Congratulations to "Straightarrow" from Ellwood City PA for winning August Self BOM Contest!
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27331.0.html
From StraightArrow:
Just finished up this 52" osage D bow for my brother Dan. Its the first of hopefully three that I can get from the same stave. I plan to give this one to him, one to my dad, and one for myself. I got two bows side by side and did a belly split on one of the halves. I named the bow 1st. Akin...which means related by blood...2nd and 3rd hopefully to follow. Once i got the bow to floor tiller I flipped the tips and backed the bow with sinew. I made the handle too narrow and too thin to start so I built it up with sinew. When I applied the black snake skins I completely wrapped the handle. The wraps past mid limb are decorative and hide where i spliced the skins. The tips are deer antler and the handle wrap is from an old leather coat. The string is b-50 with black beaver silencers. I finished the bow with tru oil. The bow finished out at 55#@27". I actually tillered it to 28" but marked it at his draw.
I won't be able to give this to my brother for a few weeks... He has no idea its coming.
Beautiful Bow! Here are some comments from forum members!
"Awe yeah buddy. Guess who's showing up at your door to see that baby all finished up.I remember that stave. Bill showed me some pre finished pics last weekend at ETAR. Missed ya n sure woulda been nice to have ya there.
Dude that bend is sweeeeet on that shorty. Smooth to I bet. I heard you fell in love with her"
-blackhawk
"Cool little bow with a perfect tiller. Looking forward to the other two!" -Pat B
"Man that bow is sweet. Looks like a great hunting bow, short as it is. The skins look spectacular too." -sidewinder
"Very nice Jon.You did that little piece of wood justice. God Bless" -PeteC
"Really fine work. Looks like a freezer filler to me. Can't say more than has already been said!...Except.....want to be my brother!?!?!?" -okiecountryboy