Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bow of the Month Contest => Topic started by: OldBow on February 05, 2009, 12:30:34 pm

Title: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: OldBow on February 05, 2009, 12:30:34 pm
Congratulations to Greg Bagwell of Clarksville, Tennessee
His Dogwood "Blossum" Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,10725.0.html
From Greg: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!
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!
Forum members were impressed with the artcraft not to mention the fine tiller.-"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." -ricktrojanowski
-"Greg-Wow!!   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. " -Hillbilly

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Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: DanaM on February 05, 2009, 12:31:17 pm
Congrats Greg
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Jesse on February 05, 2009, 12:42:21 pm
Congratulations! Greg. like I said before I knew it would win when you first posted it. Well done :)
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: RidgeRunner on February 05, 2009, 12:49:00 pm
Way to go Greg. 
Well deserved win.  But choosing was tough.  It always is.

David
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: John K on February 05, 2009, 12:51:28 pm
Very deserving win Greg ! Congrats !!
JohnK
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Cooper on February 05, 2009, 12:55:25 pm
I said this bow has something very special and this is the proof.
Congratulations Greg, an absolutely deserved win.
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Gordon on February 05, 2009, 12:55:45 pm
Well done Greg. Congratulations!
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: leapingbare on February 05, 2009, 12:57:49 pm
oh yea..  Glade to see you win it friend, very very well made bow!
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Dustybaer on February 05, 2009, 01:34:11 pm
congrats.  see i didn't rank you to high  ;D
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Okie on February 05, 2009, 01:39:42 pm
Congratulations Greg. That's a fine bow.


John
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: GregB on February 05, 2009, 02:28:35 pm
Thanks everyone! Definitely an honor to have my bow selected from among so many well deserving bows. I really appreciate it and only wish there could be a 1st place tie between all the selfbow entry's this month! I plan to stick around and continue to learn from all of you! Thanks again!

Greg
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: D. Tiller on February 05, 2009, 02:31:12 pm
Congrats!
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: hawkbow on February 05, 2009, 03:22:11 pm
well done brother, fine bow and a well deserved win..Hawk
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Ryano on February 05, 2009, 04:28:38 pm
Congrats Greg ! Couldn't happen to a nicer Guy!  ;D
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: david w. on February 05, 2009, 07:19:40 pm
Great bow!!
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: whitewoodshunter on February 05, 2009, 07:56:30 pm
GREAT BOW AND A GREAT WIN!!!!!
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: AKAPK on February 05, 2009, 09:21:08 pm
I do say that is A wonderful Bow :)
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Big A on February 05, 2009, 10:40:38 pm
Great job Greg. 8)
Big A
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Brother Dan on February 06, 2009, 02:53:53 am
Way to go Greg, well deserved, see all that time you put into that bow really payed off. I think you son should have a booth at the classic, painting pictures on bows. I would be first in line for that. I guess you'll be having autografting sessions now, like Pappy.  Congrads again.   Brother Dan
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Ranger B on February 06, 2009, 05:02:55 am
Some beautiful bows were made in the month of January 2009.  Congratualtions on your win with a beautiful Tennessee Dogwood.  I knew when you began on that tree it was destined greatness.  Well done my friend.  - Jimmy
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Pappy on February 06, 2009, 05:37:05 am
Beautiful bow Greg,Congrats on the win,well deserved.  :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: GregB on February 06, 2009, 08:33:57 am
Thank you everyone! I have mixed feelings on this recognition because I know what it is like to put a lot of time and effort, and even a little of yourself into a bow. Then to place your bow to be judged among other bows made by folks just as skilled, dedicated and hopeful that theirs will be selected for this honor, can be a let down. I don't know why I'm mentioning this other then I feel bad for some folks that may have never won BOM before and they really had a great bow. I think there were several in this months voting that might fall into this category. Although my bow performs really well, it very well could be that others in this months contest perform even better...mine may have had some more unique cosmetic aspects that when only being able to judge by pictures, won some votes. I just want everyone to know that although mine may have ended up with the most votes, I think there were quite a few just as deserving bows this month...
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: RG on February 06, 2009, 08:41:21 am
Congrats Greg Great job

Ron
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: BearG on February 06, 2009, 01:05:28 pm
Cant wait to see it in person look fine 8)
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: whitewoodshunter on February 06, 2009, 08:49:12 pm
Greg, that was a very honorable thing to say. But your bow is still awesome.
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: CHA-CHING on February 08, 2009, 11:22:07 am
Greg, Yup You Da Man, nice job on the grip also.
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: medicinewheel on February 08, 2009, 01:50:05 pm

very nice, very nice!
nothing else to say about this bow!
well deserved win!!!
f.
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: The Singing Bowyer on February 08, 2009, 04:35:35 pm
She really is a beauty! Excellent job, Greg! ;)
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Hillbilly on February 09, 2009, 01:58:58 pm
Greg, congratulations. That's one of the coolest bows I've seen in a long time-I'm proud to have a few flint granules stuck to it. :)
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: uwe on February 09, 2009, 03:38:59 pm
Aweful bow!
Regards Uwe
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 13, 2009, 08:41:23 pm
I'm not surprised.  A fine bow
Title: Re: Greg Bagwell's Dogwood Bow is January Self Bow of the Month
Post by: ber643 on February 18, 2009, 09:43:29 am
I was way off base on this one, though i certainly saw winner status in all of them and congratulat Greg on his well deserved win.  I just went wandering off on a stump shoot by myself I guess - LOL. I was still very happy about my choice - even though i was the only one who voted for it - I noticed there were others that apparently did the same thing too - LOL. Congrats to all entrants for the fine bow work you enjoyed though.

As usual i am running way behind with getting pics on my Full Draw pages But I will do it shortly. Have been very engrossed lately in a 9 vol. series of historical novels by Jack Whyte , about the Arthurian time period (lots of Yew ELB mentions in there too). Pics will be at bottom of Page 19 of the TBD pages of my web site.

..................................................

Would you believe I got it done today? LOL

http://residents.bowhunting.net/bsdunn/tbd19.htm