Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Julian on April 21, 2018, 04:03:15 am
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(https://i.imgur.com/GT1Kbj9.jpg)
Went over a work in progress with my sloyd knife. I think once I sand the ridges and oil, this could look really nice, and its somewhat tactile.
What are your thoughts?
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I'm not a fan of it. I like smooth lines on a selfbow. Maybe if it was just in the actual grip it would look better. That's just my opinion. If you like the way it looks that's all that matters. I would suggest making a better transition between limb and handle. Your fades are pretty steep.
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hmm, I'll work on it.
now you mention it I'm a tad worried about the fades. they are steep but I think it will be fine. it does taper into the working limb over a bit of a longer distance than you can see well here. Like its steep at the top but shallow at the bottom?
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I don't like it. I like em rounded and smooth as a baby's butt. If I'd find so much as a hint of a single tool or sanding mark on a bow when it's done, it'd drive me NUTS.
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Julian, there's lots of room for personal preference.
Watch that abrupt transition to the limb though.
Jawge
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well I think I'll probably end up covering it in leather but in the mean time I'll try develop the idea a bit better.
I like the idea of having some kind of grippyness without changing the material
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I'm a bit worried about my fades now so I'm going to take a better photo and start a new thread about it.
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There is no need for a bow handle to have any grippiness. Slick as a polished hammer handle is best.
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I find commercially tanned deer leather quite grippy.
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For what its worth, here's a finished example of the kind of thing I was going for:
(https://i.imgur.com/PlWsEMq.png)
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I think it's cool. I might not do it myself, but I like that you are. Kind of a "staghorn" look like a knife handle.
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I think that is a creative idea with a good finished look with a lot of possibilities if you use different stains.
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Julian, you have just reinvented checkering. I kinda like the look on certain handles, if ya like go with it.
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Hi Julian, I want to encourage you to try this handle style. Might turn out nice!
Even though glossy and shiny is pleasing to the eye (and dents and scratches can lead to a bow breaking), a part of me cant stand it too pretty, replicating the look of fiber glass and plastic era bows with perfect surface. I feel similar about neat leather sewn on handles to be honest. Too much victorian era -robin hood romanticism for me:) Leather or suede soaks up moisture and transports it into the bow. I prefer it a bit rustic. I like to bring the character of the wood out with a nice finish and I tend to leave the grip bare, or wrap it in cord or simple strips of leather I can remove if wet.
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Id like a snake or fish scale pattern. Something shallow, but able to be felt in the hand. I like my grips to have some "grab" to them. When you hunt with your bows you find yourself in a lot of scenarios. Gloves may be slippery from rain or snow or sweat. Or, maybe you dont have gloves on at all, just wet hands make a grip slide all over. I dont like that. I eliminate any chances of my equipment costing me. I want it to be my fault only when things dont go well in the field.
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Thanks for the input everyone.
I'm gonna keep the texture on the back of the handle, but smooth it out on the sides and the fades.
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I think it will look pretty cool.
One possibility I was thinking on how to finish a handle like that would be to give the carved area a few fast passes over a flame. I think I may make some interesting contrasts in color. Sorry just thinking out loud... Good luck with the rest of the build (-P Mike