Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Accipiter on December 19, 2014, 07:51:31 pm

Title: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Accipiter on December 19, 2014, 07:51:31 pm: This is one I made over the summer, just now getting around to posting it. Its made from the stave in the first picture, a plum branch I harvested last winter. Real fun wood to work with and super pretty, especially the bark. This bow is my best effort to date - smooth draw, pretty accurate and snappy despite the low poundage. Mostly, though, I like how it looks! Its my new go-to target shooter.

Specs: 60" ntn, 38# @ 26", bendy handle, with handle about 1" wide, fades around 1 3/4, slowly tapering for most of the limb and then quickly at the end to 1/4" tips with purpleheart overlays. I really like the combo of the plum bark and purpleheart!

I heat treated this one quite a bit, mostly to try and remove a deflexed kink in one of the limbs (right side in the unbraced pic). It was pretty successful, ended up with <1/2" set on that side and dead flat on the other. Plum seems to like heat treating and bends well, my next plum project I may try to do something similar with heavier poundage and recurves. Happy holidays, and may the new year bring fresh shavings!

(http://i.imgur.com/eDZQZaV.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/4LCx5GD.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/igykrNd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/3S5Fjo0.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/SejNyRd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/dHEJ7Mt.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/j7hRLxi.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/dHAbycy.jpg)
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 19, 2014, 08:24:33 pm: Wow! That's a beautiful bow with excellent tiller. Jawge
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Danzn Bar on December 19, 2014, 08:29:56 pm: Quote from: George Tsoukalas on December 19, 2014, 08:24:33 pm
Wow! That's a beautiful bow with excellent tiller. Jawge

+1 on the tiller and finish work....nice work :)
DBar
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: NeolithicMan on December 19, 2014, 08:38:33 pm: Awesome bow! real looker and still well above huning weight here in NY. If its accurate thats all you need but looks dont hurt either!
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Badly Bent on December 19, 2014, 09:04:05 pm: Love the look of that bark on the bows back, sweet tiller as well.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Stixnstones on December 19, 2014, 09:24:01 pm: Tiller is perfect, that bark is awesome great job man
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Arrowind on December 19, 2014, 09:26:39 pm: Very nice!
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: osage outlaw on December 19, 2014, 09:41:59 pm: Sharp looking bow! I like the back.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: SLIMBOB on December 19, 2014, 09:52:23 pm: Very nice. Love the bark back.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: rps3 on December 19, 2014, 10:02:39 pm: That bark looks too cool, and sweet full draw as well.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: bowsandroses on December 19, 2014, 10:10:04 pm: Looks great good effort for sure.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Accipiter on December 20, 2014, 02:03:56 am: Thanks everyone for the kind words, this one is definitely my best work so far.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: chamookman on December 20, 2014, 04:25:55 am: Very nice ! Bob
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Del the cat on December 20, 2014, 05:02:08 am: Cool looking bow.
Del
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Gsulfridge on December 20, 2014, 08:10:22 am: Man, I like that. Good job.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Marc St Louis on December 20, 2014, 10:47:36 am: Lovely looking bow. Reminds me of one I made out of HHB many years ago
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: IdahoMatt on December 20, 2014, 10:53:55 am: Very nice. I love branch bows with the bark for the back. Nicely done
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: bowmo on December 20, 2014, 12:10:05 pm: Killer, woods that you can leave the bark on are amazing.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Billinthedesert on December 20, 2014, 12:21:36 pm: WOW, that's a handsome bow, Accipiter. How green/dry was the stave? I have heard plum's only fault is its willingness to check while curing.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Accipiter on December 20, 2014, 01:08:48 pm: Thanks everyone. Bill, I cut this stave and immediately split it/sealed the ends, then let it sit in my parents garage for the portland winter, which was probably at 35 degrees and 95% RH! So, no checking there, but maybe no drying either. About 3 months later I reduced it to floor tiller and then let it sit for another month or two inside, and then started working on it. No problems with checking at all, it was really easy to work, at least compared to seasoned ocean spray!
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Aaron H on December 20, 2014, 01:24:43 pm: Very nice, love the back. I have been wanting to try a plum bow
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: simson on December 20, 2014, 03:26:57 pm: Quote from: Badly Bent on December 19, 2014, 09:04:05 pm
Love the look of that bark on the bows back, sweet tiller as well.

+ 1 here
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: hammertime on December 20, 2014, 10:28:21 pm: Sweet looking bow...one you can have a ton of fun shooting,,,great work-Hammertime
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Zion on December 20, 2014, 11:29:21 pm: Beautiful bend on that sucker!
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: vinemaplebows on December 21, 2014, 12:28:36 am: Very, very nice! :)
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: koan on December 21, 2014, 11:07:45 am: Awsome bow! Ive never made a bark on bow..its a beauty for sure! Will the bark stay put, or will it eventually pop off?.... Brian
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Trapper Rob on December 21, 2014, 11:35:46 am: Great looking bow really like the back.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: rossfactor on December 23, 2014, 04:41:52 pm: Thats my kind of bow! Great work man!! Gotta love some purple leaf plum.

Gabe
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Josh Shuck on December 23, 2014, 10:34:54 pm: Wow! Nicely done sir. Wouldn't mind seeing a few more pics... ;)
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on December 24, 2014, 11:51:04 am: Missed this one. That's a sweety with some great bends going on.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: Accipiter on December 25, 2014, 12:05:39 am: Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the kind words. Gabe, you sure know your way around some plum, so I'm stoked you give this one a thumbs up! Brian, so far so good on this one, and same with an Ocean spray bow i made. Other woods may not work though, and I had to sand these down pretty far and to a pretty fine grit.
Title: Re: Plum branch bow, 38# @ 26" (pics galore!)
Post by: H Rhodes on December 25, 2014, 10:53:43 am: Really nice tiller. Plum sure makes a fine looking bow.