Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Keenan on January 24, 2011, 01:02:47 pm

Title: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 24, 2011, 01:02:47 pm
This little bow really surprised me, I am more then impressed with the Mountain Mahogany. The sapwood is creamy white with a nice chocolate heart wood. I tested some of the sapwood by preparing a limb size piece and purposely violated multiple rings in one spot on the back. When I did the bend test, I bent the limb in a near 90 degrees before it failed and it didn't fail where it was violated.  The heart wood test was much more brittle and lets lose sooner.
 I had originally wanted to use much of the heart wood but after testing decided to stay with the natural back  in hopes of having some heart wood still in it. The only heart wood ended up in the handle but I am convinced that the sapwood is really the way to go with this wood. The original stave was extremely dense and felt heavier then an Osage stave of the same size.
 Here she is. 47.5 " NTN and 64# at 24 inches.  Lincod skins with bull snake skin overlay. The tips are zebra wood.

You all might notice the title change  ;D  I wasn't going to let the cat out of the bag but, ::) ::) Some will remember a little while back I got a surprise package from John. then a little later he was wanting to make a short turkey bow,well  ;D

(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4354.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4338.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4355.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4333.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4357.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/IMG_4386.jpg)
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Elktracker on January 24, 2011, 01:31:27 pm
WOW that is amazeing I love the backing! :o
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: sharpend60 on January 24, 2011, 01:52:01 pm
Great work.

I've heard mountain mahogany is very dense, as you suggested but grows very twisted and knotted up.
Where did you come by such a stave and did it require lots of heat?
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Pat B on January 24, 2011, 02:16:24 pm
Very cool bow as always Keenan. Love the looks of the skins and the contrasting belly wood. Very nice Bow!!!
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: jonathan creason on January 24, 2011, 02:21:20 pm
That is one beautiful bow, Keenan.
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Autumnbear on January 24, 2011, 02:25:32 pm
That is awesome, the backing looks so clean. Nice one Keenan
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Cameroo on January 24, 2011, 02:27:58 pm
Another beauty.  Good job!
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: ohma on January 24, 2011, 02:47:35 pm
great looking bow and the wrap is outstanding.
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: dragonman on January 24, 2011, 02:59:49 pm
Good work, beautifull bow... short with no set, amazing.....what kind of tree is mountain mahogany???
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Stoker on January 24, 2011, 03:27:53 pm
very nice..Great looking bow
Thanks Leroy
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: kerryb on January 24, 2011, 04:33:40 pm
Beautiful craftsmanship Keenan, another beauty
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: rossfactor on January 24, 2011, 04:42:26 pm
I been thinking about using Lings for a while now.  Tough stuff.  But man they taste good. Hard to find a nice straight piece of Mountain Mahogany.  I've looked before.
 Great Stuff
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: medicinewheel on January 24, 2011, 05:08:05 pm
Absolutly gorgeous bow!!!
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: swamp yeti on January 24, 2011, 05:20:28 pm
That is one killer bow.
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Jesse on January 24, 2011, 06:36:55 pm
Another impressive bow Keenan. Great work.   Why so long though? You could get that down to 40" ntn I think ;D
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Hrothgar on January 24, 2011, 07:05:53 pm
Thats an incredibly beautiful bow! Nice job.
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: bluegill68 on January 24, 2011, 07:23:14 pm
Keenan,

Just lovely! I am curious why the bulklsnake overlay? Did the cod wash out in color/pattern? I have often thought they would be a great addition to a stick.

Sean
Title: Re: Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 24, 2011, 07:51:22 pm
Thanks guys.
 Sean, Yes the lingcod is beautiful when fresh skinned but loses the colors when dried. More of a blotchy brown. i had always thought about doing an overlay and wasn't real impressed with the looks of the lingcod by alone. Loved how it turned out and will do it again.

 Jesse, I'm working towards a war bow for us short people.  ;D

Ross, yes they do taste great, and yes it's near impossible to find a straight piece and drying without cracks is even harder.

Dragon, I'll try to get you some pics sometime.

 You all might notice the title change  ;D  I wasn't going to let the cat out of the bag but, ::) ::) Some will remember a little while back I got a surprize package from John. then a little later he was wanting to make a short turkey bow,well  ;D

Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Gordon on January 24, 2011, 08:30:59 pm
I can't believe how little set you got with that design - I sure would like to see a pic of you cranking that bow back  :o
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Blacktail on January 24, 2011, 09:56:54 pm
OHHH MY WORD..ARE YOU SERIOUS...NO WAY...I don't even know what to say...that stick is gorgeous...when can i shoot it and give you a BIG KISS :-* :-* :-*....I knew you had a big heart BUT WOW...YOU,have to show me some of this mountain mahogany some time...that is some great work BROTHER...THANK YOU SO MUCH...john
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: tattoo dave on January 24, 2011, 10:04:54 pm
That's a beauty!!! Is there another name for mountain mahogany? I have access to lots of mahogany, but not sure what type it is... never seen mahogany that color before. Anyway, awesome job!!!
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 24, 2011, 10:41:52 pm
 ;D ;D ;D Glad you like it John, One good turn deserves another,  I had a hard time not saying anything on your turkey bow thread  ::) >:D  When you going to get over this way?

 Gordon, Thank you, we'll see, may leave that up to John. Could have got a little more draw, if I made it bend through the handle but the handle was very narrow and I was a little nervous to have it bend. ::)

Tattoo; Not sure the tech name but I'll try to get some info for you.
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: mullet on January 24, 2011, 10:54:17 pm
 Keenan, that is one pretty bow. That is going to be one hefty pulling, booger, for turkeys. I'd make it do double duty for Elk also.
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 24, 2011, 10:57:26 pm
 Eddie, Thank you, Thats what I had in mind.  I know he wants to,,,,,,,,  just needs to get brave enough >:D

Also should blast right through a turkey even if he only gets to half draw. ;D
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: loefflerchuck on January 25, 2011, 12:21:25 am
Wow! Work of art! Got some ling skins in my freezer.
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: ken75 on January 25, 2011, 12:27:41 am
great bow and nice gesture !! awesome finish work as always !!
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: straightarrow on January 25, 2011, 12:30:54 am
Another awesome bow!!!...from a awesome bowyer!!!

Jon
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Barrage on January 25, 2011, 01:14:40 am
Very nice Keenan, and lucky you Blacktail!
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Pappy on January 25, 2011, 06:05:07 am
Beautiful bow,that is sweet.
   Pappy :)
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Steve Milbocker on January 25, 2011, 09:50:06 am
Outstanding!!
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Parnell on January 25, 2011, 10:36:53 am
Wow Keenan, that is a beautiful bow.  I really like the stats for it, also.  Very impressive and I really love seeing an alternative wood.  Tremendous!
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: aaron on January 25, 2011, 12:24:29 pm
AWESOME bow!
Mt Mahoghany (cercocarpus ) is a small tree/ bush that grows at higher elevations out west. The largest ones I have seen are about 8 inches in dia. I have seen it in eastern oregon, and all the way down to SW utah. I've made tool handles , foreshafts, and a boomerang out of it. Incredibly hard- s.g. is about  .90 . hard to find a big enough piece for a bow- i searched a grove near glass butte for hours and came up with a piece about 45 inches long with knots all over. never seen it in WA.
keenan where did you get the stave?
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 25, 2011, 12:48:01 pm
Arron, Good for you, that is the info allot have asked about and you nailed it. Very hard very dense and the description is pin point.  I found this on on a friends ranch out between Post and Paulina.  It was an 8 inch tree that had some bends in it but were manageable.  I have a few other pieces with knots and one that is clear but very narrow. I will try to get another bow or two if possible.
  I kept scraping and scraping to get the poundage down and was blown away by how thin I had to go,  The limbs are just a over 1/2" thick at the fades, and just over 3/8" thick at mid limb.
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Del the cat on January 25, 2011, 06:40:49 pm
Hey dude, you could have waited until February before posting  >:(
Del ;)
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 25, 2011, 07:40:32 pm
Del, I haven't posted a full draw. ;D  and who says you wouldn't win even if I did.  ;)
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Blacktail on January 25, 2011, 08:46:35 pm
keenan it should be 2 weeks...i will have to make some time to come over so you can help me with a ruffed out peice of yew...john
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Keenan on January 26, 2011, 12:08:39 pm
John just give me a call and touch base. I might try to get Lulyn out of the house and take her over to the coast for a few days but not sure if this week or next. or when so just make sure we are hear.  Also what town are you in? maybe we will come that way befor you head over. Do you still have my number?
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: Blacktail on January 26, 2011, 10:50:35 pm
it looks like the end of next week...i am out in the back woods between shady cove and white city...you guys just go a have fun...i will get ahold of you when we get moved in..BLESSINGS.john
Title: Re: Blacktail's Lingcod/Mountain Mahogany
Post by: juniper junkie on February 03, 2011, 10:35:59 am
very nice bow Keenan, still waiting for the full draw pics. John, you must just be living right. now to go bag a turkey with it.