Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Keenan on March 11, 2008, 05:00:21 pm
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This is a Sturgeon backed Syringa Gull wing bow. It's 68" NTN and 56# at 28" Sturgeon skin backing with elk antler tips. This stave started with a very severe reflex right at the handle as well as a beautifull arrow pass offset. I didn't know if I could tame this one to keep it from twisting in the hand. So to start I heat deflexed the limbs right at the fades to tame the reflex a little. Here are the results. ;D Keenan
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Here are a few more; Keenan
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That bow is stunning! beautiful job on that. How does she shoot? Steve
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Here is what I started with. Keenan
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Steve this one has a butter smooth draw with it's length but has dose have some hand shock. The syringa is fairly dense and I'm not sure if it's design or just to much limb mass. Maybe a little of both. Still formulating my thoughts on this syringa. Keenan
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Keenan I'm thoroughly impressed with this one. Love the uniqueness from the shape to the belly where the pith was removed
the skins and handle wrap all scream "I'm Different" Great Job and thanks for the build along. Now to find me some decent lilac :)
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Thank you Dana, ;D ;D Keenan
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man it looks like it would realy want to roll on ya when in the first stages.
that bow is very unique!
very nice lines my man.
have you ever had any tips like that pop off on bows while you tried to string them, or do you use a bow stringer on your bows?
i would think that with nice snake skin,and fish skin,and bark backings a stringer would cause some havoc over time.
i tried those tips like you made and mine did not hold well. i think it might have been the epoxy.
what kind of glue/epoxy did you use keenan?
great job,great bow!
mbg
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Awesome bow Keenan! Where do you get the sturgeon skin from?
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Thanks Titan, I get them from friends and relatives that go sturgeon fishing. Always asking people to save them for me. Keenan
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Thanks Jamie, I have never had a tip pop off but did have one break that got dropped on the floor. It broke right at the string grove But had taken some hard hits befor and had survived. I've used everything form super glue, tightbond,gorilla glue and 5 minute epoxy. they all will work if the surface prep is good. Always degrease and score the surface real well.
I dont use stringers and have always used the step through method. I know that some dont like method that but It's what I learned very young and have never had problems with it. Keenan
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That is a beautiful bow Keenan. I love the sturgeon and antler combination. The spots on the skin match the horn perfectly. I also love the little groove from the pithy core of the stave. Justin
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really like every bit of the details of this bow; that pith grove is really sexy, so are tips, skins, overlays....and the tiller of course!
frank
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nice looking bow good job
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I'm stunned that you were able to take a piece of wood like that and turn it into something so functional and beautiful. Keenan, you're my hero!
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Good looking bow Keenan. The sturgeon skin back, pith showing up in the belly, and the limb shifting so abruptly sideways make this an extraordinary bow! Good job on the tips as well... :)
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I'm with everybody else - that's one cool bow all over! I would have probably used it for kindling if I'd had it in my shop looking like it did in the beginning ;D. Got a lot to learn...
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Very very nice, that things got some sweet lines.
VB
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Neat looking bow! Nice decorative touches on it too.
Sean
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Thank you everyone for the kind words, It's humbling and I'm glad you like it.
Justin. At first I didn't know what to think or do with the pith groves, but they kind of grow on ya after a while, and now I really like them.
Gordon, you are one of best bowyers I know and I'm humbled to hear you say that. ;D Can't wit to see those projects your working on.
Greg, With all the quallity bows that you southern boys are kickin out I'm just trying to do something comparable. Keenan
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Keenan, That is a beauty, and you did a wonderful job on a crazy piece. I'm gonna check my tree book and see if Syringa grows here. I enjoyed your build a long, and your pics. here are most informative.
You mentioned you can feel a little thump when shooting, and having made a few bows with the hard reflex in the grip I can relate to that statement. What has worked for me was using heavier arrows, and subtle tinkering with increasing brace height. I'm betting it shoots pretty fast, and the tiller looks perfect.
Rich
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That bow is everything I'd expect out of you!!! :o ;D ;) absolutely awesome....
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Richard thank you, Some have mentioned the buildalong but this is not that bow, except it is the one that I did the handle wrap buildalong for. The syringa bow buildalong is almost finished as well and should be posting more pics soon.
tpoof, Thats humbling thank you. Keenan
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Keenan,
Beautifull bow!! ;D Hey, Syringa.....is there another common name??? This is not ringing a bell???
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Keenan, I thought something looked different ;)..
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Hey Brian Syringa is part of the lylac fammily. this is the stuff with the small white flowers, although there are several types. It makes incredible arrows but I still have some reserves about the best designs for the woods. I think Dave is right and it would make an incredible short sinew backed bow. You have made a believer out of me on the casacra and I'm hoping to get some more of that soon. It seems more durable and alot nicer and more predictable grain. I have a sturgeon backed cascara that I'm just finishing for my wife and she's loving it. Just have to do the handle wrap. Keenan
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Nice job Keenan!!
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Thanks Dano. ;D
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You have made a believer out of me on the cascara and I'm hoping to get some more of that soon.
Keenan, if you can make it to our rendezvous in June we can get you into a bunch of cascara.
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Wow ,what can I say that hasn't been said.It's beautiful.Very fine job on a tough piece of
wood.I love everything about it.Skins,tips,handle and Tiller. :) :) :)
Pappy
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I don't have time to check many bows nowadays, but I surely am glad I opened this thred,..... FANTASTIC Keenan !!,
what a treat. ;)
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yeehaw and giddiup brother!. that is phenomenol! ;D
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Great looking bow Kennan! Those tips are really nice.
Alan
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Thank you all for the nice compliments.... ;D ;D
"yeehaw and giddiup brother!. that is phenomenol " Jamie you made my day ;D It's good to be getting back up on the horse Bro. :) Feels like it's been along time since I've been able to complete anything. Keenan
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OK - you rule! I'd vote for the bow if I only saw the tips. Bookmarked with admiration for March Self Bow of the Month.
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syringa is great wood. that is a real fine bow. I would have made the outer limbd bend a little more, but it means nothing with such a long bow as this one. bet the draw is smooth! does it have any hand shock?
I relly like the profile, that gull wing style is my personal favourite.
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Thank you Oldbow, That really means alot to me coming from someone who has seen the amount of bows that you have. Thanks again for all the work you do for all of us that frequent this site. :) :) :)
Finnish, thank you, yes butter smooth draw but a has a fair thump to it. Keenan
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Shot this bow in some more today and played around with some heavier arrows and that tamed that hand shock considerably. I think this bow will be a good bow for when I need a good heavy arrow with big obsidian heads. ;D ;D
I'm liking the groups that it is shooting, seems real forgiving. Maybe I've just been shooting those shorties to long. ;) Keenan
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That is incredible. The Sturgeon sets it off perfectly. Almost looks like that's what the bark should look like.
Syringa is another name for Lilac but it is Mock Orange that goes by the name as well. That might be the other name ringing a bell.
The two are related but not as closely as their common names may suggest. Syringa is the Latin name for Lilac. Mock Orange is Philadelphus.
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Keenan,
Thanks for the info....good luck with the Cascara, hope your wife enjoys the bow ;D
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Keenan, you did an exceptional job with that gnarly chunk of wood. And as usual, amazing detail work. Fine looking weapon.
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Thankyou PatM, If you look at the syringa arrow buildalong in the buildalong section JJ gives all the info about syringa as well as some pics of what we were harvesting. ;)
Brian, Thank you It's coming along nice I'll post some pics of that one soon. Also see above
Hillbilly, Thank you. It's a serious sickness to drool over a crooked stave vrs a clean and straight one. ::)
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that bow is too long for you! you really should give it to someone with a longer draw....like I have ;D Guys, I got to see this bow in person and am very impressed with it. keenan has a sickness for twisted bows and does incredible work on them. we were talking about doing a bow building campout around the last of april or first part of may in the central oregon area. anyone who would be interested in attending would be more than welcome. Keenan is a master craftsman with metal also, he built me a rack for my old bronco to haul my tipi poles out to the Glass Buttes Knap-In, he is coming with me, should be a lot of fun :D
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Beautiful work Keenan. Fine craftmanship on the tips, like the handle stitch on the side too.
mack
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;D ;D Dave your right this bow is way to long for me ;D. I did toy with the thought of giving you this one. But I have an obligation to a man thats been paitently waiting since last summer for me to heal up and get his B-day present done. I'm also afriad that you would shoot it much better then me and then I'd look even more like a rooky. ;D Thank you Dave for all the kind words, you give me more credit then I deserve and I've seen and shot your bows and your bows are an inspiration.
As Dave said we are planning a Central Oregon rondevous the last of April or early May. It would be great to see hpw many we could get over here.
Thanks Mack. ;D Keenan
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Really nice bow. Great work form a "troubled" stave.
I have walked by Syringa a few times in my life without paying much attention.
Next time I will have my saw handy. Love the pithy grove.
Bryan
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Thanks Brian, ;D This is a different bow then the buildalong that has been the real challenge. But that one is almost done as well. Keenan
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Been shooting this one some more and loving it. At first I wasn't sure how I'd like it because I prefer shorter bows but this smooth draw and better accurracy is real apealing. I made this one for a guy's B-day and wanted to shoot it in some more befor giving it but now I'm wondering if I should start on another similar to it. ??? ::) Keenan
Syringa is starting to grow on me. Atfirst I didn't like the fact that there is not much character in the grain at all but stained it looks great and the pith groves do grow on you as well. Keenan
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Keenan,
Is Syringa "Mock orange"??
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Brian , Yes however I know there are several varioties. Take a look at the syringa arrow buildalong the Juniper Junky did in the buildalongs. He posted some pics of what it looks like as well as a discription, Good luck Brian Keenan