Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: cwbuchanan on April 23, 2012, 06:46:24 pm

Title: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 23, 2012, 06:46:24 pm
Hey everybody I haven’t posted anything in a while and wanted to share some pictures of my latest bow. It’s a black locust flat bow that I made for my father Eric Buchanan under the mentorship of straight arrow (Jon Houk). The BL I was working with was dense and had really tight rings, which was difficult to chase. The beginning profile had some natural deflex on the outer third of the top limb so decided to flip both tips. I did three heat treating sessions on the belly throughout the build. The tiller was a little stubborn Do to prop twist but I think it turned out pretty good in the end. I dressed the bow up with some rat snake skins which was a first for me. I also accented the shelf area with them. They weren’t long enough so I stained the tips black and made a separation with a floss wrap. The tips are bacote and the string is b50 Dacron I finished the bow off with 10 coats of true oil on the skins and 6 on the belly I really poured my heart and soul into making this bow special for my dad. The bow is 68” and finished out 47#’s @26” .  I named the bow “the owl” because its my dads Indian zodiac and because of its symbolism. Thanks for looking!

Colton Buchanan



Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 23, 2012, 06:48:17 pm
Heres a few more pics...... :laugh:
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Adam on April 23, 2012, 06:49:20 pm
Wow!  Great job! Those tips are amazing and the skins look perfect on that bow.  I'm sure your dad is really proud and will treasure it.
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: half eye on April 23, 2012, 07:11:17 pm
You have every right to be proud of that stick, sir. Got to believe that your dad may have to wipe an eye.
rich
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: rps3 on April 23, 2012, 07:59:55 pm
Lovely lines on that bow, your Dad is a lucky guy.
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: missilemaster on April 23, 2012, 08:37:55 pm
WOW, man that is a really sharp looking bow. Looks like an eye in that tip overlay!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: lesken2011 on April 23, 2012, 08:39:18 pm
Nice job, CW!! I know your dad must be proud!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: coaster500 on April 23, 2012, 08:40:18 pm
Very nicely done...  beautiful bow and some great looking country :)

Congrats!!!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: blackhawk on April 23, 2012, 08:53:52 pm
That turned out sweet Colton...bout time u finish that one up ;)....and nice to see another western pa boy representing 8).....hmmm? I wonder where that bocote came from for your tips,they look sweet 8)
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: HickoryBill on April 23, 2012, 09:22:46 pm
Man that one turned out sweet!Now you need to finish one for yourself so you can hunt with a "REAL" bow this year..Good job
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: soy on April 23, 2012, 09:38:32 pm
Finished it up quite nicely you did ;)
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 24, 2012, 12:36:33 am
thanks to all of you for the great compliments im very proud of this bow and so is my dad... i want to give a shout out to straightarrow i could of never done it with out him mentoring me he is truly a great friend!!! if you have any questions about the bow post them ill be sure to respond quickly. and once again thanks!!!
     
       CW Buchanan
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: tattoo dave on April 24, 2012, 12:43:08 am
That's a beauty!! Nice work, I love that bocote!

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on April 24, 2012, 02:16:54 am
Nice!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Pappy on April 24, 2012, 07:50:04 am
Beautiful bow,love the detail work,very nice. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: druid on April 24, 2012, 08:16:15 am
Very nice work. Is this skin longlasting under bad weather?
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: straightarrow on April 24, 2012, 09:59:24 am
You did a excellent job on that bow, Colton. I'm very proud to see how far you've came from your first. Not only did I gain a building partner, I too have gained a friend. It was awesome to see your dad's face when you gave it to him. I could instantly tell how proud he was. He knew you put your heart into it. Congratulations on a beautiful bow..... one thing I might add is it " shoots like a dream"...... that's what's most important! The rest is eye candy.

Jon
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 24, 2012, 02:01:54 pm
Proud.is only one of the words you can say to describe my son.no one could have a better son than this.the bow he made for me was wonderful.had no idea he was even making it.and when he was showing this to me and i read my name on it.that just took my breath away.he done a really nice job on this bow.looks great.Love you Colton.I want to thank my good friend jon h.he's the one that mentored colton and done a really good job. you are truly a good friend.love you buddy.Thank to everyone that commented on this post.your words mean allot.
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: PeteC on April 24, 2012, 02:23:54 pm
That's a very nice bow.Your dad ought to like it. Great job. God Bless
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Will H on April 24, 2012, 04:13:58 pm
Great work! The skins match the bow perfectly and the tiller looks spot on :) well done!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Buckeye Guy on April 24, 2012, 05:50:25 pm
That is sweet !
The only question I have is can I be your dad ?!!!
Good job !
Guy
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 24, 2012, 11:44:04 pm
As you could tell the last post under my name was my dad... Mentioning that I could ask for a better father he has always been here for me and everything I know I owe it to him!!! I really can't put into words how much he means to me. And thank you to all of you who have commented on it I wouldn't trade the art of bow building for anything it is an addiction a sickness and a cure for anything and I enjoy every minute of it and I also want to say thanks to jon h. (straightarrow) once again you are a great friend and I can't thank you enough for helping me make this bow possable for my dad...

And for the question that was asked about the durability of the snake skins... They have 10 coats of true oil over them so I would say they are as durable as the rest of the bow but I have yet to find out for sure but as u may know snake skins are not to add weight to the bow they are only for looks they have nothing to do with strength but as for durrability I would say they would hold there own... if anybody know anything diff feel free to post   
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Pat B on April 24, 2012, 11:58:26 pm
Beautiful bow, Colton. I dream of making a black locust bow like this...then I wake up to reality!  ;) You did an excellent job of tillering and she holds a beautiful unbraced profile. That says a lot about the builder.  8)
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 25, 2012, 01:09:40 am
thanks pat b at first i didnt know if the tiller would ever come around it was a tillering nightmare do to prop twist
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: straightarrow on April 26, 2012, 12:08:49 am
Tillering a prop twisted bow can be especially challenging. You did very well reading the bends. You got a good eye for it

Jon
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: hammertime on April 26, 2012, 12:28:14 am
Great lookin' bow,nice detail on tips and grip.Nice pics,I'd be proud of that one-Hammertime
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 26, 2012, 01:14:50 am
thanks straightarrow and hammertime it was challenging and i wasnt to sure if it would turn out but with a lil tender lovin care it came through
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Steve Milbocker on April 26, 2012, 10:39:04 am
Very pretty bow,great job.
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Sidewinder on April 26, 2012, 12:20:06 pm
Really pretty bow and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside as you and your dad express your love for one another. Great job all around.   Danny
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cougarbob on April 26, 2012, 09:51:41 pm
wow colton that is a awsome job you did on that bow love the grain on your tips just beautiful you really got a great bow there                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  cougar Bob
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 28, 2012, 12:01:16 am
Thanks guys I'm also very happy with it and I do love the grain in those tips too!!! Thanks for the great comments
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: Arrowind on April 28, 2012, 08:30:44 pm
Nice bow dude.  VERY nice!
Title: Re: Black Locust flatbow rat snake backed....finished pics
Post by: cwbuchanan on April 30, 2012, 10:33:48 am
Thanks arrowind!!!