Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Del the cat on July 13, 2012, 06:16:44 am

Title: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Del the cat on July 13, 2012, 06:16:44 am
There has been a lot of chat about highly reflexed staves. This bow is from such a log, 4.5" reflex with a nasty kink of deflex and character wiggle in one limb.
My previous attempt with Hornbeam had smashed due to excessive heat straightening (the stave was a total pig) so I didn't want to heat treat it.
This one was roughed out with an axe as my bandsaw had just snapped my last blade (which was a bit blunt for hornbeam anyhow)
Like some of you guys had said tillering the big reflex was problematic, and I got the compulsory whack on the knuckles when it flipped.
All the reflex pulled out during the first tillering and the bow looked ugly as sin looking real square at full draw (almost like two hinged limbs). I heat treated it, took out some of the deflex kink and retillered it.
It takes a tiny bit of follow but recovers to a hint of reflex.
62" ntn. Max limb width 1.75" tapering to as thin as I dare ;D.
Tip overlays are hornbeam... I liked the contrast ;) ;D
Note:- Just noticed , the shot named HB Belly is of course the back :-[
Here are some pics from start to finish.
Including one of my Quality Control inspector examining the deflex kink ;D
Del
(PS the full draw shot is taken from video on my blog.
http://www.bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/hornbeam-looking-better.html (http://www.bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/hornbeam-looking-better.html)
(It shows it being drawn on the tiller before the final tweaking too, looking a bit wonky...One of my final tweaks was to fill a knot on the deflex kink which I had excavated and left as a feature, I think filling it helped to stiffen that area a tad)
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: jim mason on July 13, 2012, 06:28:44 am
nice bow mate/ the cat has good taste.
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: arklowrebel on July 13, 2012, 06:36:10 am
How you managed to make a bow out of that I will never know!  Wow!  Well done!   :)
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: half eye on July 13, 2012, 06:45:17 am
Damn thats nice, is there anything that you CANT make a bow out of? ::) Well done Mr. cat.
rich
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Del the cat on July 13, 2012, 06:45:58 am
Cheers guys, here's another pic which shows the wiggle nicely.
Del
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Pappy on July 13, 2012, 06:55:07 am
Got to love that,beautiful bend on a challenging piece of wood. :) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Jodocus on July 13, 2012, 09:18:04 am
Cool! That one became more handsome than I expected! Cheers for this one!

I hereby declare you my hero of the day.  :laugh:

Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: lesken2011 on July 13, 2012, 10:19:21 am
Nice job, Del. It gives me some hope for some Live Oak limbs I have to prune, soon!!
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: JonW on July 13, 2012, 10:24:53 am
Wonderfull bow Del. You showed that piece of wood who the boss is (and it wasn't Mrs. Del this time) ;)
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: coaster500 on July 13, 2012, 10:45:23 am
Very cool Del....   do you look for the tough ones :)

Great tiller on a tough stave!!!
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: druid on July 13, 2012, 11:59:55 am
Good bow Del! I recently finished the same problematic stave: with one deflex spot. is there anything more anoying tham deflex kink in good stave... ::)
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: ErictheViking on July 13, 2012, 12:41:13 pm
Way to tame that beasty Del. got it behaving nicely.
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: gstoneberg on July 13, 2012, 01:46:38 pm
Nice bow Del, I'm not sure I would have tackled that one.

...is there anything more anoying tham deflex kink in good stave... ::)

I could not agree more!!!

George
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: rossfactor on July 13, 2012, 01:55:18 pm
Really cool bow.  I'd love to know how it shoots?

Gabe
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Del the cat on July 13, 2012, 03:36:41 pm
Really cool bow.  I'd love to know how it shoots?

Gabe
Shoots pretty sweet now I've tweaked the arrow pass to suit my arrows, I'll give it a good go field shooting at the weekend. Only tried it at 10 yards so far.
Del
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Arrowind on July 13, 2012, 03:50:21 pm
I just have to smile.  I'm amazed at ho you did that!    ??? :o  ;D
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Steve Milbocker on July 13, 2012, 04:04:33 pm
Nice bend Del, a beautiful bow!
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Stringman on July 13, 2012, 04:18:02 pm
Love that last shot! Thats one quirky piece of wood! Way to pull it off!!
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: criveraville on July 14, 2012, 12:04:12 am
That's a beautiful bow and a great accomplishment  :o

Cipriano
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Judo Point on July 14, 2012, 02:19:55 am
Very nice Del!! Beautiful bends both the natural ones and the one you put in it. Nice job!!!
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: dwardo on July 15, 2012, 04:59:58 pm
You sure can pick em Del. Thats a great job on an evil looking bit of wood!

Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: H Rhodes on July 15, 2012, 06:53:02 pm
Wow! i would have been scared off by that one.  You sure made a fine bow out of it.  We have a lot of hornbeam growing in the river bottoms here, but none of it strait enough for a newbie like me to attempt.  It is some really tough stuff - will make a chain saw spark every now and then...  I bet that bow will last a long time.
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: criveraville on July 15, 2012, 10:06:24 pm
That's a sweet looking bow. Looks like your cat approves too  ;)

Cipriano
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Badly Bent on July 16, 2012, 12:13:27 am
Have to agree with everyone else, that looked like a tough piece of wood to tame and from the sound of your description it was. Nice job the bend looks real smooth and I bet it is a pleasure to shoot, I like it Del.

Greg
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: bubby on July 16, 2012, 02:59:02 am
i haven't seen one of your bows that wouldn't be the jewel in anyone's bow rack, you never disappoint, Bub
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: criveraville on July 16, 2012, 03:12:56 am
i haven't seen one of your bows that wouldn't be the jewel in anyone's bow rack, you never disappoint, Bub

Ya... What he said :)

Cipriano
Title: Re: First Hornbeam (Reflexed Log)
Post by: Del the cat on July 16, 2012, 04:27:33 am
Cheers guys, I took it up the club to give it a work out, but didn't shoot it very well. It was a bit too light poundage for me, I like some resistance to work with, I let one of the ladies shoot it and she loved it :-*, did better than she did with her ELB.
It's funny how bows can look different with other people shooting them, the lower limb looked to be bending real hard for her, but it seemed ok when I gave it a look over. It's prob not one I'll shoot much, but as it's my only hornbeam it will look look on the rack for now.
Del