Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Almostpighunter on March 10, 2011, 03:00:36 pm
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This was the one project I just had to finish before I started on my trade bow as I've been pretty obsessed with it ever since the stave came into my possession. A little history: the stave was sent to me by Mullet in a trade and originally came from Shannon Walker. Apparently this was the last of the "3 sisters staves" and as soon as Mullet sent me a pic I knew I had to take a shot at it. The stave was sent with a warning about difficulties the other two sisters had in the tillering process, so I was really focused on being as meticulous as possible with the scraper.
In the end I spent so much effort in getting the tiller as close to perfect as I could that, by the time I realized it, I had overshot my desired draw weight. I considered cutting the tips down to get some more weight, but the curves were so wonderful I just didn't have the heart to do it. In the end, I decided if I could comfortably shoot a decent group at twenty yards I'd keep it the way it was. Had to use lighter arrows, but this bow will NEVER see the saw (see pic below, not going to win any world championships but it's good enough for me!). I absolutely love it and my shoulder doesn't throb after an hour of shooting the way it usually does with my heavier bows.
Stats:
Osage self bow with back taken down to one ring. I was originally thinking fancy riser and tip overlays but it just didn't seem right as the bow curves naturally into my palm and then reverses for a perfect arrow "shelf." Decided instead to keep is "simple" and true to the stave.
Draw weight 43# (just a hair under actually) @ 30". I had originally posted a question about adding draw weight for a bow that was 40# @ 30" and it turns out that I was mistakenly measuring the weight at 29" ::) . I can really be a doofus at times :P .
Length: 73" t2t (71" n2n)
Grip: Buffalo hide with latigo thatch. I have always preferred to shoot off my hand as opposed to a shelf, but the thick hide and natural curves make for a terrific and consistent "shelf" to shoot from while keeping the "off the hand" feel.
Enjoy! Talk to y'all later, I'm going shooting!!!
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More pics
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:o That is sweet! looks like you nailed that one I love it!
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nice bow,bad arrow choice.
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Wow.
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Lovely bow. Got any osage offcuts to make a wiggly wooden arrow to match?
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Wow! I don't know if I'll ever have the nerve to try one like that. Outstanding Job, tiller looks great.
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You did a fantastic job on this beauty! I may have the fourth sister to that stave and David Knight another. We got them from Shannon at the Classic 2 years ago. Shannon told me of the problems he had so I haven't attempted a build yet. The stave needed to season more anyway.
Great job on a very difficult stave. 8)
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incredible! that is the definition of a character bow. I think you did right by not adding a riser, and the tiller is sweet.
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Good job !!
One of the better looking bows I've seen in awhile !!
Thanks for sharing it !
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Very nice snakey osage bow! Bookmarked for March BOM contest too! This topic was somehow accidently locked so I have unlocked it as well so you can get more wonderful comments on this well-designed bow. ;) :)
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Carbon arrows out of such a beauty bow???? ;)
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Awsome job Sir!!
Bevan R
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I want one!!! Very nice job.
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Straight as a board, eh? ;D
Nice job with a tough piece of osage!
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Man I love this bow! beautiful tiller as well! Great job ;D
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Wow, very nice. You did a great job with that really tough piece of wood. You ought to be real proud of that one. Tillering must have been a real chore, but you nailed it. Job well done.
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Keep this up and some day you will make nice bows! (Didja note the sarcasm there?)
Aw man, if that bow came in at 20# draw weight I'd be happy with it! Just achieving the incredible tiller this bow shows is bragging rights in any crowd of bowyers!!! Awesome piece of work. Astounding!
-John
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Some Amazing work on that one-That takes some serious patience and talent-very cool and very sweet looking bow-Hammertime
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Ok - I can type now, finally picked my jaw up off of the keyboard.
Outstanding!
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That thing looks like it's put together with about 27 u-joints! :o Nice job on a tough piece of wood.
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You must have a lot of patience ;D Excellent job!
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Michael;
That came out great! I'm glad I sent it to you. With my schedule I saw it sitting in my shop for awhile. And, like Pat, was a little leary of it with the draw weight and pull I shoot. And, it's not to be confused with the "Three Sisters", More like the "Red Headed Stepsisters". Leaving it that length and draw weight probably helped it survive during tillering and shooting in, Congratulations on a fine bow.
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Is this the only sucessful one of the lot?
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Thanks to all for the wonderful comments!!
@ Ohma & snag: Guys, please forgive the carbons. I normally shoot 50-65# and all my bamboo arrows are "spined" in that range. I keep the lighter spined carbons, and the poplar that are also in the group pic, on hand mostly to shoot in the lighter bows I make for other people because they are cheap.
I personally think that natural shafts shoot better off longbows regardless of whether they are modern (insert dreaded "Fibe..." word here) or primitive due to superior bending during archer's paradox for the off center string line. I haven't had a reason to invest in POC or Bamboo at the lighter spine weights for myself...until now. If it makes you guys feel better I did order a dozen bamboo arrows today.
Hopefully you two, and anyone else on the forum, weren't too offended by the presence of the carbon on this otherwise primitive site. If so, then I apologize. - Mike
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If you can tiller a bow like that, you can shoot anything you want off it ;D
Nice job.
Darcy :)
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Oh wow! That is so nice. You did a great job on that one! Jawge
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Pat. as far as I know only two of them have been attempted. Mine failed miserably but it was the snakiest of them all and i wasn't as patient as i needed to be. I have faith that you'll make yours work. KnightD has one too but I don't think he's done anything with it yet.
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That's the kind of stave I need for some copperheads I got. Awesome Job on an awesome bow. This one may get my vote for BOM.
Stiks
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Beautiful bow and very well tillered. I got the short end of that log ;) :)I think,looks a lot like it.It was billits.Need to get it finished :)After seeing that one really makes me want to get going on it.I love snaky bows. :) :)
Pappy
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'hunter... like every one of the guys has said before me - amazing bow!!
I agree with JW 100% in that even at 20# I'd be proud to have made such a challenging tiller turn out so perfectly!! The tips and nocks look so fresh and clean... it's just beautiful!
Getting in early for March BoM I think ;)
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Very cool! Nice job on a challenging piece of wood ;)
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Wow. What a great lookin bow. Great job
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Yeah that bows needs skinned with somethin. I hope someday to have the courage to tackle a piece like that. Tiller is perfect. spectacular is the word that comes to mind. Danny
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Showed it to a friend that is a bicycle bow shooter and all he could say, over and over, was "That's not right, that's just not right!"
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Thats real talent right there.
Jeff
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That's just amazing. I can't imagine how long it took to shape and tiller that one. That bow should impress some the high tech compound shooters...lol. Jim