Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: siouxman7 on May 17, 2007, 12:44:56 pm

Title: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: siouxman7 on May 17, 2007, 12:44:56 pm
     This is Raven. I built this bow for my brother in Alaska.The bow is 68" long and draws 50# @ 28".  This wood has been drying for about 37 years. (I cut it in 1990 and comparing the weathering to a nearby fence post, it had been standing dead for 20 years.) The dark line running through one of Wolfs tracks to Eagle is a fine crack. I had a hard time getting to one growth ring on the back because of the cracks and checkering from drying.. I got past all of the rest of the cracks but this one. I was afraid I'd run out of wood so since this is in a static part of the bow, I chose to leave it cause it would do no harm there. The narrow area a few inches up from the grip was caused by a knot in the stave I split off from this one. The effects of that knot transferred into this bow. I had to keep it thicker at that point to make up for being narrow. The natural recurve in the upper limb was caused by the limb that was in the tree above this stave when it was alive. Between the two knots, the narrow spot and the recurved tip, I found this upper limb to be rather challenging. The lower limb was a text book limb, but when coupled with the upper limb made it interesting to get them to work together.  I added the Spirits of Eagle, Wolf, Bear and Bison on the back and Raven on the belly. It has been an honor to build this bow for my brother. I thank the Spirits for their help and guidance for the privilege to bring this bow out of this fine piece of wood .

Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related)
Steve

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Title: More pics of Raven
Post by: siouxman7 on May 17, 2007, 12:51:58 pm
Here is a few more.
Steve

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Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: OldBow on May 17, 2007, 01:08:08 pm
Easy to see this as a real contender for May Self Bow of the Month.  Nice artwork not to mention a well-made bow.
Title: Re: More pics of Raven
Post by: Hillbilly on May 17, 2007, 01:11:24 pm
That's a fine looking weapon. Looks like you did an excellent job of finding the bow in that gnarly piece of tree, a job that can only be appreciated by one who has worked a piece of wood like that himself. I hope that it makes meat for your brother.
Title: Re: More pics of Raven
Post by: DanaM on May 17, 2007, 01:21:59 pm
wow! dats a real nice bow, character, artwork whats not to like

DanaM
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: Pappy on May 17, 2007, 01:22:46 pm
Nice looking bow from a rough piece of wood,The tiller looks much better in the 2nd picture.Good job. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: More pics of Raven
Post by: Justin Snyder on May 17, 2007, 01:28:50 pm
Nice looking bow there.  Thanks for sharing. Justin
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: Badger on May 17, 2007, 01:35:16 pm
Great job on that bow, I like that tiller also, they shoot good like that. Steve
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: StanM on May 17, 2007, 02:41:15 pm
Very nice work!  Great job on the upper limb, tiller looks great.  You have a lucky brother.

Stan
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 17, 2007, 02:47:26 pm
Siouxman, that is a sweet looking bow. Well done. Jawge
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on May 17, 2007, 04:16:21 pm
Interesting looking bow, nice tiller and overall work on it
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: mullet on May 17, 2007, 04:48:09 pm
  Very nice bow and a good looking piece of wood.
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: AndrewS on May 17, 2007, 06:06:30 pm
A fine looking weapon out of a piece of old wood ;)
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: mamba on May 17, 2007, 08:42:23 pm
Very nice,I LIKE THE COLOR of old sage.
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: jignfrog on May 17, 2007, 11:33:34 pm
very nice bow. I agree with Stan you have a lucky brother.

Ron
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: Jbell on May 17, 2007, 11:41:28 pm
Congratulations on gettin a bow out of that gnarly piece of wood. I have often thought about tryin out a hedge post bow, since my pop's got them laying around everywhere, maybe someday. Btw the tiller looks pretty sweet also. Nice job!
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: jpitts on May 18, 2007, 01:19:25 am
Great looking bow.
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: GregB on May 18, 2007, 08:47:45 am
I really like your bow, it turned out extremely nice. Tiller looks really good especially with the challenge of the upper limb. Like the finnish job as well. :)
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: 1/2primitive on May 18, 2007, 09:34:12 am
Wow! great bow, and one very lucky brother. ;D
      Sean
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: Gordon on May 18, 2007, 08:33:25 pm
Oh my what a great looking bow and a good story to go with it. BOM will be quite challenging this month...
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: venisonburger on May 18, 2007, 10:00:28 pm
Thats a great bow, I have respect for people who can take twisted snakey wood and work the tiller out. nice finish, all around quality.
VB
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: a finnish native on May 21, 2007, 07:50:41 am
looks good. BOM will be tight this month.
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: medicinewheel on May 21, 2007, 02:09:15 pm


really nice bow !!!

Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: elwinbm on May 21, 2007, 10:26:15 pm
Verry nice and I like the art work
Elwin ;D
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: siouxman7 on May 23, 2007, 01:02:43 pm

  Thank you all for the kind words. The bow was there all along, I just helped it to find its way out.

  Thanks again,
   Happy trails    Steve
Title: Re: Osage selfbow w/pics
Post by: Hillbilly on May 23, 2007, 01:20:36 pm
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.