Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jim Davis on March 08, 2026, 10:31:58 pm
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I cut a 6" hornbeam tree a year or three ago. Just got around to making a bow out of it. I had made bows of hop hornbeam, but never one from "muscle wood."
This one is 64" ntn, 2" wide at the fades, about 3/8" wide at the tips, straight taper from fades to tips. Draw weight is 42# at 28". Handle is 4" non-bending.
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Couple more
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Resending this one. Hope it's not distorted like the first.
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Nice bow Jim. How easy is that wood to work
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I t seems about as hard as hickory, but I sawed it out with a band saw and did l most of the sanding on a belt sander. Hand work was mostly rasping the handle shape.
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Don't think I've ever seen a hornbeam bow before. I was given a stave many years ago but don't remember what happe4ned to it.
You did a great job with this cool bow, Jim. Tiller looks perfect. :OK
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Very cool character in this bow. It’s got some dips and hills to it for sure. Makes for a challenging bow. Well done.
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Oh, that is cool! How does it shoot?
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Great looking bow, love the gnarly back. Tiller looks great.
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Oh, that is cool! How does it shoot?
Bow has medium speed as near as I can tell, smooth draw, no remarkable hand shock. I'd hunt with it. It's big appeal, I guess, is the look of the back. Makes it seem surprising that it shoots like any other self bow. I'm happy with the outcome.
Thanks to all for looking and commenting.
Biggest thing I notice in the pictures is that over the years I have developed a very hunched over stance. 8-(
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Certainly a lot of character on that back Jim.
Nice job coaxing that bend out of it.
Bjrogg
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JD, that’s an outstanding bow and everything about it, I would have passed that stave up, I need to stop and take a second look next time, my hats off to you!
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Wow! Amazing bow.
I can see why it's called muscle wood, it looks like flayed anatomical muscle.
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Nice job Jim, love them character bow and did that one justice. Maybe see it live at the Classic. :)
Pappy
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That's a fantastic bow! I've been wanting to cut a couple staves while I'm down south and this just tipped the scales.
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I made quiet a few bows from that wood over the years. Some held up on the back , and some didn't. Never had belly frets, and takes heat really well, and is easy to shape on a form. The back can be iffy, so to solve that problem for me I decrown them, and sinew back them. Excellent looking character bow. I hope it holds up for you,
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Awesome bow. Love seeing ones like these. Hornbeam is some tough stuff!
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Yes, that is a cool bow!