Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Stickhead on August 26, 2016, 10:17:12 am
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Hi, guys,
I had to cut down a couple Crape Myrtle trees in my yard, and I just had to try it out as bow wood. The trees grow super straight for about 3', then the splay out into branches. I decided to make billets such that the tips are at the part where it starts to flair out, so it has a little bit of natural recurve at the tips. I just scraped off the outer bark/cambium layer, and that's the back.
The wood color is very pale, so I dressed it up with some python skins I bought a while back. It's somewhat soft wood, so I reinforced the tips with purpleheart overlays. I decided to make it a sleeve take-down, since I've had good luck with those. I added a leather grip, with some possum bone for beads on the lace.
I found the crape myrtle easy to work with, and seems to have pretty good tension and compression strength. It took a little bit of set, which is mostly offset by the recurved tips. Anyway, it bends and hasn't broken, so I call that a winner. Shoots real snappy and straight, too.
It's 65" n-n, 50# @ 26", even taper from 1-3/4" down to 7/16" at the tips. I gave it an elliptical, and slightly positive tiller.
Thanks for any advice.
...Tom
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More pics...
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That looks great man. Nice finish work to boot! Always fun trying new woods.
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Really sharp looking bow Tom, I'd call it a winner too.
Bjrogg
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Nice work. I've never tried Crepe Myrtle but I've seen some nice bows from it.
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Thatis a great looking bow. Nice bend and the skins look awesome. Great job!
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Good job. I like those skins
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Very nice. You did a great job on that bow.
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Clean,nice,great bend....overall a very nice bow man.Congratulations on your backyard find.
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Nothing wrong with that, Tom. That is one, pretty take-Down you made. Crape Myrtle is everywhere down here, I'm suprised it's not used more. The City plants it for Ornamentals and trims the shoots off of hundreds of trees all over the town. I've been thinking about grabbing some and try them for arrows.
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Sweet. Like that a bunch.
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Super! Love it
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You do very clean work, I like that.
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when i close my eyes and think of what i wish my bows looked like.... they all look exactly like that one... *(just with a longer draw... lol..)
unfortunately mine never look that gorgeous...
that sir is a fine lookin bow... congrats
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Thanks for all the kind comments, guys!
...Tom
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That's great I was eyeballing a crepe myrtle today wondering : )
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I had written this wood off an non bow wood. Guess I will have to try again.
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Great work. Looks like a sweet shooter.
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A fine job. Really on the money.
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That's one good looking bow. The tiller, the skins, handle wrap...I like everything about it.
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Very nice and clean lines. Those pythons are some sweet looking skins got to get my hands on some!
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Nice. I have a Myrtle tree I need to cut down as well. I've saved several branches and am planning out testing them out once they are dried.
Where on Earth did you get Python Skins?
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Boy that is clean, nice work