Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Adam on September 21, 2014, 03:24:45 pm

Title: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Adam on September 21, 2014, 03:24:45 pm

My wife and I are expecting our first child next week (due on opening day of deer season, no less) and I wanted to make something for him.  Here’s Baby Charlie’s bow.  The bow is red oak finished with 4 coats of Tru-Oil followed by shellac.  It is 20 ¼ inches nock to nock.  It pulls a massive 6 pounds at 7 inches.  Everything is scaled down to average baby sizes (I’ve calculated that a typical baby’s draw length is around 7 inches.  If that ever comes up on Jeopardy!, now you know. ).

The point is novaculite wrapped on with artificial sinew.  I would have liked to have gotten it a little smaller to keep with the scale, but this is the best I can do with my knapping skills.  I had a very difficult time getting such a thin arrow to accept the point as the wood kept splitting.  I tried using a sharp knife to create a small notch in the shaft using very light pressure.  A trip to our friendly neighborhood emergency room and three stitches later, I have determined that this is not necessarily the best approach.  What ended up working pretty well was using a thin X-acto saw blade to create a kerf then putting the end of the arrow in boiling water for a couple minutes to soften the wood.  Fletching is from a turkey I shot a couple seasons ago. 

This bow will help decorate his room, but I’m looking forward to the time that I can make him a larger, more normal sized bow and enjoy shooting  and hunting with him.  Thanks for looking.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Danzn Bar on September 21, 2014, 03:31:41 pm

Congratulations on the first and the baby bow.... :)
DBar

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Stixnstones on September 21, 2014, 04:35:49 pm

Tiller looks spot on, lil Charlie's gonna love it

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: H Rhodes on September 21, 2014, 04:39:58 pm

Outstanding!  That's starting 'em out right.  ;D  Congratulations.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Badly Bent on September 21, 2014, 04:58:35 pm

You know he probably won't be able to shoot it until he's around six weeks old. ;)
Very cool and congrats to you and your wife on your first. :)

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Adam on September 22, 2014, 08:37:00 am

Thanks everyone! It was a fun project.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 22, 2014, 10:11:32 am

Beauty! Let us now when he is born. Jawge

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: paoliguy on September 22, 2014, 12:50:40 pm

Love that full draw picture. Congratulations!!!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Adam on September 22, 2014, 08:59:38 pm

I'll certainly let everyone know George.  I've learned a ton from your site, by the way. Thanks paoliguy!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: 4dog on September 22, 2014, 09:36:30 pm

do i see some string follow?????......just kidding awesome !!! and congrats!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Adam on September 22, 2014, 09:39:19 pm

Ha ha!  It does have a few millimeters of string follow! That's actually probably a lot on this scale.  Hand shock is pretty minimal though ;)

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: lebhuntfish on September 22, 2014, 10:13:20 pm

Very cool Adam, congratulations to you and your wife!  Patrick

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: hunterbob on September 22, 2014, 10:15:51 pm

Nice. I bet that would take care of NY short drawing the bow.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: IdahoMatt on September 23, 2014, 12:02:24 am

Very cool man.  Congrats.  Soon you'll be shooting together

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Drewster on September 23, 2014, 12:12:46 am

Congrats to you and your wife Adam.  I'm betting your son will come to cherish his birth gift someday.  Very nicely done.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: JacksonCash on September 23, 2014, 06:27:18 am

Bow of the month.

I love that, it is such a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing and congratulations.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Blackcoyote on September 23, 2014, 08:35:31 am

great bow, i'm sure Charlie is gonna love it....there is nothing better than being a dad! Enjoy those first few months- the time will fly by fast!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Pappy on September 23, 2014, 09:57:11 am

Very cool,I would blunt that point a bit if it was me. ;) ;D ;D ;D
   Pappy

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Del the cat on September 23, 2014, 10:32:33 am

Quote from: Pappy on September 23, 2014, 09:57:11 am

Very cool,I would blunt that point a bit if it was me. ;) ;D ;D ;D
   Pappy

Yeah, He'll chew on that when he's teething ;D
Del
Congrats

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Adam on September 23, 2014, 09:24:30 pm

Thanks so much everyone!  Don't worry Pappy, I can't knap 'em too sharp yet, I'm just lucky to get something roughly triangular! ;)  I did grind down the edges just in case though.  Del, if he chews on it, I don't know who will be hurting worse, him or me once my wife finds out!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer
Post by: Adam on September 28, 2014, 06:23:05 pm

Well, I'm happy to report that Charlie was born on Thursday night and both he and my wife are doing very well.  We just got home from the hospital and are glad to be relaxing (as much as possible) at home.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Ozzy on September 28, 2014, 08:39:40 pm

Where's the full draw lol good looking baby you got there.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: lebhuntfish on September 28, 2014, 11:59:24 pm

Very very cool! Congratulations to you and your wife. I really like the pictures. But I think your going to have to make several more bows for him. Looks like a big boy! Patrick

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Blaflair2 on September 29, 2014, 01:43:14 pm

Congrats man, they grow like weeds. I wish osage grew that fast. Enjoy it while ya can

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Adam on September 29, 2014, 10:11:03 pm

Quote from: Blaflair2 on September 29, 2014, 01:43:14 pm

I wish osage grew that fast.

Thanks! That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time!

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Stixnstones on September 29, 2014, 10:59:13 pm

Congrats, funny thats what i look like most of time sittin on stand, snoozin with bow in hand

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Forest_Farmer on October 14, 2014, 10:28:58 pm

Congrats Adam !   Nice bow but I disagree with badly bent,  I believe that he may be shooting at six months, but won't be shooting well until at least 10 months.
Pretty nice that you can make a bow and a hunting partner.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Adam on October 14, 2014, 10:31:09 pm

Thanks! It won't be too long until he's shooting better than me, I'm sure.

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Aaron H on October 20, 2014, 12:35:04 pm

Congrats!  That is one of the best pictures I have seen in a long time.  Adorable

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: burn em up chuck on October 20, 2014, 08:42:19 pm

   very cool brother

                  chuck

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Pappy on October 21, 2014, 07:13:18 am

Congrats  ,fine looking Boy and Bow. :)
 Pappy
 

Title: Re: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
Post by: Adam on October 21, 2014, 01:35:34 pm

Thanks for all the nice comments guys!