Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Silent Bear on January 09, 2011, 10:25:57 pm

Title: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 09, 2011, 10:25:57 pm
Hi there thought I would share with you guys a bow that I have been working on I finally was able to tiller it close to final shape today.

The bow is made from pacific yew 35 inches long 34 inches from both nocks backed with 4 layers of sinew 50 pounds at 22 inch draw picture was taken after putting about 50 shots through her thanks for looking.

Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: toomanyknots on January 09, 2011, 11:11:57 pm
Man, thats a little bow. Very nice job. Hows it shoot? I would guess from the small size reducing mass dramatcally and reflex that it would shoot very fast. You gonna paint it or leave it bare?
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: bcbull on January 09, 2011, 11:22:51 pm
silant bear  thats a real nice one  whats the draw legth on it  ?  so do you tiller 2/3 then sinew or  whats the method you us  for ur sinew backed bow  man i wish you d  do a bulid along on these shorties  brock
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 09, 2011, 11:31:23 pm
toomanyknots- the bow shoots great I added extra reflex to pick up the performance I shot it against a 44 inch bow I had that is the same dimensions as one of Ishis bows and I was getting identical distances. The bow when finished tillering will be painted with my tribal patterns and have a buckskin grip.

bcbull- the bow has a drawlength of 22 inches and is currently at 52 pounds I still need to take a couple scrapes of the bottom limb on the right and tiller will be done and come out to about 50 pounds. The bow is strung backwards and left to dry 2-3 days for each layer after 4 layers the bow was tillered today.
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on January 10, 2011, 12:03:39 am
What kind of cast does that bow produce?
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 10, 2011, 12:34:21 am
I never have measured the exact distances but I would guess around 200 yards
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: bucksbuoy on January 10, 2011, 01:47:00 am
again.. love that style of bow. wish I could get my hands on some pacific yew.
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Keenan on January 10, 2011, 11:58:38 am
Awesome  work Silent Bear, Can't wait to see her all painted up and at full draw. I love the short bows and your work on those Pit River bows is exceptional!   
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: JackCrafty on January 10, 2011, 12:21:33 pm
Very Nice!  8)
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Hrothgar on January 10, 2011, 12:34:26 pm
Nice work. Compact and powerful...really admire those Pacific coast bows!
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: toomanyknots on January 10, 2011, 01:26:57 pm
The reflex just looks so nice!
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 10, 2011, 07:56:40 pm
thanks for all the nice comments guys, this bow might be a contender for hunting season this year
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Barrage on January 10, 2011, 09:36:16 pm
Love seeing all your short sinewed bows.  Nice work on this one.  Looking forward to the full draw.
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 11, 2011, 10:12:59 pm
Here is the finished bow painted with my tribal pattern, full reflex of the bow after resting will post some full draw pics after the weather clears up. Thanks for looking

Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Elktracker on January 12, 2011, 01:10:06 am
Paint and grip look great! How many of these guys do u have now lol Hope to start progressing on mine soon thanks again for info and help so far. Josh
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: YosemiteBen on January 12, 2011, 03:41:41 pm
Ha sausa ka Silent Bear -
I am Mountain Maidu from Greenville, CA. I have been working in Yosemite National Park for 16 years now. I am currently an Indian Cultural Demonsrator working in the Indian Museum.  I would like to talk to you more about the process of making your bow.  That is one thing I need to work on, I usually knap, play music (a variety of flutes), make cordage and play string games(cat's cradle and others).  Making a bow is not only of personal interest, but is part of my position description. Would be great to hear from you.
Ben
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: swamp yeti on January 12, 2011, 04:37:31 pm
                 That is one nice looking bow.
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 12, 2011, 08:37:36 pm
glad I could help you on getting started Josh

Ben- glad to hear you are passing down the traditions, feel free to pm me on any questions

Here is a partial draw picture at 16 inches I have a hard time stressing the bow while a snap a picture this is as far as I am willing to bring it the full draw is 22 inches the tiller may look funny because of the twisted limbs but I can assure you the bow is in complete balance

Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: tattoo dave on January 12, 2011, 10:29:17 pm
Beautiful work Silent Bear!!! I have a question for you, have you ever backed any bows with flax?, and if so how does it compare to sinew? Thanks for sharing, and again that is a great looking bow!

Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Silent Bear on January 13, 2011, 09:24:26 pm
thanks dave never have tried flax before but the only material that I know of that comes close to sinew is fiberglass
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: Josh on January 17, 2011, 05:20:20 pm
I love short bows!  This one is a dandy!   :) Tiller looks perfect on it.  Got it bookmarked for January Self BOM contest too.  :)
Title: Re: 35 inch Pitt River Atsugewi Shortbow
Post by: 1776J on January 20, 2011, 12:24:09 pm
Silent Bear,...
outstanding work!

Thank you for sharing this with all of us, it is so interesting to see this.