Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: MWirwicki on January 13, 2014, 10:39:25 pm
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Starting in the late 1930's, Nels Grumley a bowyer for Bear Archery produced a static recurve. One of them was the "Deerslayer" model with long, static tips. About a year ago, I sawed up some osage into slats. A bow style that's always been on my bucket list to attempt, was this Deerslayer bow.
About a year ago, I sawed up some osage that I harvested the year prior into slats. A good friend wanted to build one in my shop which began the motivation for myself to build one. For the hickory backing, I cut one out of an exceptionally straight-grained lumber store board. First, I built a hard bending jig for the static tips. Then, I built a reflexed gluing form that hopefully would yield a straight standing bow, by the time it was all done. Life got in the way for my buddy so I decided to move forward with my own. I used every c-clamp I owned (about 50) gluing the pre-bent backing to the pre-bent osage slat. It wasn't easy figuring out the inside radius bend of the osage to the outside radius bend of the hickory then the distance between the statics, in getting it all to fit. Nevertheless, I glued it up and removed it from the form after a couple of days and set it aside. Well life got in the way for me, last year and there it sat.
A few weekends ago, I decided to do something for myself. I reached for the glue-up and began the floor tillering process. From there, I carved out the tips as it became time for a long string. While working on the long string, I thought of trapping the back as I recall seeing them that way. The tips were very challenging. I didn't have an original Grumley to look at, so I surfed the internet which provided different profiles of the bow and tip sections. There were no measurements to be found so, I had to rely also on my guts and memory of those I've seen to tell me when they were "right". Finally, It came time to put it on the wall at brace height. I sure was nervous reducing the weight, identifying the stiff spots and reaching 28-inches. I thought for certain that it was going to blow up. Ah, but it held together and I reached my target weight.
My father-in-law gave me some piano keys from an antique piano that he tore apart, hoping that I may be able to use the ivory some day. Some Grumley's had tip overlays, so I thought of the ivory. Ivory can be quite brittle when thin. I destroyed 6 keys to end up with 2 overlays. I also fashioned an arrow plate from another key which also cost me a few extra piano keys. For the grip, I recalled some of the older bows I've held, having a glued on leather wrap without stitching. So that's what I did although, I wish that I'd had some in burgundy or red.
Final stats: 52# at 28". The overall length is 66-inches; 64-inches tip-to 1/2 inch tip. It shoots a hard, seemingly fast arrow right where I'm looking. I'm really liking this bow. Enough said; maybe way too much. Here's some pics.
More here: http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,44563.0.html
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Cool bow Matt! I have the same bow on my list. Great work.
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Incredible bow Matt! Good to see you post one again. That ones a bit long for you though isn't it? ;D
Jon
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Everyone should make one. I have to re-build myself one after mine suffered a fatal accident.
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp78/pat_05/CIMG5133-1.jpg)
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Dang, there is another for my bucket list. Very nice, Matt. 8)
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Matt that is a sweet bow,I have some Burgundy leather if you want to switch it out let me know and I'll ship ya a pc, bub
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Great, classy bow! Very nice
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WOW - it looks a lot different than the last time I saw it ;). Nicely done My Friend, the tips look spot on. No Money Shot ?????????? Bob
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Great bow, nothing else to say! :)
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Looks like a Grumley to me, and a damned fine one too. You do beautiful work, sir.
rich
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Beautiful bow Matt,very nice work. :)
Pappy
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nice job Matt! glad to see you posting more work up
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That is awesome! I hope you bring that to the classic, I'd like to see that in person :) :o
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Drums: Thank you. Your statics were part of the motivation
Jon: Thank you and yes, I don't make many loooong bows. It was fun.
PatM: Thank you.
PatB: Thank you, Pat! It was a challenge.
Bubby: I'll take you up on that Burgundy offer!
Simson: Thank you, sir.
Bob: Thank you, brother.
Andrew: Thanks
Rich: Thanks Rich. A compliment from you is always nice.
Pappy: Thanks Mark. I'll bring it to the Classic.
Paul: Thanks! Hope all is well with you.
Will: I'll bring it. Thank you, sir.
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Awesome bow Mr. Matt, the length surprised me ;) but your top notch work didn't! Hope the family is well!
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I love grumleys. They look sweet. Nice bow man
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All your work payed off...Really nice, really nice...
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Just saw the two posts, Matt. It's beautiful. Very well done.
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Great job on that like those tips.l have a grumley and one I made, ill half to show them one of these days.
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That bow is beautiful Matt, you have a great eye for tiller. Workmanship is outstanding! Still on my bucket list.
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Classic , mighty sweet looking bow. workmanship really shines on that bow.
DBar
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Ohma: Yes, you must show us! Thank you.
Steve: Good to hear from you, Steve. Thank you for the kind words.
DBar: Thank you, Sir.
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Very nice bow!
Have been thinking of making one myself since i saw one the first time...
but i think i need to learn to walk before i start running :D
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Great job man. That thing looks like a screamer. Love the technical detail
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Great looking bow Matt! I hope to have some time this winter to stop by and start making another bow with you. Ed M from Tn
I spent a couple of days at the TN classic last year and Matt helped me with first bow. He's a great teacher and a craftsman. I'm now hooked on primitive archery and have met some of the best people on this planet! Just wish I had more time to hang out with pappy and the gang at twin oaks. Good people and a LOT of knowledge there!
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Nice work, very quality sir. How wide?
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Thats a cool bow!
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Perfect..... 8)
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Dbb - Thank you. I have no chrono but, it seems fast. Sometimes you can just tell.
IMatt - Thank you, Sir.
Ed - Good hearing from you. Thank you for the kind words.
Peacebow - It is just shy of 1-3/8" at its widest.
MDS65 - Thank you!
nclonghunter - Whew, thanks!