Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on April 20, 2007, 10:40:57 pm
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A year ago a friend, Terry, gave me set of sister yew billets. Even though I had had no experience working with yew I could see that the wood was top rate – high ring count, thin sapwood, and clean. Unfortunately, the billets were cut such that the surface that would form the bow’s back was angled sharply. Over the course of several months I came back to the billets frequently trying to figure out how I could get a self-bow out of them – but I just couldn’t see a way. Recently Terry inquired how I was coming along with the billets. I was a little embarrassed to admit that crafting a bow out of the fabulous wood he gave me had eluded me. I explained why and added that perhaps a more experienced bowyer could accomplish it, but that I would need to back the wood in order to be successful. Terry then graciously offered me a bamboo slat for the job.
I had never made a bamboo backed bow before (or, for that matter, a laminated bow) so I read everything on the process that I could get my hands on. I also ordered Dean Torges’ video and found it quite helpful. Despite my research there were some surprises. Before the glue-up I floor tillered the bow to about 70# which gave me a limb thickness of about 1” at the fades. When I took the bow out of the form it was about as flexible as an iron frying pan. By the time I had finished tillering the bow the thickness of the yew at the fades had been reduced from 1” to ½”. The amount of strength that bamboo adds is simply amazing! I am also pleasantly surprised how snappy the bow is. It seems just as powerful as my glass longbow which has the same weight rating. Did I mention that bamboo is amazing stuff?
I should also mention the reason for the thread wrappings on the limbs. During tillering a fret developed on the upper limb at a knot that passed through the belly. I used a technique I learned from John Strunk where he laminates a patch of raw hide over the belly area that is fretting and then wraps the whole works with thread. I did the same and it seems to have worked perfectly.
Here are the bow’s specifications. Yew backed with bamboo, 65” ntn, 55# @ 27”, 1 ¼” wide at the fades tapering to ½” at the tips, tips are black water buffalo horn. The handle is elk hide dyed with a combination of red and brown leather dye and a Strunk style handle lacing. The bow is finished with 9 coats of Tru-Oil. The bow holds 2” of reflex even after shooting – did I mention that bamboo is amazing stuff? ;D
I hope you enjoy the bow.
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU01.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU2.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU3.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU4.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU5.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU6.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU7.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU8.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BBU/BBU9.jpg)
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Nice work Gordon. It's good to see you were able to leave some sapwood on there. John has had great luck with that combo.
J. D. Duff
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Gordon that bow is amazing.That sucker not only looks like a missile launcher but is one good looking bow too.I love the zip that bamboo give's a bow also.
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Really nice work Gordon, man I enjoy seeing your bows.
VB
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Outstanding! I have some yew slats and am planning on doin the same. Can't wait to see what kind of speed I'll get out of this combination. Congratulations Gordon on a beautiful BBY.
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Wow Gordon, that is a real beauty. I love the way you angle your overlays from back to belly. Justin
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Beautiful Bow Gordon. You did very well for your first yew, boo and lam bow all in one...and did you mention how amazing the boo is!!! ;D Pat
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Beauty Gordon! I knew you would be having fun on this bow ;) Bet we see you making a few more of these ;D
Rich-serious bamboo poacher :o
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Seems every bow you have been doing is a winner gordon, this one is a beaut, I wouldnt be surprised if it outshoots your glass bow. Steve
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great looking bow Gordon. does it shoot as good as it looks? glad to see you got a new hat...LOL hope to see you at western states.
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Hey, what's wrong with my other hat! :o It shoots great - seems like it is as fast as my glass longbow. Where is Western States this year?
Rich, you're correct, I will make a few more Boo backed bows. I have a load of bamboo slats on order and some lemonwood boards that are just itching to be bows.
JD, I understand now why John fancies this combination.
Thank you all for the compliments.
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Gordon nice bow marlon
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Simply stunning Gordon anyone would love to own such a finely crafted bow.
Hope you don't mind a question Gordon.
Your tiller looks to be dead on for an elliptical tiller.
I'm wonderin why it doesn't bend more into the handle area, more of a full arc. Is this because it was spliced billets?
I'm just trying to learn and perhaps improve my own skills a little.
Thanks in advance Gordon
DanaM
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Beautiful job Gordon. I also think any combo with boo backing is a good combo. "Bamboo is great isn't it". Looks great and the tip treatment is a plus. I like the stain and I am always experimenting with it. Sure would like to see it in the flesh so to speak. ;D
Dick Bernier
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Dana,
The handle is spliced and I used a stiff handle design for this bow.
Gordon
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beautiful bow, gordon (as always ;D ). i particularly like the red accents on your wraps
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Wow! You did a great job on that! I've always wanted to try a bamboo backed bow.
Sean
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Because bamboo is amazing stuff, right? ;D
Sean
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Thats just not right. 1st yew bow , 1st backed bow = perfection.
Gordon are you sure your not an alien.
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Gordon your skills are incredible!! Your bows are always a work of art no matter what style or type of wood. The color of the boo and horn tips is a great contrast and the profile is perfect. It just dosen't get much better than that. Few people use boo and yew together yet I've found it to be a very good combination. One of the fastest and best shooting bows that I have made was a boo backed yew. Congratulations, Im sure that going to be a strong contender for the BOM. Keenan
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Good Grief - I thought voting wasn't until the end of April. What a fine bow! Looking forward to seeing it again for April Backed Bow of the Month
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It is not only the bo, that is amazing :)
For me it is the bow, that is amazing, may be the bo a little bit ;)
Congratulation for this fine and outstanding work.
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Thank you all for the compliments.
Keenan, I think you give me more credit than I deserve, but thank you.
BTW several persons have asked me how I stained the bamboo. I used a light brown leather dye for that.
Thanks again.
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Looks beautiful! Yep, isn't it amazing how much power that backing has when applied under tension! Nice work...
dan
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Truly another beauty, Gordon. Looks like your experience with the selfbows stood you in good stead with the laminated. I also love Bamboo (will someday use it in making a bow, I hope) and have it in about 3 of my personal bows of different types. Another great looking FD pic too - "Wooosh" (the sound of me lifting a FD pic - LOL)
(It's posted on my TBD pages now.)
(Why, oh why, did he have to pick April to try his first Laminated bow??? - ;))
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Great Gordon, you are setting some truly high standards out there to follow, both on selfbows and backed ones, your attention for details is outstanding
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Thank you Manny. That means a lot coming from you.
Bernie, what is the address of your web site again? I'd like to look at some of the bows you have posted.
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Ah - my pleasure, Gordon - I love visitors to the site. Just click on the TBD section in the menu (and the other sections too, from time to time - ;))
http://residents.bowhunting.net/bsdunn/index.htm
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hi gordon! - hey almost didn't recognize you: what happened to the bavarian hat?? well, i got the idea it could be you from the beauty of that bow!!
frank
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Very nice Gordon as usually,you do some fine work. :)
Pappy
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Wow!! Gordon, you da man. That's a beautiful bow, don't see how it could get any better.
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Very nice bow Gordon.
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After shooting the bow yesterday and today all I can say is wow - yew and bamboo is a killer combination!
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I don't know that could be nicer.
Dave
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If it shootsas good as it looks,youd better buy a lottery ticket, Winner! Auggie
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Nice bow Gordon. I hope the patch holds up for you, thats a sweet bow.
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Thanks Ryan. I've been shooting it everyday and so far the patch is holding fine. I don't think it is going to give me any trouble.
Auggie, this is easily the fastest bow I've ever made. The combination of high ring density yew and bamboo is truly amazing. This will be the bow I hunt elk with this year.
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Have you killed an elk with a primitive bow yet Gordon? Looks like you've taken a nice blacktail. Good luck with that bow.
J. D. Duff
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JD, I've not taken any animals with a primitive bow (or any bow for that matter). I came to hunting late in life and everything that I have managed to learn has been by trial and error. Unfortunately I'm much better at making bows that I am at using them :-[
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JD, I've not taken any animals with a primitive bow (or any bow for that matter). I came to hunting late in life and everything that I have managed to learn has been by trial and error. Unfortunately I'm much better at making bows that I am at using them :-[
Talk about a kindred spirit.
J. D. Duff
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Gordan JD dose it count if you miss them I have missed two elk and I can,t remember how many deer just to excited to be so close. I have gotten both with my black powder rifle though. tomm