Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: RyanR on January 19, 2014, 04:41:38 pm

Title: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: RyanR on January 19, 2014, 04:41:38 pm
I finished this a couple days ago.  I wouldnt mind trying to make one a little shorter and wider with a little more draw weight.  Sassafras cuts like butter with a good rasp so you have to be very careful.  This one is for the wife and she is left handed so I wont get to shoot it.  I did shoot it some after it was tillered and it shot nice for a 31# bow. I backed it with rawhide because I read sassafras is not good under tention.  I think at this lenght it may have been ok without it.

Rawhide Backed Sassafras
31# @ 27"
72" ttt
1-3/8 at fades
rosewood overlays
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: dane lund on January 19, 2014, 04:58:10 pm
Really nice tiller at full draw!,!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: VicNova on January 19, 2014, 05:06:44 pm
Looks great!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 19, 2014, 05:16:33 pm
Very nice bow, good job I like it  :)
DBar
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 19, 2014, 05:23:57 pm
Good job Ryan.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: bubby on January 19, 2014, 05:39:09 pm
you've been busy, another good one
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: JonW on January 19, 2014, 06:52:12 pm
Nice bow Ryan. I have made three Sassafras bows now and haven't backed any of them. I did chase a ring on all of them though. Make yourself one and I think you will be convinced. Good tiller btw.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: mwosborn on January 19, 2014, 07:59:01 pm
That one looks nice too!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: IdahoMatt on January 19, 2014, 10:01:36 pm
Yet another nice one.  Keep it up
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: Arrowind on January 19, 2014, 10:02:49 pm
Looks Great!  Good job!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: Pat B on January 19, 2014, 11:20:48 pm
Some of my first bows were sassafras and none looked as good as this bow. Well done.  Sassafras smells good too when worked.  ;)
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: ohma2 on January 20, 2014, 10:12:01 am
good lookin bow great tiller.is the wood soft like say cedars?
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 20, 2014, 10:37:39 am
No. Its crunchy and brittle, very porous as well. Growth rings almost "fall" off as you chase them.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: RyanR on January 20, 2014, 05:18:01 pm
good lookin bow great tiller.is the wood soft like say cedars?
You literally do some of the final tiller with 60 grit sandpaper.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: owlbait on January 20, 2014, 05:23:22 pm
Looks great Ryan. I can hook you up with another piece of sassafras! ;)
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: DavidV on January 20, 2014, 07:30:56 pm
Very nice! Sassafrass is still on my bucket list.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 20, 2014, 08:17:45 pm
Sweet looking bow!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: RyanR on January 20, 2014, 09:48:04 pm
Thanks a lot for all the compliments. I plan on working this wood again. We have tons of it where I live. My parents yard was full of it when I was a kid.
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: medicinewheel on January 21, 2014, 03:09:02 am
Tiller looks nice!
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: Pappy on January 21, 2014, 08:11:54 am
Very nice looking bow,she will enjoy that I am sure,bet it's light in physical weight
also and fast/smooth. :) and like Pat said smeels good to boot. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: Onebowonder on January 24, 2014, 04:51:07 pm
While I was out for a walk last weekend I saw a GIANT old Sassafras tree marked for being taken down in the park.  From what you guys are saying about this wood, ...perhaps I should find the park board's phone number and find out if they'd be inclined to donate the old tree to a local primitive arts studio, (AKA - my bow wood stock pile!)  This thing was HUGE!  I doubt as I could actually have wrapped my arms halfway around the trunk.  Probably more bow staves in that tree than I would likely ever get around to building...  hmmmmmm......  ;D ;D

OneBow
Title: Re: Rawhide Backed Sassafras
Post by: simson on January 25, 2014, 03:29:37 am
clean tiller on a nice bow!