Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 02:44:57 am

Title: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 02:44:57 am
    I received a jewel of a bow from Michael Allridge, M2A... This 60" bendy is wonderfully scalloped and has a full length heartwood belly...The back is flawless sapwood, no knots or imperfections...

Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 02:49:42 am
   The handle had a saddle that came from a natural bend in the stave that Mike utilized in the build...Handle is covered with snake skin and Coyote rawhide...
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 02:55:49 am
  My camera and photography skills, lol, didn't do the stain job justice, but how beautiful in person!

  Mike used Bloodroot for the Orange, Barberry for the Yellow, Black Walnut hulls for the Brown at the handle and tips and Copper Chelate for the beautiful Blue/Green...
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 02:59:14 am
    This bow shoots dead in my hand with a clean quick thump...Really "Balanced"....Mike knows how to bend some wood!
 I should add that I have shot over 300 arrows this week and leaving it strung for several hours it is retaining it's reflex nicely...

       Here's a few profile pics...

                           
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 03:05:43 am
     Mike,
             The nocks, scallops, stain and profiles are all excellent man... I wish everybody could see and shoot this in person...
 Mike, thank you for a wonderful bow man...! This one just replaced my old hunting bow in my kit and hopefully hunt this Fall...
                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                            Don
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: bjrogg on March 15, 2021, 06:21:06 am
Very nice. I agree. Mike does know how to make a bow bend.

I’m sure you will like that one for a long time Don.

Bjrogg
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Bob Barnes on March 15, 2021, 08:15:29 am
very cool...beautiful bend and detail work.   :OK  What was the purpose of the scallops on the original bows?
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Will B on March 15, 2021, 08:55:26 am
Beautiful bow!  Should make you a great hunting bow. Congrats
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 15, 2021, 09:55:05 am
   Thanks guys, Bob the scallops are decorative as far as I know...
                                                                                                  Don







Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: PaSteve on March 15, 2021, 06:50:35 pm
That's a great looking bow all around!
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: NonBacked on March 15, 2021, 07:56:05 pm
That’s a SPECIAL Bow! Any Indian would be proud to carry that one!
H
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 15, 2021, 10:15:28 pm
beautiful congrats,, :)
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Bob Barnes on March 15, 2021, 10:39:18 pm
thanks Don...and it does look cool, so I'd say it works as planned...  :OK
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: simk on March 16, 2021, 04:38:25 am
love it! every detail a piece of art  (-S
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 16, 2021, 04:43:19 am
Thanks for all the fine comments fellas, Mike put heart and soul into this build...
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: M2A on March 16, 2021, 06:22:37 am
Cool Pictures Don! I have a lot of respect for the work I have seen from you over the years, true primitive equipment in my book. Just look at that quiver and bow case! Awesome stuff! Its a lot of fun for me to work on those scalloped bows and happy to get it to you cause I know its in the right hands. That small saddle in the handle sure makes it feel good in the hand. Have the same thing going on with the one I'm finishing up now. Hope you can get out there this fall and hope it hunts well for you.

Mr. Barns, I have tried to look into the purpose with my limited research abilities. Couple theories but it's more speculation than anything. Doubt anyone will ever know for certain. "looks cool" is the perfect answer as far as I can figure.

Thanks guys, Mike     

     
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 16, 2021, 09:10:26 am
   The scallops have been discussed and asked about many times here and I have my own thoughts...Like Mike said no one really knows, but my guess would be decoration, status or maybe ceremonial...I could see it being used as camouflage also hiding your eyes on the ground peeking through the hanging feathers...Clear eye contact with a Whitetail and we have a nervous situation, been there before more than once...NA really liked flamboyant creations full of color and show...I think it is the most romantic Woodland design...
                                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                              Don
                                                                                                           





Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Pappy on March 16, 2021, 09:11:23 am
Beautiful bow, very nice work. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: backtowood B2W on March 18, 2021, 03:57:58 am
love the look of this bow.
if I can find a stave which allows to do this scallops - I will definitely give it a try.
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: JW_Halverson on March 18, 2021, 11:10:27 am
Since the passing of HalfEye (Rich Rousseau), there have been far too few traditional scalloped bows being posted.

Thank you for not only a great bow, but for bringing to mind a good friend of ours gone too soon.
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Russ on March 18, 2021, 11:59:06 am
What’s a scalloped bow? I’m very confused.
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Fox on March 18, 2021, 01:39:07 pm
Russel...  check out the picture posted for tbb... the things the feathers are tied to, the ridges that come off the side of the bow. They are scallops
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: TimBo on March 18, 2021, 01:39:43 pm
"Scalloped" refers to the saw-tooth shapes on the edge.  Sort of like scalloped potatoes...
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Bob Barnes on March 19, 2021, 12:32:26 am
   burchett.donald~ thank you for the great picture and information...the feathers are a super cool addition.  How are they attached?  What do you think might have happened to the feathers when the bow was actually shot?  It seems like they would be subject to lots of abuse...?  They are definitely beautiful/artful bows.
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: M2A on March 19, 2021, 12:59:26 am
Hope what Fox and Timbo wrote made sense to ya Deerhunter. Variable styles of "scalloped" bows are documented From many woodland cultures.

I'd like to see what you can do B2W with that kinda design. Much easier with a very good save as you may expect. Hit me up if you have any questions. I'll help ya best I can.

I like that camo theory Don, I could see that. Of course I never been busted by a whitetail ::) lol

Thanks for all the kind words fellas!  Hope to spend some time working on arrows but I'll have to dig out another proper stave soon and have another go at this style soon.
Mike       
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 20, 2021, 11:24:42 pm
Bob, Glad your interested...I would use sinew thread myself, seems to be the toughest stuff the almighty has created... The feathers would take abuse but think about how much a fletched arrow is abused and still looks likes new 500 shots later? I think the feathers would outlast the bow...Maybe it silenced the bow? I am leaning towards decoration but then again these were shooters!...I can see myself tying on Spanish moss and hiding in the brush, but that is from a hunter’s perspective..Don
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: Hawkdancer on March 21, 2021, 03:38:49 pm
It appears the scallops are opposite the arrow pass, correct?  Looks cool, silencing, and camo are all  all good opinions
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: burchett.donald on March 21, 2021, 09:52:03 pm
That’s correct Jerry, at least the 2 that I have here and the one’s I have seen in pictures...I guess you could shoot off either side though...Don
Title: Re: Eastern Woodland Scalloped Hickory
Post by: M2A on March 21, 2021, 11:39:14 pm
I think the scallops could go on either side or both depending on cultural or individual preference. One I can think of has them on opposite sides for top an bottom limbs.  The bow in the picture above looks like it may have been shot from the scalloped side, looks like a brass tack(?) may be in place for an arrow pass. With the couple single sided scalloped bows I have made I Put them on the opposite side to limit any distraction and for better visibility to the target. Almost made up some dogbane cordage to hang feathers from this one :) Maybe the next one...got to have fun ;D