Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: nakedfeet on June 10, 2014, 11:31:29 pm
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First of all, this is the first bow I've posted here. I've been lurking around on the forums for over a year, but just actually made an account not too long ago. So this is the first one getting posted, but not the first one I've made. I've done about 15 I guess over the last year.
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After my last few bows haven't turned out well for one reason or another, this one has helped me get my confidence back.
It's a simple design and the execution of it is the best of all that have had this layout.
Realizing that my shooting had plateaued a while back, I wanted to have a good practice bow in the 40-45# range that I could shoot a lot and try to work on my accuracy and consistency with. I now have that bow. I plan on shooting this one a lot.
Next up is to make a (or perhaps several) 50-55# bow(s). Once I have one that I'm happy with, that will be my deer hunting bow this season. Around late August/September, I'll make the switch and start shooting that one exclusively. Until then, this is the one I'll be spending the most time with.
The wood is oak from Menards -- not positive if it's red or white, but it's probably red, even though the wood was paler than most of the red I've worked.
70" nock-to-nock
42# @ 29"
A pleasure to shoot.
Now I just need to tune some arrows to it and get to shooting!
(When I went to take pictures today, I was first disappointed that the lighting was kind of dull. And then I realized my camera was dead. So these are phone pictures. I will probably take some better ones in better light soon. At least an up-to-date full draw picture.)
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The Back
(http://i.imgur.com/QJN0tbg.jpg)
The back is trapped moderately, which should be visible in this picture.
Length is 70" nock-to-nock. Pretty straight-forward design that I've come to like. Bow is just under 2" at its widest, maintains this width for 5 or 6 inches off the fades, and then tapers to the tips. Both tips are right about 1/2" at the nocks. Limbs are asymmetrical, the top limb being longer by (I think) 1 1/2".
This is the third or fourth bow I've done with this design, and so far this is the best execution of it. The next one up will also be this design, but wider (aiming for 50-55#).
The Belly
(http://i.imgur.com/WJGPAcs.jpg)
Handle Section
(http://i.imgur.com/hrmcsxx.jpg)
The handle is wrapped in jute twine. No shelf, but an "indexer" of sorts. I like to shoot off the hand, so the built up ridge serves as a way to know where to place my hand and the arrow.
The bow was stained with Varatane "Cabernet." At first I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about the color, but I like it. I need to work on my staining (and finishing), but overall, it looks nice.
Text reads "42# @ 29" / AJD / June 2014." (AJD are my initials.)
(Rested) Unbraced Profile
(http://i.imgur.com/Vs3qlff.jpg)
Braced Profile
(http://i.imgur.com/zka6H74.jpg)
Top Nock - Belly Side
(http://i.imgur.com/YXj0Ojk.jpg)
I've done these style nocks a few times. I think of them as a kind of hybrid between side nocks and pin nocks. They are self-nocks, as you can tell (mostly in the next picture), and styled as I usually do them.
They aren't the skinniest tips ever done, but I think they're pretty narrow. I have pretty thin fingers, and the tips are smaller than my pinky.
The bottom nock looks slightly different because the string (with a bowyer's knot) was slipping. It actually overtightened itself right off the bow as I drew once -- and scared the crap out of me in the process! So with a little adjustment the string stays put now.
Top Nock - Back Side
(http://i.imgur.com/NFtduPH.jpg)
Full Draw
(http://i.imgur.com/QcUMw7T.jpg)
Sorry for no up-to-date full draw photo. This was taken after the bow had its final scrapes, somewhere in the middle of being shot in, and before being stained/finished.
I'll get a current one soon.
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Thats a great looking bow! I like those nocks. They would make me a little nervous though. I like the color also. Keep up the good work, and welcome to PA.
Tattoo Dave
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That is a nice job on that one. Congratulations!
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Welcome to PA :) nice bow! Congrats!
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Maybe I better get meself some red oak boards. Very nice job!
And welcome!
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'Bout time ;)
Great looking bow, obviously the product of some good work! I don't know what I'd think of those nocks without trying them myself, but I'm sure you have it figured out well enough.
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What is it about the nocks that you guys aren't so sure about? Just that they're self nocks?
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It's just the way they're shaped as a bit of a slope for me. I'd be afraid of my string eventually stretching over the single shoulder. If there was a peak keeping the string in place it'd only be a question of whether or not one point of contact is enough to keep the string from splitting the tip.
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That is one classically simple bow that is very well executed. Great job.
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Oh almost forgot welcome to PA. Can't wait to see your next one and the ten after that >:D
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nice bow and welcome to PA
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Welcome,looks like a sweet shooter to me. Nice work. :)
Pappy
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There's something about those kind of bows I really like. The straight line taper from fades to tip just appeals to me for some reason. I might have to go and find an elm board or something and try it out, I've only got staves and nothing clean enough to achieve that I don't think... very nice effort :laugh:
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Cool..congrats...welcome to the fun!!! How bout trying one of those plantation pines next..that'll get your confidence up too :laugh:
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You have a nice bow there, very well done. :)
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I wish my bows looked that good. Nice job, and welcome to PA. :)
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Welcome ezc! Very nice results and bow
Tracy
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Welcome to the fun. Nice work on the bow.
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Looks like somebody was reading and absorbing the last year! Very nice effort!
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Very nicely done! Congratulations! Jawge
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Cool..congrats...welcome to the fun!!! How bout trying one of those plantation pines next..that'll get your confidence up too :laugh:
There's an idea! One of my little sisters does need a bow. :P
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It's just the way they're shaped as a bit of a slope for me. I'd be afraid of my string eventually stretching over the single shoulder. If there was a peak keeping the string in place it'd only be a question of whether or not one point of contact is enough to keep the string from splitting the tip.
Ah, yes. I see how you could get that impression. Those two pictures, especially the one from the back side, don't really make it look like there is a whole lot there for the string to catch on. So I took a few pictures that will hopefully show the situation a little better.
Two bows side by side with the same style nocks, though they look a little different.
(http://i.imgur.com/ZXOlaMN.jpg)
That's the view from the belly side. See how the strings kind of ride down and to the right? Because they do this they basically pull themselves into the shoulder.
(http://i.imgur.com/21fAUMJ.jpg)
With this view from the side, you can see that the strings are secure on the shoulder and not risking sliding down further. If I made huge loops I might have to worry about that. But in general I make my loops just big enough -- they usually don't ride down the limb more than six inches or so.
(http://i.imgur.com/exstQOE.jpg)
And a view from the back side again shows the angle the strings sit at. The shoulders are wide enough to completely cover the width of the string.
So in the end, I can definitely see where nervousness could stem from, but I have perfect confidence in these nocks. Both in holding onto the string and in holding up. The bow on the right has probably been shot 1000 times by now (made in February) and the nocks show no sign of degradation. That's with "fast flight" (BCY Force 10) too. Every bow I've made has had self nocks, and almost every one of them I've put a low-stretch string on.
Another benefit is that these style nocks make stringing and unstringing very easy.
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Nice job and welcome! I always like to see another board bow builder in the ranks, makes me feel more secure!
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It all makes sense now ;D
I've also been using controversial nocks, made from extra rings on the tips of black locust bows. I'm convinced they're at least as safe as a glue-on overlay and haven't had them fail, others worry the string will split the extra growth ring.
Keep being a rebel ;)
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Nice job and welcome! I always like to see another board bow builder in the ranks, makes me feel more secure!
Haha! I make both, but I've made quite a few from bows just because they're pretty easy and I don't have to wait for a stave to dry or anything. A lot of the staves I do have that I can turn into bows have a little more character than I feel like tackling sometimes. I do have two (fairly) straight-forward white ash sapling staves that will be bows before too long. And yesterday I cut up some maple, so I'll be up to my neck in those once they're processed and put aside to dry.
Sometimes I'll just feel like looking through a stack of boards though, and come home with one or two.
I've also been using controversial nocks, made from extra rings on the tips of black locust bows. I'm convinced they're at least as safe as a glue-on overlay and haven't had them fail, others worry the string will split the extra growth ring.
Yeah, I've seen those. I think both arguments make some sense.