Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: snag on May 19, 2013, 12:50:07 pm
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Our traditional archery club was fortune to have John come over from the coast to spend 2 days with us. I had a rather challenging, and marginal, piece of yew that I thought would be fun to try and make a bow out of. It had many woodpecker spots on it and through it. So I think I'll call it "Woody". It came out to 58#@27", 66" ntn. I was hoping for 55-60 lbs...got lucky. Still have a lot of sanding, more shaping of tips, put leather wrap on handle and put a finish on it. I've shot it about 40 times. Marginal string follow so far.
Sure was a fun couple of days. Love the way John teaches and goes about making a bow. Kind of reminds me of how a bush pilot that never went to any fancy flying school...just learned it by doing it. And like this pilot there was times, as a passenger, that I felt a little afraid of the result! haha One thing that needed to be addressed in this stave was a rather large decayed knot. Some yew sawdust had to be mixed with glue to fill the void.
This bow really throws an arrow. After it is done and I have spent time with it it may become my hunting bow this year. It really likes 60# douglas fir arrows. The string passes almost center of handle. I thought it would like 50/55#'s...but 55/60#'s are going to be more to it's liking.
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It has a little string follow.
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I'll post a picture later today of the bow being drawn. The above picture looks like the lower limb is weaker...but it is not. It has 1/4" positive tiller and is so quiet.
One of our members, Nick, was generous to allow us to invade his large garage for this sawdust-fest. Another member, Ron, made strings for the bows and we then served them.
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Using some of John's tools I can see I will just have to make a couple of purchases. I really like the spoke shave and rasp he had purchased from Dean Torges.
This is Nick's son, Jonathan, who is taking off some bark from a vine maple stave he was working.
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Well no wonder he wasnt home yesterday!
Looks like a good time.
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Awesome! The time I spent working with Mr. Strunk was priceless. Are you guys the Black Rose Archers?
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Weylin, we are the Eugene group...TAB....The Adventurous Bowmen. It seemed rather adventurous at times with that piece of yew! haha
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Cool...those are always fun times....and a little bit of follow ain't gonna hurt a thing in a yew bow..it still should have good cast because its yew ;)
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You call that string follow!!???? Trust me bud that's nothing to be concerned about.
That's a fine bow. Keep it up.
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very very cool, I spent 2 days at Johns house at one of his classes and it wasn't enough time. get as much time as you can w/him as you can,he is good people.
everyone is right, that bow is just fine
chuck
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Nice yew bow and what an experience having one of our masters teaching you the ropes. 8)
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Beautiful bow. I spent time with John last month; best two days bow building in ages. A real master!
Will you be bringing that bow to the Stick and Sage? Hope to see you there.
Dave
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I plan on being at the Stick and Sage also. I'll be driving a white Chevy with a canopy decal that says "Wilderness Custom Arrows" on the back window...stop by.
Yep, John is one of the good ones. If I lived near him he'd get tired of seeing my face! ;D
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looks real nice Dave, look forward to seeing all of you at the stick and sage/. bowyers gathering.
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Sounds like a good weekend,love to meet him someday,heard a lot of good things about him,Bow building and as a person. :)
Pappy