Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Parnell on March 07, 2021, 07:51:46 pm

Title: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on March 07, 2021, 07:51:46 pm

I haven’t done a bow for myself in awhile.  This is underway, a 59” Osage.  It has that slight bulged handle that I’ll get just breaking at tiller.  Such a gorgeous day down here today...perfect weather.  It was a fine morning laying down the sinew and listening to the mocking birds putting on the show.

I half tillered the bow to about 16” before doing the sinew, so now It’s time to wait. 

I’ll post up with the finish work when it gets there!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on March 07, 2021, 07:56:30 pm

Also, the sinew is being recycled.  Made one for my nephew last June, or so but it had a stringing accident!  He is young...
Anyhow, the dark spots are from the last job.  Not first used sinew.  I’ll be interested to see if it makes a difference.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bjrogg on March 07, 2021, 08:09:55 pm

That one is going to be interesting Steve. Don’t forget to show us when you get back to it. (-P

Bjrogg

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Will B on March 07, 2021, 09:41:07 pm

I’m getting ready to do my first sinew-backed Osage recurve. I’m hoping for a 64” long bow and ~60# @ 28”. Do you recommend only tillering to about 16” before applying my sinew?  Thanks for the build.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on March 07, 2021, 10:03:37 pm

I won’t, Brian. 

Will, I’m looking to preserve as much of this reflexed profile as I can through the tiller.  I can’t say that I know definitively if applying mid tiller is better than after completing tiller.  I’ve just done it this way in the past.  Maybe others will chime in with their thoughts?

As far as what you propose, my initial thought is that once the bow gets much past 60” in length the sinew begins to become counterproductive for performance due to the additional weight, I believe?  I think I recall this from the BB reading years ago?

That said...build what makes you happy!  Right?

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Pappy on March 07, 2021, 10:04:38 pm

Nice Steve , look forward to seeing it . Pappy

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Will B on March 07, 2021, 10:50:14 pm

Thanks for your thoughts Steve. I might save my sinew for a shorter bow.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 08, 2021, 12:33:09 pm

 I think alot depends on how far you plan to draw the bow,, as far as the length of a sinew bow,, I think your bow is a nice length and will have a wide range of draw length that will shoot good,,

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on March 13, 2021, 11:26:31 am

2 more layers of sinew over the week.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bjrogg on March 13, 2021, 01:57:38 pm

Still watching  (-P
Bjrogg

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Hamish on March 13, 2021, 05:45:20 pm

cool so far. (-P

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on April 10, 2021, 02:38:42 pm

5” of reflex.  Going to lay down rawhide and then see from there.  I am wondering about soaking the stripsin a stained solution of oak bark and ash to darken it before I put it on with hide glue, this time.  Thoughts on this?

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: PaSteve on April 10, 2021, 04:11:26 pm

Great looking bow. I've used water soluble dye or food coloring mixed in my hide glue with good results. Maybe some really dark coffee would darken it up too.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 10, 2021, 04:34:23 pm

leather dye after it is on,, water color,, thinned down acrylic,,I guess instant coffee mixed real thick,, oil paint,, free sample house  paint home depot,, brown ink watered down,,

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: JW_Halverson on April 10, 2021, 11:22:46 pm

What do you plan to treat the arrow fletching with to make them fireproof? Cuz you know that one is gonna fling arrows so fast the fletching is gonna catch fire!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bjrogg on April 11, 2021, 10:33:38 am

That’s looking really nice so far Steve. I really have to try that sometime.

Bjrogg

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 11, 2021, 02:25:19 pm

yes it gonna need some fire proof for sure,,

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on April 23, 2021, 10:54:35 pm

Progress this week but it has been a little screwy.  There is a minor whoop-de-do in the bottom limb that isn’t bad...but, it is just enough to screw with me in the tiller.  It’s out to 24” now so I’ll break the handle just a bit and smooth out a bit of the flat spots by using my gooseneck scraper to hollow the belly in those spots.  And, thin the grip. 

I ended up soaking the rawhide strips in real thick brewed coffee.  I let parts kinda hang out for some contrast.  I like the way they look now.  Hopefully they turn out well when placed on the limbs.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 24, 2021, 01:36:16 pm

looks good :)

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on April 24, 2021, 02:29:59 pm

Thanks, Brad.  So far so good, I gave it a couple short draw shots and it is real quiet.  No twang whatsoever.  So, time to get her all the way out.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: bradsmith2010 on April 24, 2021, 03:46:19 pm

sinew bows do have a different feel, and quite too,, that one is gonna shoot great..

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: burchett.donald on April 24, 2021, 04:25:55 pm

   Nice looking sinewed bendy! Really nice work Parnell
                                                                                  Don

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Will B on April 24, 2021, 04:44:46 pm

That’s looking really nice!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on April 24, 2021, 07:06:56 pm

Thanks guys.  Yeah, she is smelling good for the turn out, I think.  I have some unusual finish work plans.  Looking forward to doing something new.  We will see how she holds!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: Parnell on May 15, 2021, 06:13:05 pm

Out to 28”.  Seems a little irregular with the top limb having the minor kink but the bow is holding 2” of reflex after shooting it in.  Time for some finish work.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works
Post by: burchett.donald on May 16, 2021, 06:45:15 pm

  That one's quick Parnell...Love those stiff outers barely bending in the handle...Nice profile and looks like the sinew is working on that one...
                                    Don

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on June 28, 2021, 06:02:20 pm

Pulling 56#@28”.  It slings an arrow well with a nice even draw that doesn’t stack out. 

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on June 28, 2021, 06:07:20 pm

Couple more.  I stained the rawhide over the sinew with coffee.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on June 28, 2021, 06:11:15 pm

Also, I’m leaving it rough and finished it with just beeswax rubbed on.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: RyanY on June 28, 2021, 06:16:53 pm

Looks great! Glad to see this one finished.

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on June 28, 2021, 06:28:20 pm

Me too, Ryan.  Time to move on!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Pat B on June 28, 2021, 07:56:50 pm

Nice sinew backed bow, Steve.  :OK 

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Stixnstones on June 28, 2021, 08:00:26 pm

 Cool lil bow, love that profile...

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: H Rhodes on June 29, 2021, 08:20:40 am

Nice work!  That’s a serious hunting bow. (-_)

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Don W on June 29, 2021, 08:52:11 am

Coffee stained rawhide. Why didn't I think of that? Something new I need to try! Nice work all around!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: JW_Halverson on June 30, 2021, 11:18:24 am

That dog WILL hunt!

Title: Re: 59” Osage in the works…calling it finished
Post by: Parnell on June 30, 2021, 03:39:00 pm

Thanks, guys.