Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Badly Bent on November 27, 2015, 10:34:44 am
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Been working on this one for several months and finally finished it. Low draw weight of 40# at 24" mainly out of fear because because all the flaws in this stave pointed towards explosion in my opinion. ;) It'll be a fun little target sticker for me to keep around just for kicks. I'd be afraid to pass it on to someone and have it blow in their face even though it's had a few hundred arrows cast without a tick so far. It's either ugly, unique or good looking depending on each individuals perspective. ;D
I mostly made it just to see if I could. Top limb was no problem even though it had a hole through the middle and several protruding twig knots. Bottom limb was more concerning with rotted off bark and sapwood just below the handle as well as a protruding vein of wood and some reflex just beyond that area. That 7-8" of limb just below the handle was gonna take any bend safely to I went with it and tillered to the best of my abilities.
56.5" ntn, 40# @ 24"
rawhide tip overlays
handle built up with cork and wrapped in jute with birch bark trim
Thanks for looking. Greg
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Not sure what happened with the pics, try again
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and a few more;
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Greg, that bow is just beautiful, like the wood color and that grip is absolutely picture perfect. Man you got your own style and it is sweet !!!!
rich
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Saw that one a few months back in your shop when I was over and all I can say is you are a glutton for punishment 8) hard to believe you got that thing to shoot!
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If that blows up it won't be for lack of craftsmanship that's for sure.
Absolutely beautiful.
Did you stain it at all? I have some buckthorn drying and I need it to look that good!
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No stain on this one Ben. I've seen quite a bit of variety of different color within different trees of buckthorn even if cut from the same thicket. A lot also depends on how soon you remove the bark on the stave as well I think.
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That's a beautiful piece of wood, with a real nice bend!!
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Just beautiful. I sure hope this bow lasts you a long time.
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Good grief! That is a rough looking piece of wood to have become such a fine bow. You are the buckthorn master in my opinion. Sweet looking bend to those limbs.
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My god that bow is beautiful!
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Awesome work Greg, all around.
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Wow, you pulled that one off nicely Greg! :D
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That's really nice. I love all aspects of it.
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Sweet nasty!!! :D
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That's an awesome looking bow 8), so much character, very nice work. :)
Ruddy Darter.
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Greg, that is off the chain man...Perfect even bend through all that character 8) Really nice craftsmanship and I'm with Rich on that grip...Always enjoy looking at your work!
Don
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That's a great bow! I'd seen your other snakey buckthorn bow earlier, loved it, looked at some buckthorn on my land and thought, that just wouldn't work as a bow. But now you even pulled it off with that kind of stuff. Really impressive....my kind of bow.
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Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate the feedback fellas.
Buckthorn seems to be really sturdy wood for the most part in spite of knots and flaws. Although there also seems like there can be some staves that look perfect and just won't bend without breaking, usually snapping in tension for me. Also some will hold onto reflex very well and others have taken set easily. This one didn't want to give up any of the reflex in that bottom limb although I imagine a lot of that had to do with keeping the draw weight low.
Here's a pic of the natural reflex in the stave, this picture was taken right after I had roughed it out with a hatchet and rasp some 4 month's ago.
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Bad chris nailed, sweet and nasty I love the look of the back and the grip Greg, cool beans man
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That's amazing! Well done, I love all the character. So guys can I ask how you prepare the freshly cut wood to dry? Its smaller in diameter correct? Bark on or off? Any reduction while wet? I understand splitting and removing bark on larger logs but unsure of smaller limbs and trees.
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That is a beautiful bow! Love the knots. Great finish job.
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Good job !
Buckthorn is fun stuff ain't it ?
wish I had a whole truck load of it
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Incredible work Greg!
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I love everything about that bow Greg. Great job
I should really finish up that buckthorn stave I got from Pearly, looks like yews ugly little brother
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That's knarly.....Very nice job.
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That's one nice piece of work! 8)
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Great looking bow. Your finishing is as always fantastic! :)
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What else can I add Greg ? Too cool Dude - the grip is outstanding - Bob.
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Stud.
Cant wait to see that one, and soon. You can never really appreciate Greg's work without seeing it and handling it. Who is the old codger with reading glasses?
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As alway Greg, good looking stick. Dang that has some character. I really like the colors.
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I'm impressed that you got any kind of shootable bow out of that stave......super nice work. The handle wrap is excellent. That treatment is at the top of my "favorites" list. Thanks for sharing this one Greg. It's nice to know you shouldn't give up on a rough piece of wood.
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Awesome work Greg. That is a very nice looking bow.
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vry nice,, congrats
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"King of the Buckthorn"
Another beauty.............
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Nice one! 8)the drawn pic looks premo!
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Many thanks again for the replies gentlemen. :)
Sockrablur: When I cut small diameter buckthorn, (1.5" - 4" saplings), I just seal the ends with glue, leave the bark on and let them season/dry until ready to use them, usually several months to a year or more. The bark will then come off easily with a draw knife and the stringy inner bark can then be removed with a scraper to reveal your bows back. I've tried roughing out the belly right away on freshly cut saplings and ended up with seriously deep checks on the belly. I've also tried removing the bark right away on staves cut in the spring and sealing the back instantly and had about a 50/50 success rate with that method. For me anyway just sealing the ends of the stave and leaving the bark on has worked best. With larger diameter buckthorn I will split after it has sat in whole log form for a month or more and lost some of the moisture. Hope this is helpful.
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Yes sir, thank you for the reply badly bent.
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Nice work Greg! I'm pretty sure you can coax a bow outta anything and make it look good!
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Looks like a fine job on a very challenging stick of wood. ;)
Pappy