ago. You're in a class all by yourself my friend.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: swamp monkey on December 16, 2010, 05:03:42 pm
inspiring!
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: snag on December 16, 2010, 05:39:38 pm
Keenan, are you using juniper limb wood or is this from the trunk?  That fish skin is incredible!
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 16, 2010, 11:33:03 pm
Hedge thank you, I'm sure he get some pics ;)

Gordon, Thank you my friend,  But you know you always been one of my favorite inspirations and I've still got allot to learn. That's what is so good about this site is everyone learning from each other. And you have certainly taught me a thing or two. ;) PS. Lulyn read your post and laughed, stating "Your in a class alright, but not the one he thinks",,,,, ::)

Swamp, thank you

Snag. Yes this was from a branch,  Top side, bottom limb of the bow was the part towards the trunk. About a 6 inch branch.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: ohma on December 17, 2010, 09:16:25 am
definitly got WOW factor going on there.
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 18, 2010, 12:07:11 pm
Thank you. Ohma
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: juniper junkie on December 18, 2010, 01:36:31 pm
very well done Keenan. how did your farrier like it? I like the draw pic....hope you find your arrow :D
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 18, 2010, 09:47:57 pm
  Thanks Dave,  He was more then surprised. ;D  Talked to him today and he's still jazzed about it.  He took some shots while he was here and did real good. His long arms made me nervous, but he's doing good on the short horse draw.  I told him I want every sturgeon skin he gets as well as a few trips with a bud out on the river. ;)
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Blacktail on December 18, 2010, 10:06:02 pm
WOW.keenan, i have to say that your hands really walk with the lord...that is just a WONDERFUL stick...SO,how many coures of sinew is on it AND does it bend threw the handle...thanks so much for sharing and i hope your freind gets a critter with it...john
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Jesse on December 18, 2010, 10:40:58 pm
How did I miss this.      Outstanding work.!!!!!!!!!!!!!     Just beautiful :o
Title: Re: Sinew/Sturgeon Juniper
Post by: Keenan on December 19, 2010, 09:54:54 pm
Thank you John, It has one medium coarse of sinew then the skins. Just a very slight flex in the handle.

Thank you Jesse