Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BigWapiti on February 03, 2008, 06:30:20 pm
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Well, I finally did it! I now have a notch in the wood bench designating bow #1. It was a very long process. I'd almost say a frustrating process due to the number of staves I went through to get a shootable bow, but it was extremely surprising to me how enjoyable the learning process was. I'd hinge a stave and have to start over, I'd find a crack in another and have to start over, I'd completely make wrong cuts on others and yep, had to start over. But each time it was easy to notch it to the learning process. Luckily I cut enough staves in late fall to produce this one!! (Pictures to follow, I hear everyone here tends to like pictures... :)).
This particular bow came from a rather special day. My schedule was amazingly free one Saturday, and my father too, had some time to spare. He and I packed up the Explorer, his Golden Retriever and my Black Lab and went for a drive 45 minutes to our west into the colorful fall colors of the I-90 cooridor over Snoqualmie Pass (Washington State). I take the opportunity on every one of my business trips to the big city of Seattle to scope out a few of the vine maple groves off the highway. We visited one of my most recent finds. It was a fun trip that he and I had.
We harvested several nice staves that day - one in particular was a small 2" diameter "tree". Usually these things grow in bushes of vines - but this one I remember as a lone tree - shooting straight up from its root (again, rather unuasual for the VMs). I didn't think much of it, and passed it by a few times before giving a good look. It had potential, I thought - at least to my very inexperienced novice bowyers-eye... Funny how a tree can look straight and knot free as can be .... until you remove its bark.
Well, we cut this lone tree - and below is the bow she gave back. ((no worries, we cut with thought in mind too - just one or two from each clump in a wide area)) And as for the poor staves that had to endure my trial and error, I've made several trinkets of their after maths :) - and the rest of their souls went to heating the shop, keeping my fingers warm.
Well, I fought and fought for a name for this new creation - I had considered using a name to give meaning to that lone standing vine maple, but instead chose one to memorialize that day with my pop. We both treasure days where we can get into the woods together - so the name was made: "A Day with Dad" - works well for me!
Many thanks to Gordon for sharing his how-to with me in public and private messsages, for his build along, and for his continuous encouragement for me to just stay the course. Another round of thanks to the others on this site for their endless and friendly advice. Also to those of you who, along with myself, have been hounding these poor folks for their hard earned information - it has helped us all I'm sure.
(is it just me, or is anyone else envisioning me on stage at the academy awards giving my "thank you" speech ??? heheh ::))
Pictures next!!
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This is certainly a character stave - never had I thought it would have been so wavy and twisted seeing it standing so straight and tall in the woods that day.
I learned a lot on this one - ended up with a bit too much string follow (learned to not over work the limbs until you get that hinge taken care of), a twisted limb (the result of my layout), a two piece handle section (a slight slip of the bandsaw blade), some issues with the stain (try it on a scrap stave as many times it take to get it right -- and sand lightly between coats (some color removed from the bumps and curves inherant to VM).
But hey, whats a first bow if you don't learn from the experience. I still love the thing, twist, curves, follow and all!! ;D
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You said you like pictures around here.... remember, this is my new baby... I want everyone too goo goo and gaw gaw with me here. ;D
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Last set....
btw, it shoots great too -- but about a 100 or so through her before the finish went on - a little hand shock (learned from that one too) and she sure beats on my wrist (maybe inherant to a long bow - being a recurve shooter for years).
So, this being my first, I compare it to my first and only kid getting his license and wanting to hit the road for the first time. I really really REALLLLY don't want to shoot it and have it break!!! Is this normal? Should I wall hang it? Is that fair? I would really like to see deer in the freezer with it. I digress ------ here's the last set of pics.
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Aboslutely gorgeaus. I love it. You should be extremely proud
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Aye it's a nice Bow! What finish have you used? it's got a nice shine to it.
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Loki and david w. thanks for your comments.
Here's some specifics:
* Vine Maple stave
* 62 1/2" NTN
* Handle 1 1/8"
* 1 1/2" at fades for 12" up limbs
* 5/8" nocks
Stain is Black and Drk Brown leather dye
Finish is 15 coats of Tru-Oil
Shelf is hardwood sanded to fit
Handle is leather (recycled brown leather jacket, dyed black)
Trinkets are antler horn dyed Drk Brown
If I end up using it as a hunting bow, I'll tone down the finish a bit.
Here's some of the links that helped me get it done:
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,4372.msg62703.htm
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,4800.msg66289.html
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looks very good, especially for your first its a great job. it looks like one that would be in my collection of "twisted limbs". excellent excellent job. no big deal on the string follow, but if it didnt take it, i would say its perfect!
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I love it! Outstanding finish work!
You make me want to post my next bows on March 1st... >:D
Keep the Vine Maple love a-flowin'!
Joe
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You did an excellent job on this difficult bow and the fact it is #001(might wanna add a few more "0" just in case you get addicted ;D ) makes it even more impressive! 8)
If you want to knock the shine off, a quick spray of satin poly will do it and will last. ;)
My wife and I visit the Portland area almost every year and in some of our travels, usually in early October, we can see the vine maples in the drainage areas in the Cascade and Coastal Ranges. I guess it is the only deciduous trees in those drainages. Almost the only fall color in the conifer forests. Pat
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Congratulations Mike, Thats one to be proud of for sure. My first bow didn't look half that good. You are well on your way to being a fine bowyer and with Gordon mentoring I'm sure we will see some more great works of art. Love the colors and the character. Keenan
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That is an incredible bow. The color is nice also. Justin
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Great looking bow. You did a good job nailing the tiller with that whoopie-doo in the top limb. Excellent job on the stain, finish, and detail work, too. Looks ten times better than my first bow.
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Well what can I say yer first born is one lttle sweetie ;D
You sure set yourself a task and stuck to it, congrats very nicely done.
Ok when ya starting #002 ;)
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Thanks all - and for the record, constructive critisisms would be greatly appreciated. I know its far from perfect - I've at least proven that I can make block of wood look perdy. My #2 and beyond will build on this one, so bring on the feedback.
#2 is already stated DanaM - in the drying rack now. Thinking Spring so I can get some more.
After fighting a tough hinge at the fade early in the tillering, I honestly got paranoid to touch the area again; and hesitant to work any one area in too much detail. I think that maybe I could have evened out the curve a little better; next time.....
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usually in early October, we can see the vine maples in the drainage areas in the Cascade and Coastal Ranges. I guess it is the only deciduous trees in those drainages. Almost the only fall color in the conifer forests. Pat
yep, thats how I go about finding them - bright red patches in the green. They're not big on camo I guess! :) They stick out like a gorgeous sore thumb in October.
Mike
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Hey Mike, feels good doesn't it. I wreaked four VM staves before I got my first shooter so you're doing very well. She's a beauty for sure. I wouldn't hang that one a wall, shoot it! Vine maple is tough and it takes a lot to break it - and your tiller looks pretty darn good anyway. I'll bet that bow will be flinging arrows for a long time. Congratuations!
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No bow should be built to hang on a wall. >:( They are built to shoot. ;D If a bow doesn't survive, there is a reason why....but hang it on a wall and you will never know. Pat
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Beautiful bow, lots of character and for sure a majory challenge for someone just starting off, You did a good job saving it after that hinge. Tiller shape looks very good, With the limbs running paralell down to 12" from the tips you could have either narrowed them or got them bending more and that would have lessened the hand shock. Overall I think you should be very proud of yourself. great job! Steve
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Very nicely done. Your finish work is of a very high quality for a 'first' bow. I think you could blame some of the set on the length. Vine maple is unpredictable when it comes to string follow and at that relatively short length, you should expect a little string follow. All that to say, a seasoned bowyer may not have fared any better.
Congratulations on a fine bow!
J. D.
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great looking bow , fo sho!
jamie
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Awesome bow. Great success in your first completion. :)
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That's fantastic The bow is wonderful. Congratulations! Jawge
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Wow!! Nice first bow!! A character stave 'ta boot. Well done. You bit off a big chew with a character stave, and a nice job of pulling it off!!
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Beautiful bow Mike,Finish work looks great and the tiller looks good also.Great job on a
challenging piece of wood.Nothing like #1.I still remember that feeling.congrats on it.I
know everyone has there preferences but as for me I love character bows.Just can't help
myself. :)
Pappy
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Very nice job. Bookmarked, too, under Feb Self Bow of the Month. Take a look everybody how BW does his pictures. Neutral background, no clutter so we really see the bow. Good job.
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All I can say Mike is great job. I can't believe you had the guts to try a piece of wood with that many obsticles in it. I think the whole thing is cool. Danny
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Hey, wow, thanks everyone! It took a loooong time to get this thing done doing it after work or only on the weekends between honeydos. I was considering selling the business and start playing with wood shavings instead - so much more enjoyable than writing computer code all day. ;) And I'm very glad to hear you stress that I shoot it, hunt with it, use it. I will.
Very nice job. Bookmarked, too, under Feb Self Bow of the Month. Take a look everybody how BW does his pictures. Neutral background, no clutter so we really see the bow. Good job.
Yeah, but beware, and heed my warning, if you don't move the furniture back your wife gets rather displeased....... I have to remember to do that when I get home tonight. ;D
Thanks again all, I appreciate the nice comments.
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beautifull bow!!.. great story... got my vote!!... ide work on form to get rid of that wrist slap,. turn your body more towards the target and bend your bow arm just alittle, and work on your grip!! one more thing ide raize the brace hieght ?[if you can? just a bit at a time till you find a sweet spot] this will help with wrist slap and bow shock!!.....great bow my friend and ide hunt with it for sure!! work on your form bud!! wrist slap will ruin a hunt especially with bulky hunting cloths ....snake
ps ,, a couple sets of fur string silencer's will help also!!
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Great looking bow ! You got my vote also.
I hope my first turns out half has good as you'rs did !
FB
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Hey, thanks guys. I appreciate the feedback.
I did increase the brace height up to 6.5" and found the handshock lessened a little, but the wrist slap was less. I think you're right, I have to work on my form. My recurve seems to have been less forgiving of my form. Too, the bow is much quieter now as well; with less feel of stack. Major difference made with a change in brace height -- not sure why I had it set so low anyway.
Working on #002 and #003 now, and its going much more efficiently. That first one is an absolute bear to get off the bench. Though I'm finding myself much more keen (aka Anal) on things as I'm building these.
Too, I don't expect to pretty the next ones up as much - After the first one, I've found myself less into flash and more into the true bow. I think I had to pretty up the first one just to give it that special-ness. :)
Thanks again for the feedback.
Mike
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Masterfully exicuted sir! that looks like a challenging stave for your first! beautiful work! aww heck, its allready been said. ditto to all of the above!
Phil
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Really nice bow. I have a couple of VM billitts coming to me from a friend of mine. THis will be my first try with VM and my second bow that I have spliced. I hope mine comes out as good as yours.
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Thanks Burnt Hill Archer and snakebow - its been a blast and quite a learning experience. Having a great time with it. Thanks for the comments.
I've been out shooting it this afternoon - what a complete kick it is to shoot something you've created! I'm looking forward to buying deer/elk tags this year as I have one for my son on the bench now. We're hoping to get out for some spring turkey to see how they do. I'm sure it'll guarantee us time in the woods anyway - what more can one ask anyway? ;D !
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Beautiful bow on a challenging piece of wood.Very nice.Tiller looks great. :)
Pappy
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Thanks Pappy!
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There ought to be a blacktail posing with that bow this fall.Congrats on a nice build.You sure picked a challenge for #1.I'm still cutting my teeth on the straight stuff.
Frank
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Mike: Don't know how I missed this one. That is a fine looking bow, quite a challenge with all the character. I have'nt tried a character bow yet, will soon. Getting out in the woods with your dad is just a bonus. Me and dad went walking and cut some mulberry week ago - I'll have to come up with a meaningful name like that when I get one built from it. Cangrats on your accomplishment :)...
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Frank - Thanks - that blacktail pic is certainly is the hope. Though I think even a little rabbit would bring out the same sized grin!!! (well, maybe not... :))
Cowboy - Thanks - I didn't realize just how tough it was until attempt #2a hinged a miserable death and #2b is giving a challenging grief. Not sure how many renditions it'll take before #2 gets out. Give credit where credit's due on the vine maple stuff!! Those guys that pump out the VM beauties have some real skills. dang, this is tough stuff to work!! :)
Love your Osage recurve too! Maybe we'll have to work a trade one of these days - VM and Osage - my next challenge is to "chase a ring" on a log. Good luck on BOM - that is one beauty of a bow you have there!!
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Thanks Mike! Same to you :). I have made a trade Osage for VM, just haven't gathered up the courage to attack that peice of wood yet ;D.