Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: GregB on January 13, 2009, 09:00:52 pm
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I just completed this bow I named Blossom since the first of the year. I've got more hours in this bow then any I've made so far. I tried to incorporate as much "Mojo" into it as I could! ;D
The wood Dogwood, my first bow from Dogwood, and it is 65" ntn, 1-1/2" width at fades to midlimb, down to about 7/16" tips. The tips are larger then I normally leave them, but I wanted to retain the looks of the natural bumpy surface as much as possible. The bow pulls 55 lbs @ 27". I laid this bow out differently then I normally do by making the top limb 1-1/2" longer then the bottom and tillering the limbs even with each other.
The dogwood was cut off of my property just a couple of days prior to the 2007 Classic. The tips are eye-guards from a buck BigA took in years past. I tried to purposely have the tips hook up by using some of the main beam for the glue-joint surface to attach to the limbs. While he was at Pappy's on a hunting trip, I asked Sawfiler to cut the string grooves into one of the tips after I had first glued them in place. I've admired how Shannon does his bow tips, and liked the idea of his having something to do with this bow. I basically told him I wanted to leave some of the brown knarley part of the horn in place. I shaped the other tip to match from his example. I stained the back of the bow black walnut, while the rest of the bow is stained with red mahogany. PatB donated a bow to the 2008 Classic that I admired, and I especially liked the texture of the finish. He had ground up wood coals and mixed them in with bear grease for sealing. I liked the texture of Pat's bow, and wanted to do something similar yet different. I finally hit on the idea of grinding flint flakes left over from all the folks flintknapping during the 2008 Classic into pieces about the size of a grain of salt and using these on the bow's back. This process took a LONG time to accomplish! Leapingbare, Cowboy, robustus, Hillbilly, mullet, Sawfiler, RidgeRunner, DTiller, Dingleberry...just to name a few of the flintknappers whose left over flakes I used. I sprinkled these grains of flint onto a wet coat of Truoil and let them dry in place. I then put probably a dozen or more coats on top of the flint before I finished, leaving a bumpy texture with some color that expecially shows up in good sunlight. My youngest son Jamison painted on the dogwood blossom on the belly of the bow and I did the writing...he's a talented artist I think! The grip is from beaver tail and I decided to leave it the natural color. Hawk had sent me a book on lacing back last year and I used it for the lacing direction, and I might mention that those lacing needles fit the bill as well! The arrow head is authentic, and I found it in my parents garden over 30 years ago when I was a teenager. I can't believe I never loss it during that time...maybe so I could use it on this bow? The point is attached using dogbane string which Leapingbare taught me how to make. I made a couple of osage beads to adorn it. The final 1/2 dozen coats of sealer are polyurethane clear satin. The bow really flings my cane arrows with authority, where you look, and is smooth and balanced in the hand. It relaxes back to straight after 30 minutes or so from shooting. I hope yall like this dogwood mojobow as much as I do! ;)
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More pictures... :)
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cool bow
love the back and the tips
but wheres the full draw pic?
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Thanks Sailordad, you were to quick to reply...take another look! ;)
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Man that is one AWESOME bow. I love the nocks and grip. Your son did a beautiful job on the blossom painting. What an artist. That bow is a piece of art. Great job, very impressive work.
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Greg-Wow!! :o That's one of the most impressive bows I've seen in a long time. Tiller looks great- mighty fine looking bow without the added eye candy, but the detail work is just awesome. Love those tips (have you noticed they look like a deer track from the rear view? ) The handle lacing looks great, hell, everything looks great. Tell your son that his artwork is awesome. I've got a dogwood bow almost finished myself, first one for me too. If it turns out half as nice as yours I'd be really happy. (Except you beat me to the painting a dogwood blossom on it idea, durnit.) Oh, did I mention that I like your bow? :) I'm proud to have some of my debris glued to it. 8)
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Thank you Rick and Hillbilly, that means a whole lot coming from you guys. This is my favorite bow I've made to this point, I guess that's why I put the arrow head on it...which means a lot to me!
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Awesome bow Greg. Love everything on it. The best one posted in a long time. I hope you win Bom with that one. That's saying a lot seeing the competition. ;)
Cant wait to see it in person at the classic.
Jesse
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WOW!!! That is "Blooming" AWESOME!!!
Talk about mojo...Look up mojo and you'll find a picture of that bow!
Really an awesome job Greg. I'm proud to have been just a tiny part in creating it. ;D
And for all who read this. It's not just pretty...it's shoots good too. 8)
Saw Filer
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I came back for a second look.
Man, that is "speck" tacular ;D
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Man that's a cool bow Greg! looks great.
Alan
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Great job Greg great looking bow and great story with it and I watched you grind the flint
Ron
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Wow, Very nice. Great ideas, great story and great bow.
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That is Totally Cool, really like the handle design.PK
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Cool bow Greg. Everything about it, cool!!! 8) I also have a dogwood stave ready to start. It will be my first.
Tell your son his painted flower is great. Pat
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You and your Son are truly gifted!!
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Beautiful bow Greg,that turned out great,no wonder it took so long. :)
Pappy
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absolutely fantastic !!
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You guys don't know how much your comments mean to me! I told my wife last night after posting the bow that I really hoped people liked it, because if they didn't I'm going to have a tough time trying to do better on the next one. Again, thank you so much for the nice comments! :)
P.S. I told my son Jamison last night when there were only just a couple of replys that he had already got some very positive comments on his painting...he was grinning from ear to ear! ;)
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Outstanding bow Greg. The attention to detail shows how much thought you put into this bow. The tips, and handle are really unique. Your son's artwork adds a beautiful final touch.
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Congratulations! The bow is really beautiful and the artwork is stunning! :) Jawge
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Thank you Cheapshot and Jawge, I really appreciate it! :) I'll have to get Jamison to read some of the comments on his painting, maybe it will help persuade him to paint more outdoor/wildlife stuff...that would be cool! ;)
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Greg, what an awesome project. You put a great deal of thought and effort into this bow and it paid off. Great in all aspects. Rough yet elegant. Beautiful artwork on the handle, tips, and the blossom. I like the participation of others in the project also. Now, I think I deserve a bottle of your good wine after all of these compliments!! Great job. I love this bow.
Dan
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Pretty bow there Greg. Time well spent. Justin
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Very creative and artistic in every aspect. Your son's portrayal of the blossom is fantastic. Like knightd said, your both gifted. This is one of those that will stick in my mind for a long time, Great Job! It sure would look good resting on top of a big ole gobbler ;)
Tracy
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Thank you Dan, I'll try my best to save one of the few bottles I have left for you! ;)
Thank you Justin, and congratulations again on you BOY...great job on that bow and well deserving of the honor!
Thanks Tracy, that would be quite a trophy taking a gobbler with a selfbow.
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Wow, what a great story behind that bow. I love how so many folks contributed. She turned out really sweet.
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Very nice bow Greg lots of creativity went into this bow, your son did a fine job on the painting.
I do have one question though Can you sharpen a broad knife or broadhead on the back of it ;) :D
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Great looking bow! And that flower was extremely well done too!
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This is one impressive bow. Not only is it excellently tillered but details like the tips and handle show real artistry. Not many can do lacing like Greg did on the handle. Quite the January Self Bow of the Month candidate.
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would like to see that beautiful medicine bow with some freshelk blood on her ;D ;D great craftsmenship brother... truly remarkable! Hawk a/ho
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simply outstanding! love the antler tips, handle, artwork.....everything!
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Greg your blossom is art in motion,a functioning beauty I say!This bow ,I think reflects the kinda person you are,and how can ya top that? Too cool.
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Love the grip work Greg. The art works nice also! Great job.
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Greg, she surely is a beauty, and way to get your son involved, but I got to ask.....Did any of that Johnstone get in there? Thats the last thing I seen em knappin in the pit... :D......Brian
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Well done Greg,
she is a thing of beauty that's for sure. I love the tips.
I'll be thinking of it when the dog woods start to blossom soon.
come on spring.
love the painting too
cheers,
Jamie
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Thank you everyone! Gordon, thanks and congrats again on you BOY win with your beautiful bow!
Thanks Auggie, the feelings mutual with you guys! Koan, I might have some of that Johnstone in there...an opportunity for another sense besides just visual to come into to place...what's that smell! ;D
Thanks Hawk, that would be the plan...I think some blood stain would compliment the bow for sure and add to its "mojo"! ;)
Dana, it also doubles as a good back scratcher... as long as it doesn't bring blood that is! :)
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Well I am glad I didn't give up on trying to register....beautiful bow! Loved the texture of the wood and the bow tips. Very interesting write up and story. We were both impressed with the arrowhead on the bow and the 30 year memory. Jamison is indeed a fine artist, you should let him do the lettering next time...hint. Also thought the shots of the bow in natural vegetation were excellent and very professional! Neal would love to see this bow, you should email him. Thanks for asking us to look at it! Don't know who the older, little overweight archer model with the gray streaks in his hair is in the last picture but he did a nice job :-)
Mojo's brother-in-law
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Man those tips are just beautiful...
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Thanks Nils's! Maybe Jamison could be inspired by your Uncle Frank's paintings sometime if he gets the chance to come up and visit. He's been more then hinting to come visit yall again...gotta love that Maine coastline! ;)
Thank you Josh! My friend Shannon deserves at least half the credit with the results of the tips...maybe a little more then half. :)
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Hey Greg, I can see why that Blossom bow is your favorite now. The whole bow is sure knarly. That could of been a good name for her. Can I fling a few with her in the spring?? I'm in luv I think with her. Tell your son the blossom looks real and your pics are great.
Tommy Two Arrows
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Thanks Tommy, I'll tell him. If you come to the Classic, look me up and you can shoot it as long as you're not 7'-6" with a 30+" draw. ;D
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Wow Greg that is a true bar raiser. One of the most unique bows that I've seen in a long time. Great story and excellent package all the way around. The tips are awesome and the handle wrap one of the nicest that I've seen. The authentic arrowhead to connect the past with the present makes it a truly special bow. Congratulations. Keenan
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Just thought I would add my WOW to all the WOWS!Sweet looking bow love all of it,Thanks for sharing Hammertime
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Greg, just too cool. Ditto what every one else has said about this fine bow. I thought maybe you were making a dogbane string for it just to match the arrow head holding string. ( just joking ) Again, very nice job and especially like the grip. Kenneth
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wow! Greg. How did I miss this fine bow? that is one of the sweetest looking bows I've seen. I have a Pacific Dogwood I got in a trade 9 years ago from OT on PP I've been piddlin' with off and on. I think I'll bring it to the Classic and finish it. And I don't think it's too early to get in line for BOY.
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What do they call that on the Grip, Argentine? like makin a whip, I need to learn how to do that.
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A fascinating bow. It has something very special, definitely.
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Thank you everyone for the kind comments and I'm so glad yall like it!
Thank you Keenan, your bows are always what I consider pieces of art and are very inspiring. :)
Thanks Hammertime, and Kenneth...not quite ready to make a dogbane string yet, maybe sometime in the future. ;)
Thanks Eddie, and no I didn't wear goggles the first time I shot it to protect my eyes from flying flint! ;D Yeah give that dogwood a try, I think you'll like it!
AKAPK, the lacing along the top is called edge round lacing, and the bottom lacing is I think called Spanish Loop lacing.
Thank you Cooper, it's special to me through the input of others and the arrow head. My parents have passed on and the home and property where I grew up is for sale, that point came off our homeplace and brings up a lot of good memories. :)
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I had the honor of watching this one being built from when you started up until I left for Afghanistan. I thought it to be a one of a kind beauty at that point, but man have you done some incredible finishing work since I saw it last. Greg that is the kind of bow that truly makes bow building such a joy. When you get done and look at the piece of art that began as a tree in your backyard you can smile with great pride. You hit that one out of the park brother.
Jimmy
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Very nice bow Greg. I like the flower :)
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Awsome bow Greg ! I think we have a contender here folks !
Can you tell me how you prepared the Beaver tail, do you skin it and dry it like a snake skin ???
Tell you'r boy he is a great Artist also :)
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Thank you Jimmy, that means a lot coming from you. :)
Thank you Marc! My son review the comments with me yesterday afternoon and I think his head size grew a little to match his fathers expanding head size! ;D
Thanks John! I didn't trap or skin the beaver tails, but they had been salted. It looked like they cut the tail off, split it up one edge from the base of the tail to the end of the tail, then separated it from the meat. Basically you get both the front and back of the tail and the front and back was still connected along one side after skinning. Then I'd say they got scrapped and got rid of any remaining meat, and finally salted the fleshy sides.
I took a wet cloth and wiped most of the salt off prior to laying the pattern out. After the top and bottom lacing was in place and the front lacing loose, I soaked the grip for 30 minutes or so and spread TBIII glue on the handle where the grip goes. Slid the grip over the lower limb, started my lacing and working the grip with my fingers to ensure no crease's were left. After it was laced in front, I took parachute cord and wrapped starting at the top and working my way down butting for a solid wrap...again watching for crease's. This ensures a good snug fit. Placed the handle area over the vent for drying. ;)
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Thanks Greg !
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Greg
That bow turned out great. You did an excellent job on it.
Chuck
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Thank you Chuck, I appreciate it! :)
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I keep looking at this one. That arrow head on there is just too cool.
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… it's special to me through the input of others and the arrow head. My parents have passed on and the home and property where I grew up is for sale, that point came off our homeplace and brings up a lot of good memories. :)
Having such a strong focus on good memories of beloved people and good times is a gift - a selfmade gift in this case (I hope that sounds not to pathetic).
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Thanks Jesse! I have nicer points I could have put on it, but this one is my favorite. :)
I couldn't have said it any better Cooper. ;)
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First time I looked at this bow. All I can say is simply beautiful. You guys and your gorgeous handle wraps. Something I just can't do very well. Thanks for sharing. Dean
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Dean, I really take my time on the handle wraps.
The following is how I lay one out:
Decide how long you want your grip to be.
With a ruler draw a straight line that length on a piece of paper.
Then with a string take several measurements starting at the top and working your way down. I measure so that there is an 1/8" or so gap to the front to allow for stretching of the grip material. Transfer these measurement working down the centerline of your first line depicting the grip length. Of course these circumference lines will be placed on your grip length line at their midpoints. Hope that made sense.
Then connect the lines with whatever natural curve makes sense.
I then cut the paper template out and try it on the bow. I usually fold it along the centerline prior to cutting it out so both edges where the front lacing will be are matched.
Tweak the template if needed, then use it to lay out your grip material.
I don't like a blocky style grip, want one that is comfortable to my hand which means it changes circumference quite a bit from the top of the grip to the bottom. The instructions above help get it pretty close the first time you cut out your material.
Hope that helps! ;)
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that is the most impressive bow i have seen in a very long time. the detail and thought that went into it is astounding. i would really like to see an article in the magazine on that bow with its first harvest, about the hunt and more detail in some of the process of what you di to give that bow its finish. very impressive.
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Very kind remarks armymedic, thank you! Harvesting an animal in my case typically means a whitetail deer. Our 2008 season just closed, so I'd have to wait until Sept. for the earliest opportunity. Hunting with our choice of equipment is not a done deal as I'm sure you know, I had my best year this year with a selfbow...don't know what 2009 has in store.
I've never written an article, but have thought about it...just haven't decided on a topic that hasn't already been covered before. :)
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Greg my high school english teacher always said "write about something that you know about"
I think we all know what your best subject is, all we have to do is look at Page 1 and the first picture
on Pappy's Life Is Good thread ;) :D
Awesome bow Greg maybe you will let me shoot it in May eh :)
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;D I don't really need to teach folks how to eat more...not the healthiest of topic's. ;D
We can each shoot the other's bow's, that's always fun! I remember last year I was shooting one several of Ryan's and a couple of Sawfiler's quite a bit. We were even shooting after dark by floodlight. :)
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Greg,that is a fine bow!!I like all the added,"mojo". Is your arrowhead tied down,or does it move a liittle? Great job,and your son is quite an artist.God Bless
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Greg i have never seen an article about a finish like yours on a bow.
and im not sure where you are but it is only january, gotta be some rabbit and squerril still in season!!! seriuosly though, what you did there on the back of that bow is ground breaking you ask me. would love to see more on it, even if it is just here. the bow deserves to be "showcased" was my point about putting it in an article.
well done again
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I'm really impressed also, what a great symbol of things important to you. Good memories in that bow too.
well done
VB
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goregous, man. the tips.. the painting, everything flows evenly with eachother, one of the nicest ones ive ever seen man. good work, nnot sure if anyone can top that one! ;D -jimmy
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Got the pleasure of shooting it Sat.He let me and King Ron give it whirl,It ant only pretty it shoots like dream,I haven't made a dogwood in a while but I need to rethink that,got a stave just waiting. :)
Pappy
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Pete, the arrow head is secured to a piece of leather using dogbane at two places. The leather itself is only secure at the top next to the grip...enough padding underneath the head that it doesn't make noise when shooting. The beads could make a little noise, but I haven't noticed it.
Thanks Armymedic, VB, and Jimmy! ;) My mother really liked dogwood tree's especially when they were blooming in the spring. I think I knew before I even started this bow that I was going to do the best job I could on it and try to make it special. Having other people involved with it from the flint, the tips, the blossom painting, the dogbane, and adding the arrow head I found from home makes it a special bow to me.
Thanks Pappy...you and Ron both killed that deer target on the first shot with it I recall! ;D
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WOW.. Absolutely beautiful !
Greg when you 1st told me about your flint flake idea a few months ago. i gatta admit i did not think it would tern out. I was wrong. it looks grate.
And i really like your arrowhead idea thats just too cool. I am glade you finally got it finished.
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Thanks Jesse!
I hope you're getting to bang on some rocks every now and then! ;D
Stay safe!
Greg
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A very cool bow! Truly unique. How the heck did I miss this! Very worthy for BOM consideration... well done!!
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Thank you adb, I'm glad you like it!
I thought I'd post a closer picture of my son Jamison's drawing/painting.
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kool bow greg i got to see it 4 the frist time to day what a master pecie with history to but that hard to beat fellows he got my vote
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hey greg! - have not been online a lot lately, almost missed out on this one!
VERY NICE BOW, great tiller, love the details (and the pics)
frank
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Thanks sodbuster and Frank, glad you like it! :)
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That bow i just stunning. Great work, sir!
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Tip of the hat to ya, Greg, very,very nice bow, hope to see you and that bow in a few weeks. Brother Dan
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Thanks Tilbilly! Looking forward to it Brother Dan... ;)
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didn't see this one until the BOM voting started. what a magnificent bow. i've been privileged to not only see your abilities, when it comes to bow building and especially to finishes, but also own the living proof of such skills. with blossom, however, you have outdone yourself. as was said so many times before, i love every detail of it. you are truly a master of this craft, my friend. and i can finally say: i'm the proud owner of an original "GregB" bow, back from the days before he was famous ;D
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Thank you Marius, but you rank me to high in my opinion! I'm still striving to reach the skills of a lot of the bowyers within the PA family. But I do appreciate your comments my friend, and I'm glad you like my bow. :)
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Great, absolutely great