Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Marc St Louis on February 22, 2026, 03:27:32 pm

Title: 150# recurve
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 22, 2026, 03:27:32 pm

I talked about such a bow about 10 years ago http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,54972.msg746709.html#msg746709. At the time I wasn't interested in making it but I did get around to building one, after the guy couldn't find anyone to make it for him, but never got around to posting pictures.  There is no full draw image but here are a couple pictures

(https://i.imgur.com/XeQ3cAA.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/PPC4lvu.jpg)

The bow was 150# @ 30" and made out HHB backed with Maple.  It was a "crazy" build and not something I would recommend.  The string tension at brace was nuts.  Here is a picture as I was tillering it drawn to 29"

(https://i.imgur.com/dADOaQo.jpg)

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Selfbowman on February 22, 2026, 03:53:10 pm

Fantastic build! I hate building heavy bows! I can’t pull them back, strain myself stringing them and not knowing where to start on tiller. I have some draw weights written on my tillering board for a hundred pound long bow from one I’ve made but still not a lot of fun.

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Badger on February 22, 2026, 04:10:05 pm

Wow! Have you gotten any reports back on the bow?

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 22, 2026, 04:49:34 pm

Yes heavy bows are not pleasant to build

No never heard back from him after I sent it to him

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: bjrogg on February 22, 2026, 05:00:38 pm

Thanks for sharing Marc. Your bends always look perfect. I would love to have one of your bows , but not that one.lol  I’m sure that was a struggle to get to first brace. And second, third, ect.

Really good to see your work again. Always gives me something to aim for.

Bjrogg

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: superdav95 on February 22, 2026, 05:21:24 pm

Ya that’s crazy nice.  Not that I could shoot it either but it looks very well made for certain.  A special stringer is a must to get this beast strung up.  Looks like a great bow for flight record maybe.  Good to see your bows here. 

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Pappy on February 22, 2026, 06:39:13 pm

Very nice work Marc, glad I don't have to do the testing and shooting it in though. :) :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: RyanY on February 22, 2026, 07:07:09 pm

What a beast! Looks so similar to the bows you make in that style. How long was it and how wide were the limbs?

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Robert Pougnier on February 22, 2026, 08:53:04 pm

Wow that is serious. I can't imagine how fast that would shoot with the right arrow and the incredible hulk to pull the bow!

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: sleek on February 22, 2026, 11:10:32 pm

Goodness, how much set did it take? Do you remember its dimensions, id like to build a replica of it for flight.

Title: Re: 150# recurve
Post by: Tuomo on February 23, 2026, 05:50:32 am

Nice bow!

The interesting part is the backing. Why maple instead of hickory or bamboo? What species did you use, and what kind of backing slat – sugar maple, a single growth ring, or something else?