Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: MWirwicki on July 10, 2011, 12:34:08 pm

Title: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: MWirwicki on July 10, 2011, 12:34:08 pm
Had a short stave laying on the pile, which I originally roughed out for a kids bow.  It had a diagonal hole starting from the back exiting through the side of the stave from a wood borer.  I drilled and plugged it with a piece of ramin wood arrow shaft mostly as an experiment to see if I could salvage the piece. 

I'd never made a Holmegaard design bow and since I prefer bows on the shorter side, I thought it would be a challenge to shrink it somewhat and layout a 48" version.  During the floor tiller stage, the plug started giving way.  With the failure, I was close to running the stave through the band saw but, not wanting to give up on this piece I wrapped the limb section with back sinew and set it down for a couple of weeks.  Back at it, the bow survived the floor tiller stage and made it to brace height.  I swept the tips back a bit and applied 2 layers of whitetail sinew to the back of the bow to have a better chance for reaching my normal draw length.

My decision to salvage the bow paid off.  The little Holmie ended up drawing 45# at 25 inches.  (1-inch short of my normal draw length but, I feared drawing any farther might slip the string from the pin nocks).  I decorated it with a nice set of Prairie Rattler snake skins and a simple leather grip.  Full draw pics are with a 25" arrow.  Hmmm, it almost looks like I might be able to get another inch out of it!

Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: PandaMan on July 10, 2011, 12:40:06 pm
That's awesome! I like the look of the backing... I hope I can make bows like that some day...
Well done  ;)

PandaMan :)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: half eye on July 10, 2011, 01:36:00 pm
Hey Matt,
      That is an extremely nice Holmegaard ya got there, if it shoots at all yer gonna like the performance, for sure. Really well done.
rich
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Cameroo on July 10, 2011, 01:41:40 pm
That's a great looking bow, well done!  The string angle is pretty extreme at full draw - looks like you're pushing her to the max :)  I wonder how a short holmie like that would perform with a bit of reflex bent into the static levers?
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Pat B on July 10, 2011, 01:46:47 pm
Excellent little bow!  8)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: MWirwicki on July 10, 2011, 01:55:04 pm
Thanks for the kind words Panda Man & Cameroo.  The tips do have a gentle back sweep.  It really zings an arrow.  I'm so happy with its performance that I've made a twin that is ready for sinew.  This time a bit sharper reflex in the tips and no worm holes!

Half-Eye:  I've seen the bows you've displayed on this PA site.  I especially appreciate your compliments.
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: blackhawk on July 10, 2011, 02:07:26 pm
That's one wicked little bend there Matt. That bow screams hunt with me. And you did an excellent job on the finish.  ;)  I want one :laugh:
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Buckeye Guy on July 10, 2011, 06:05:55 pm
Good job Matt !!
Are you going to GLLI ? If so see ya there !!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Hrothgar on July 10, 2011, 07:51:20 pm
Very nice bow!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: JBL on July 10, 2011, 08:47:12 pm
Great work!!!!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: peshikthe on July 10, 2011, 09:16:19 pm
nice holmegaard sure bends nice, i thought my molle at 57 inches was on the short side but you sure made a nice short bow.
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: ken75 on July 10, 2011, 10:45:19 pm
Hoss that is damn nice !! im a sucker for shorties and that fits the bill . go point it at a deer please !!!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: RyanY on July 10, 2011, 10:47:32 pm
That full draw shape is outstanding. Really put the materials to the test. Beautiful bow. :)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on July 11, 2011, 12:30:33 am
Very nice....short and sweet just how it should be.   :)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: jpitts on July 11, 2011, 01:01:47 am
Beautiful little bow. I've gotta try a Holmie one day.
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: MWirwicki on July 11, 2011, 01:20:08 am
JPitts, BeetleBailey, Ryoon, Ken, Pesh, JBL, Hrothgar:  Thank you for your kind words.  Ken, I will definately point it at a deer this fall.  Can't wait to use it.

Chris:  Thanks!  Have you worked any on that osage?  Probably got your hands full with all that yew wood!

Buckeye Guy:  Unfortunately, I cannot make it to GLLI.  I have to work that weekend.  The "little woman" says, "Hello" though. 
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: blackhawk on July 11, 2011, 08:58:24 am
Not yet Matt. I did have my hands full for three days in a row with all that wood. And yesterday my hands were full of sinew n glue backing that Osage n red cedar finally.  Now that those are curing I think im gonna start work on one of the staves next. You get a chance yet to fill your mancave with ERC aroma yet?
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Pappy on July 11, 2011, 09:39:50 am
Beautiful bow,that is sweet. :) :) Nice save. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Lombard on July 11, 2011, 10:17:45 am
Nice work. The tiller looks great.
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: MWirwicki on July 11, 2011, 05:26:06 pm
Thank you, Pappy!
Thank you, Lombard!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Lee Slikkers on July 11, 2011, 07:33:15 pm
Excellent job!  I was lucky enough to see this stave in mid build and to see it now blows my mind!  Talent, sheer talent!  Thanks for sharing~
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Almostpighunter on July 12, 2011, 02:14:35 am
THAT is awesome! Great job!!!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Gordon on July 12, 2011, 03:40:28 am
I don't normally favor that style of bow, but I have to say that yours turned out splendidly.
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: juan lopez on July 12, 2011, 03:46:41 am
excellent work, and tillering splendid, congratulations great bow
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: LEGIONNAIRE on July 12, 2011, 04:05:26 am
your bow is killer, very cool short bow :)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: james parker on July 12, 2011, 11:01:11 am
great job,, the tiller looks really good,, you have that bow stretched out to the max at full draw
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: Will H on July 12, 2011, 12:21:26 pm
Awesome little bow! Really like the style! Good job man!!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: MWirwicki on July 13, 2011, 01:52:54 am
Lee: See you at Elm Hall!
APH, Gordon, Juan, Cesar, & Will:  Thank you for the nice compliments.  I've seen some real nice bows turn out of your shops, as well. 
Robustus: I think you're right.  Taking another look, my string angle looks to be at 89 degrees.  Another inch would likely be the death of it.   

Thanks again, guys!
Title: Re: 48" Holmegaard - Sinew backed osage
Post by: burn em up chuck on July 14, 2011, 07:26:20 pm
very very nice!