Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: HickoryBill on April 02, 2011, 12:29:09 am

Title: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: HickoryBill on April 02, 2011, 12:29:09 am

As some of you guys already know I cut some Devils Walking stick last weekend. The tree( It's actually a shrub) was about 9 inches in diameter. I cut the tree and got a nice 6 foot "log" from it. I split the "log" into 3 staves. I removed the bark and then sealed the ends and the back. After the sealant had dried I placed the staves in a heat box set at about 85 degrees.
     They have been in there a week. My buddy told me they are down to about 20% moisture content. Tomorrow we are going to start roughing out a couple bows from the staves..
       I'm shooting for 45#@ 26. The dimensions will be 2.25 wide tapering to 1/2 tips. 68 tip to tip.
 I'm not sure if this wood will even make a bow, and as far as I know it has never even been attempted( there is probably a good reason for that)  , but none the less I'm gonna TRY!!!
 I will keep you guys posted as the project advances and add pics when I can.

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: criveraville on April 02, 2011, 12:52:14 am

Sounds like a great trial and error exercise.. Kinda like my ancestors..

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: HickoryBill on April 02, 2011, 12:55:08 am

criveraville :  Mine too( German and Lakota Sioux)

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: tattoo dave on April 02, 2011, 01:09:20 am

Looking forward to seeing the results Bill! Good luck.
Tattoo Dave

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: osage outlaw on April 02, 2011, 01:14:27 am

Post pictures as you go.

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: Elktracker on April 02, 2011, 02:47:52 am

Ill be watching good luck

Josh

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: wildkatt on April 02, 2011, 03:21:45 pm

 ;D I like trying something hew the challenge is to make it work


Katt

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: DarkSoul on April 02, 2011, 07:27:03 pm

Probably not many "Devils Walking stick" bows around! If you succeed, it'll be a unique piece.

Please remember the wood currently isn't dry. Don't bend it any more than floor tillering, for now. Then put it aside for additional drying so you can start tillering when it is completely dry.

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: HickoryBill on April 03, 2011, 12:48:09 am

Well I got one of the staves worked down to about an inch thick today. Its starting to resemble a bow. I got a few pics that I'll post later. I won't be working on it till next Saturday. I'm gonna remove a little wood each weekend till the wood is dried and seasoned.

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: criveraville on April 03, 2011, 04:16:11 am

Good roots there HickoryBill.

Title: Re: Something New( Maybe)
Post by: HickoryBill on April 03, 2011, 11:33:58 pm

Well here are a couple of the staves. The one on the right was a smaller diameter stave/ split and there for drying quicker. Ended up about 65 inches long, just over 2.5 inches wide, and about an inch thick for now.

(http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee451/HickoryBill/0402111310.jpg)