Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Threy Cameron on November 07, 2025, 03:18:45 am

Title: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow 57lb @ 26"
Post by: Threy Cameron on November 07, 2025, 03:18:45 am
Hey everyone!

Completed that Sudbury style bow I briefly displayed in my last post. Found a remarkable difference between the heat treat by heat gun vs coals, I found the coals did a much better job at penetrating further into the wood. This could be due to a number of factors perhaps my heat gun isn't up to task or the more radiant heat from the coals over 3 hours slowly baked the wood rather than pinpoint hardened areas?

The bow isn't exact to the original merely inspired by its shape and design. The bow finished out at 57lb @ 26" of draw being 68 1/2" long 2" wide at the midlimb tapering to 3/4" nocks, 1" wide in the handle.  The bows currently holding at zero set after 100 shots, I believe this is due to the relatively short draw and heat treating the bows blank after floor tillering rather than after finishing. As I've read elsewhere its easier to prevent set rather than try to correct it.

The bows a great shooter with good early draw tension and a near shockless release, quite a remarkable design and a very aesthetic one too.


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54905901807_97298aa0de_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDR6Hr)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907025604_b68a3ba2d4_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDWRMf)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907000248_e1e0daef98_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDWJf5)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907024934_f1d320cb90_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDWRzG)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907086795_97bd7ea14e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDXaYg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907412824_75b7dd0c55_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDYQTs)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54905902887_8b8c0b635e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDR734)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907339253_5841635961_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDYt1Z)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54906246532_9c80d04624_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDSSbY)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54907428790_8e330febd8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rDYVCJ)
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow
Post by: Del the cat on November 07, 2025, 06:32:59 am
Nice work, clean, simple, not overstressed, just what you'd want out hunting.
Del
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow
Post by: GlisGlis on November 07, 2025, 09:53:13 am
very nice
less is more  :OK
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow
Post by: bentstick54 on November 07, 2025, 11:33:07 am
Very nicely done.
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow
Post by: RyanY on November 07, 2025, 12:28:03 pm
Very nice. Reminds me of pictures from the PaleoPlanet Pasadena gatherings way back.
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow
Post by: willie on November 07, 2025, 03:26:48 pm
Completed that Sudbury style bow I briefly displayed in my last post. Found a remarkable difference between the heat treat by heat gun vs coals, I found the coals did a much better job at penetrating further into the wood. This could be due to a number of factors perhaps my heat gun isn't up to task or the more radiant heat from the coals over 3 hours slowly baked the wood rather than pinpoint hardened areas?



that looked to be a nice red oak board you used. maybe a lot different from whats commonly available in North America. possibly not as dry to begin with?

Beautiful work on that bow
Title: Re: Sudbury Style Oak Board Bow 57lb @ 26"
Post by: Hamish on November 07, 2025, 06:35:01 pm
Textbook example of a Sudbury. Hard to beat those organic shapes, smoothly blending into each other.