Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Weylin on May 23, 2014, 11:20:19 am

Title: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Weylin on May 23, 2014, 11:20:19 am
I named this bow "Compadre" to remind me of all the generosity and good will of the friends that surround me in this craft. And this bow itself is made up of many parts that came from these friends so I consider it aptly named. The yew billets were a gift from John "Blacktail". The deer rawhide backing was a gift from Carson at Echo Archery. I bought the take-down sleeves from Carson as well. The muskrat fur silencers were a gift from Bryce. Gordon patiently showed me his technique for fitting the sleeve inserts on a previous attempt at a take-down.  I'll bring that spirit into the woods with me when I hunt the mighty Roosevelt elk this fall.

This bow is made from two pacific yew billets. It is 64" long ntn and 58#@26". It's joined with a small set of take-down sleeves from Echo Archery. I didn't like the tube-like feel of the handle with the sleeves so I glued some cork to the steel and contoured it to give me the bulbous feel that I'm accustomed to. I backed the bow with rawhide mainly to armor the back against abuse, I'm sure the sapwood could have taken the tension load without a problem. The snake skin was not big enough to back the whole bow so I chose to apply it as accents. I'm happy with the result and I think the skin has a stunning pattern. I glued the rawhide and the skins with TBIII. I lined the snake skin with black to help make a smoother transition to the wood and help it pop a little more. The tips are black sheep horn. The string is fastflight with muskrat fur silencers. Most of the photo's (not the crappy ones) were taken by Bodeene Berrevoet's Photography. I'm very pleased with how this bow shoots, fast and dead in the hand. It's been a long time since I've made a bow for myself and I forgot how exciting it can be to have a new bow to shoot.  Thank you for looking.

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/14269055103_1580992db6_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14269055103/)

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/14246741952_5bf9e704ce_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14246741952/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/14248945255_9e8b5234f0_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14248945255/)

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2896/14062313780_557ba04bf0_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14062313780/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5274/14062202418_69835acab6_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14062202418/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5271/14245539851_9207ff4e13_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14245539851/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5118/14062319590_84c8c730a0_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14062319590/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5197/14248912315_bc9ae349a0_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14248912315/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5552/14245549081_22b78f8e54_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14245549081/)

(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5274/14245544641_560094e1c7_z.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/124049138@N02/14245544641/)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: dwardo on May 23, 2014, 11:29:28 am
Perfect in every aspect.  8)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: rossfactor on May 23, 2014, 11:34:18 am
That's a very fine bow!  Lots of good energy in that piece of wood. Love how you handled the snake skins. California Mountain Kingsnakes are beauties.

Gabe
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Ken S on May 23, 2014, 11:35:04 am
WOW!!! That is a beautiful bow.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: NeolithicMan on May 23, 2014, 11:44:36 am
Man ive seen some incredibly beautiful bows you have posted but so far this is my favorite. drop dead gorgeous! I hope some deer feel the same way about it :D! the kingsnake skin looks awesome on the lighter wood and I think they work great as accents. tiller looks spot on too! thank you for posting this masterpiece.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: lesken2011 on May 23, 2014, 11:49:36 am
Sweet bow, Weylin!! Another gem!! ;)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: JonW on May 23, 2014, 12:41:18 pm
That bow is stunning. Excellent work.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: danny f on May 23, 2014, 01:21:34 pm
that is a superb bow well done. i really like those skins and what you have done with them.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 23, 2014, 01:28:34 pm
I can't wait to see this one in person in a couple weeks.  Too bad that arrow pass is on the wrong side  ;)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: IdahoMatt on May 23, 2014, 01:54:16 pm
That is one of the nicest bows I have ever seen.  To think we might have a B.O.Y. candidate already.  Great great job man.  Very clean and great tiller.  Man an inspiration to say the least.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Parnell on May 23, 2014, 02:07:30 pm
Grand-slam Weylin!  Exceptional.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Blaflair2 on May 23, 2014, 03:26:31 pm
Man, that is sick!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Accipiter on May 23, 2014, 03:46:14 pm
That's some amazing work! Great story behind the name too!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: wizardgoat on May 23, 2014, 05:23:46 pm
nice bow man, would love to do a take down
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: criveraville on May 23, 2014, 06:38:42 pm
Absolutely beautiful.

Cipriano
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Pat B. on May 23, 2014, 06:44:51 pm
Absolutely beautiful... 
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: rps3 on May 23, 2014, 07:22:20 pm
Wow! Outstanding in every way.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Arrowind on May 23, 2014, 07:41:05 pm
Dude you make AWESOME bows.   Looks like another BOM to me.  Nice job Weylin!  Very very nice!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: juniper junkie on May 23, 2014, 08:06:19 pm
DANG!! that is sweet. hope to see that at the gathering.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: bubby on May 23, 2014, 08:10:29 pm
winner winner, elk steak dinner, I do have to disagree with Carson on one point, that arrow rest is just right ;) bub
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Gordon on May 23, 2014, 08:46:09 pm
Weylin, I know of a 7-point that deserves to be acquainted with a bow like that. Any lesser bow just wouldn't do it justice.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Weylin on May 23, 2014, 09:37:06 pm
Wow! Thanks for the nice response!

Thank you Dwardo, Gabe, Ken, John, Kenny, JonW, Danny F, Carson, Matt, Parnell, Blaflair, Accipiter, Wizardgoat, Cipriano, Pat B., rps3, Arrowind, Dave, bubby, and Gordon! Your kind words mean a lot.

Gabe, I was really pleased about how the skins turned out. They were more striking than I even imagined. I'll probably never see a snake like that again so I'm glad I found it dying and was able to do it justice on my bow.

John, I'm hoping the elk/deer will give me a shot with it this year. My freezer's been pretty empty.

Carson and Dave, I'll definitely be bringing it and shooting the heck out of it at the gathering. I can't wait to get there.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Matt. I'm certainly not presuming anything. I'm just glad it shoots!

wizardgoat, go for it on the take down. make sure you get a good sleeve set. (from Carson) and do your homework before you start trying to fit them. It's a royal pain in the @$$. I had the tremendous benefit of having Gordon show me how to do it the first time. That bow broke during tillering. This time I did it alone with only hand tools and there was a lot of grumbling, cursing and wasted time. Time will tell if it was worth it but I'm feeling good about it  right now.

Gordon, you can be sure that "Compadre" and I will be poking around in that bull's neighborhood this fall. Hopefully he hasn't got any smarter because he was smart enough last year.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: bow101 on May 23, 2014, 11:44:39 pm
Exceptional work, a 2 piece like that is for sure a winner.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on May 23, 2014, 11:51:58 pm
Yowza  :o
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Cade on May 24, 2014, 01:35:47 am
That's amazing! I would love to have a bow like that.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Del the cat on May 24, 2014, 04:00:39 am
Wow... not much more I can say, except I wish I'd made it ;D
Del
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: TRACY on May 24, 2014, 07:42:36 am
Absolutely beautiful and spot on in every category Weylin. Excellent work and especially like the creativeness with the skins.

Tracy
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: dbb on May 24, 2014, 11:38:30 am
Beside being a leftie its a stunner!

Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: portlandfire on May 24, 2014, 12:00:00 pm
Everything that has been said, I second!  Striking, gorgeous, beautiful......
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: vinemaplebows on May 24, 2014, 01:02:35 pm
Very, very nice!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Zion on May 24, 2014, 06:45:36 pm
Wow those skins look amazing. Sweet bow.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Will H on May 24, 2014, 07:21:53 pm
That's an exceptional bow there Weylin! I think that's my favorite I've seen of yours :) Good luck with it come hunting season!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Gordon on May 24, 2014, 08:18:42 pm
Quote
Gordon, you can be sure that "Compadre" and I will be poking around in that bull's neighborhood this fall. Hopefully he hasn't got any smarter because he was smart enough last year.

Nah, when that old boy sees that gorgeous stick you are carrying he'll trot right in and and present his broadside to you - I guarantee it!  ;D
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: mikaluger (Mick Kay) on May 25, 2014, 07:32:12 am
Mate!.................That is one inspiring bow. It has all been said. Good luck with her.
Some more Pacific Yew heading down under, me thinks....... I love it!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: RyanR on May 25, 2014, 08:52:05 am
That's a really nice bow. Lots of detail.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: H Rhodes on May 25, 2014, 09:41:18 am
Magnificent. Really beautiful work.  I always look forward to seeing your posts, but you have outdone yourself this time.  If it shoots as great as it looks your freezer should be well stocked.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Stixnstones on May 25, 2014, 03:01:24 pm
merry xmas that's a looker! awesum job
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Weylin on May 25, 2014, 04:05:47 pm
thanks, bow101

glad you like it, peacebow Coos

thank you, cman

Thanks, del. what's stopping you?  ;)

thank you, Tracy

thanks, dbb. nobody's perfect.  ;D

Thank you, Dave

Thanks, Brian

thanks, Zion

Thank you, Will. I'll do my best

As long as you guarantee it, Gordon...  ;)

Thank you Mick, have fun with that yew!

Thank you, Ryan. It was tempting to add more detail but I think this was the right amount.

Thank you, Howard. I sure hope so.

Thanks, stixnstones
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: Badly Bent on May 25, 2014, 07:24:48 pm
WOW!   A knock-out Weylin, love it.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: burn em up chuck on May 26, 2014, 09:07:25 am
    nicely done

            chuck
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26" (Pics resized. sorry!)
Post by: blackhawk on May 26, 2014, 11:25:05 am
Sweet :)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Weylin on May 27, 2014, 10:37:30 am
Thank you, Badly Bent!

Thanks, Chuck

Thanks, Chris  :)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: leehongyi on May 27, 2014, 12:31:54 pm
Nice job! Love the natural material!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Dan K on May 27, 2014, 02:19:25 pm
Really sweet Weylin. Can't wait to see it!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Joec123able on May 27, 2014, 04:16:26 pm
That bow is Freakin insane so beautiful 
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Onebowonder on May 27, 2014, 05:49:17 pm
It's bows like this one that keep the rest of us knowing that we have so much further to go in learning this craft!  OMG! but that is a work of ART and not a bit less than that...

OneBow
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: hammertime on May 27, 2014, 06:41:45 pm
You have probably heard all the compliments by now but that is simply an amazing bow..love the skins,handle and take down feature...sweet-Hammertime
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Aaron H on May 27, 2014, 07:01:20 pm
gorgeous
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Weylin on May 29, 2014, 08:41:06 pm
Thank you, Lee. It was really fun to work with all these different materials on one bow.

Thanks, Dan. Looking forward to seeing you again.

Thank you, Joe!  8)

Thank you OneBow, that's very kind of you to say.

Thank you, Hammertime.

Thanks, Aaron.
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: soy on May 30, 2014, 12:48:17 am
First off nice work on the skins....very impressive!!!!!
The whole bow is extremely pleasing to the eye from the handle wrap to the beautiful bend on it. The attention to detail is stunning! Bravo
I hope that it serves you well on your elk hunt ;)
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Weylin on June 09, 2014, 01:19:02 am
Thanks, Sticksnstones!

Thank you, HRhodes. I sure hope it fills the freezer. It's been empty for too long!
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Carson (CMB) on June 09, 2014, 03:47:24 am
It sure was fun watching Compadre spit arrows like lazers this weekend. 
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Pappy on June 09, 2014, 10:07:02 am
Now that is just plan beautiful,in all aspects.Love the skins/tips and everything else about it.Almost missed this one, ??? Very nice job and I know it has to be a shooter. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Richard B on June 09, 2014, 03:36:57 pm
Like the way the limbs flow into the handle without the step being obvious  :). You have seemed to have achieved that on the back using the snake skins and binding. Did you finish the sides and belly to the outer dimension of the tubing, rather than fading out from the inner surface of the tube?
Title: Re: "Compadre" Yew Take-Down Recurve 58#@26"
Post by: Weylin on June 09, 2014, 11:28:45 pm
Thanks, Pappy!

Richard B, You're right. I did finish the sides and belly to the outer dimension of the tubing to hide the metal sleeves. I was careful not to have the bend of the bow work to far into the fades so that I was risking putting pressure on the abrupt edges. As you know, you can't do that on the back because you don't want to violate the back. So I built the back up with a couple pieces of cow rawhide and filed them down to make a smooth transition over about four inches. Then the main piece of deer rawhide went over that to bring it flush with the sleeves. I was strategic with the lace binding to hide any minute discrepancies.