Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bjrogg on December 01, 2025, 02:20:09 pm
-
It’s been way too long since I have been able to work on my own projects.
I haven’t worked on a bow since my trip to visit Arvin last February.
On my trip I stopped by DVS Hunters for a quick visit. I really like Dave. He is definitely one of the good guys in the primitive archery world. I always enjoy seeing him.
He wouldn’t let me leave without taking several gifts home. I told him I didn’t have much extra room so anything I took had to be pretty compact.
One of the things he gave me was a short but very nice Osage stave.
I thought it looked like a good candidate for a belly split. It was. Split really nice and I chased the ring I was aiming for on the belly split.
Not done yet but I have a plan for both of the staves now. I call them my “brother staves”. Most people would probably call them sister staves but Dave feels more like a brother.
I was thinking that the belly split might make a nice short hunting bow for me.
Even though it is only 47” ntn I wanted to make it a stiff handle with a shelf that was close to center shot.
Still need to finish it up but I have it to 55 lbs at 20” draw. Shoots nice and I can seem to hit what I’m looking at. I probably will still take a few lbs off, but it’s coming along. I can still draw 55 lbs but not very comfortably.
Figured I’d post a few pictures.
Unbraced is right after shooting
It’s been awhile
Bjrogg
-
Nice work. I love a short bow, lots of fun to make and to shoot.
-
Yep - Dave is a good guy, really helped me out at MOJAM.
Aren't Dave and Arvin in opposite directions MO & PA? That must have been a nice trip.
That is going to be a cool little bow.
-
Looking good BJ, looking forward to seeing it finished, Burnsie Arvin is in TX. 😊😉 Pappy
-
Hamish, I enjoy the short ones too. Maybe because I am pretty short myself. My normal draw is only a few inches longer than I’m drawing this one and it seems like I can shoot pretty well at a 20” draw. I can anchor at my chin.
Thanks Burnsie. I’m in the thumb of Michigan. Dave is kinda on the way to Arvin’s for me. I actually took three days traveling to Arvins
I stopped by Bob Barnes in Arkansas to.
Was a good trip. On the way home we stopped in Clarksville to see a high school buddy of mine and meet up with pappy. I was there for the blizzard of 25. Really enjoyed our trip.
Thanks pappy. I would say it shouldn’t take long to finish it up, but I tend to shoot them awhile before I finish them.
Bjrogg
-
Nice work BJ. Always loved seeing your bows at the Marshall Rendezvous.
-
Nice work BJ. Always loved seeing your bows at the Marshall Rendezvous.
Thanks Ryan. Man I really miss that meet. I wonder what they would do if we all showed up there and started building bows? Sure was a nice spot for us.
-
Such a shame they didn’t want to host anymore. Maybe one day we can start another primitive skills rendezvous in Michigan.
-
Great to see you finding some time finally for making some shavings again. Really sweet looking short bow.
-
Nice.
-
Great to see you finding some time finally for making some shavings again. Really sweet looking short bow.
Thanks Brian. Like Arvin said in a different thread. You find time for the things you love. I love farming and I love making selfbows. Finished up with the farming. Time to make some shavings.
Bjrogg
-
Thanks Bassman I appreciate your kind words.
Bjrogg
-
Nice bow, Brian. Bet it feels good getting back to making shavings.
-
Looks like a punchy little bow :)
Del
-
Thanks Pat it really does.
Almost forgot how good it feels to bring a piece of wood back to life again.
Bjrogg
-
It’s a thumper right now Del. I don’t know if it will hold up or take a lot of set. That’s probably the big question. I think it is pretty stressed, but so far it is holding up okay.
Bjrogg
-
Welcome back BJ. Dave is definitely a good to have for a younger brother. It was great meeting you as well. That bow just needs a little weight taken off and hunted. I know that you will do both well. Stay warm. :OK
-
Thanks Bob. Was great meeting you and shooting with you in your pole barn. Nice setup for sure.
Dave is a good younger brother. If I was a youngster, he’d probably be an even better older brother.
Lots of good people here. And lots I would love to see come back again.
Bjrogg
-
Very nice short bow BJ. You always amaze me on your tillering. I enjoyed your visit last winter.
-
Very nice short bow BJ. You always amaze me on your tillering. I enjoyed your visit last winter.
Thank you Arvin. I think that’s the nicest compliment anyone has ever given me.
It’s probably because we both see the same thing. Right or wrong lol. Your not to bad yourself.
I did very much enjoy our visit. Was really good to meet you.
Bjrogg
-
I feel ya BJ! Since moving out west I haven’t had a moment to work on a bow unfortunately and I’m feeling it! It’s been like a void that I knew was the lack of shop time working on any number of bow projects. All my projects are on hold till I get the new house in order and my new shop set up.
Nothing like motivation I guess. Glad you are back at it bj. Always loved seeing your work! Should be a good hunting bow there.
-
Thanks Dave.
I do find that a little time away does tend to make the time we get more valuable.
As they say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Sometimes people don’t come back.
If you love something set it free. If it comes back it is true love.
I’m betting you will be back and inspired when the time is right
Good luck getting settled in.
Man I’m glad I don’t have to move again. It was hard enough when I only had a fraction of the stuff I have accumulated
Bjrogg