Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on May 28, 2007, 02:51:52 pm
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This is my first attempt at building an ambush style bow. I have several species of wood in my shop, but I wanted to start by experimenting with vine maple as I am the most familiar with it. I’m fairly pleased with the result though it follows the string more than I like (2" after unstringing). The next one I build will probably be a little wider, slightly longer, somewhat less draw weight and will have a tempered belly.
Here are the bow’s specifications: 55” ntn, 67# @ 27”, 1 1/2" wide, no arrow rest, rawhide backing, brown leather dye limbs with black accents on the tips, elk hide handle wrap with Strunk-style wrap, bends slightly through the handle, tips are mildly reflexed to improve string angle.
Much of my hunting occurs in dense brush and swamp and can see how such a style of bow would be handy. Not to mention they are fun to build and shoot.
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush1.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush4.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush5.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush3.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush6.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Ambush/VMambush2.jpg)
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Very cool VM bow, Gordon. I especially like the way you have it dyed. Pat
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Damn! you win again :D very nice job.
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Very nice! It would make a fine hunting bow indeed! She has great character in her looks... ;D Another fine piece!!!
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Wow, that is pretty impressive for an experiment. I like the color scheme also. Justin
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That is a KILLER LITTLE BOW Gordon!!!!.... :o.... ;)...
REALLY REALLY NICE, so nice that I must to make one!!!... :)...
How does it shoot mate?
Thanks for share such a cool bow Gordon...
Cheers...
Asier.
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Asier,
It seems to launch an arrow quite forcefully. At 15 yards I think it would put an arrow right through an elk. But, the pull is a little heavy for my taste. I'll probably make one similar to this in the high 50's for regular use.
Gordon
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Pappy and I were talking today about the fine bows you make! This bow is another example of your bowyering skills. Extremely nice bow! :)
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Dang Gordon that is nice!!
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Gordon, what do you use on the tips? is it just painted black and clear coated? looks great.
VB
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What a beauty!
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That is another great looking bow Gordon!!! I love the colors too - gives it that two hundred year old look.
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VB,
I used black leather dye on the tips and then a finish.
Gordon
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Well thats a little beauty,gorgeous Bow ;).
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very, very nice gordon (as usual) ;D
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YEAHHHH !!! :) :) :) :)
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Very sweet looking bow.great job.
Pappy
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Another sweet bow Gordon, wish my experiments came out so nice
my last is in 2 pieces ;)
Dana
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Well done, Gordon! Last year my attempt at an ABC bow gave me more string follow than I like as well (which is a lot more than you got!)
Couple of questions for you; do you notice any stack on the bow as you approach 27"? and what diameter was the tree from which the bow was made? Thanks,
Stan
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What can I say that hasn't been said already? Another great bow and beautiful workmanship!
Sean
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Stan at first I thought the bow might be stacking because it was hard to bring it to full draw. Then I computed a force/draw curve and discovered it was gaining weight evenly all the way to 27, i.e. no stack. I'm just not used to pulling that kind of weight :-[. The bow was made from a fairly large diameter stave (at least as far as VM goes), I think it was about 4".
Thank you all for the very nice comments!
Gordon
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hey gorgon! - a real beauty as always!!
did you dye the bow and than put on rawhide later?? is that tricky to do?? what glue did you use??? is it translucent calf rawhide???
frank
ps: already thought about having an extra folder on my computer for the 'GF-beauties' ...downloaded them ALL!!!
pps: ....oh yeah: good to see the bavarian hat is back, too!
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Frank,
I dyed the bow after the rawhide was applied. I used deer rawhide (very thin - most likely from the belly) and applied it with liquid hide glue. Not tricky to do at all.
BTW, the hat isn't exactly Bavarian. It came from the Corinthian region of Austria which is where my folks were born and raised and most of my relatives still live.
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Very nice Gordon. 67# is a heavy little bow. I like that weight a lot. I think 60-65#s is a reasonable minimum for Elk at ordinary ranges. I wish I could comfortably hunt with an 85-100# bow like Hill did, though. :P Your fine attention to detail is always a pleasure to see.
J. D. Duff
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thanks gordon! - would you tell me the name of the leather dye you are using?? i have a sort of leather dye that actually is from the US that does not dye wood at all!
...i may have guessed that's were your name originates from; stylistically that does not make such a big difference, i guess ;D ;D ;D
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Frank,
Fiebings Leather Dye.
Here is a link to the product that I use.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?number=2100-04
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A nice piece of wood - Master Gordon 8)!
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Loved it, as always with Gordon's bows (and modesty) and captured a FD picture from another forum for my TBD pages.
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thanks gordon!
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My word- Gordon your mastery of bow making and unprecidented skills inspire us all! Thank you for another wonderful bow!
Kegan
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Gordan, I think everytime I post on your bow threads I say the same thing. Oh well, here we go again.....WOW!!!!
Brian
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Gordan, I think everytime I post on your bow threads I say the same thing.
that's true, isn't it....feel the same way.
(well ... even on the bava... sorry: AUSTRIAN hat ... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D )
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ps: gordon, do you ever go vistit your folks in austria?? there's a good bowyer in austria, his name is micha wolf; do you know him by chance??
frank
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Frank,
I do visit Austria on occasion. I have not heard of Micha, but I will see if I can locate him.
Gordon
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Wow. First look at your bow and it is super. Nice color blends and the profile is cool. Great job.
Eliseo
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This is a fine bow and we'll look at it again for May Self Bow of the Month !Manana!
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Frank,
I do visit Austria on occasion. I have not heard of Micha, but I will see if I can locate him.
Gordon
my pleasure to be of help.... www.bogenbau.at
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I can't add to whats already been said....WOW !!!! You are an artist...
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Another beauty Gordon...The just keep getting better and better
R
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Bravo Gordon. I'd love to see how it feels.
Dave