Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:32:59 am

Title: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:32:59 am

Well, this old guy is a good for 2 or 3 per year and this is one of them. It takes me longer these days. I think I have 30+ hours in this one though I don't  keep track.

I've always just made them for me and mine.

Winter is bow making time in New England.

I like hickory. It is a good wood provided it is handled properly in the summer. I just leave it in AC when I am not shooting it. That helps to control moisture.

Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:39:55 am

Sorry.
Trying to copy IMG link form Photobucket.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:42:29 am

Ok.
I had to narrow the top limb to remove some drying cracks.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3636_zps12pbrqwh.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Jawge/media/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3636_zps12pbrqwh.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:45:41 am

Unbraced.
Handle is sewn on with a baseball stitch.
Bow is 64" long and is 47# at 25".
It is about 1 1/8" at the arrow pass.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3632_zps0hk0a6i0.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Jawge/media/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3632_zps0hk0a6i0.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 09:54:23 am

Here she is braced.
Top limb had about an inch of reflex and both limbs and a bit of a prop twist.
I left the prop twist in and hated a little reflex into the bottom limb.
I heat treated.
I had a difficult time reducing the limb weight and had to do some side tillering as well as belly tillering.
Seems that bow limbs can be narrower after heat treating and heavier also.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3641_zps6pqppm1w.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Jawge/media/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3641_zps6pqppm1w.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 10:01:20 am

Here she is at full draw.
I tiller on a rope and pulley.
I also do digi tillering. Thanks to my wife and daughter for taking the pictures.
Thanks for taking a peak, my friends.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/Jawge/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3642_zpssrrtb757.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Jawge/media/Turn%20the%20Corner/IMG_3642_zpssrrtb757.jpg.html)


Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: BowEd on January 12, 2017, 10:18:40 am

Sweet full draw pic.Nice bow.I like my hickory here too.First time I heat treated a hickory I was amazed as to the transformation of the bow.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 10:21:56 am

Thanks, Beadman.
Hickory does seem to respond well to heat treating.
Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: osage outlaw on January 12, 2017, 10:28:09 am

That would make a very good hunting bow.  Nice work Jawge.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pappy on January 12, 2017, 10:31:12 am

Nice Jawges, got to love Hickory. 2 or 3 is about all I am good for anymore myself, involved in a lot but don't build many anymore.  ;)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 10:32:48 am

Thanks, osage outlaw and Pappy.
Good to hear I am not the only one slowing down, my friend. :)
Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Wooden Spring on January 12, 2017, 10:33:04 am

Digi Tillering???

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 10:54:59 am

Yes, wooden spring.
After I hit full draw, I make adjustments when I draw it in the hand.
I'll either have my wife or daughter take a picture, draw in front of a mirror or in front of a window at night.
I pull from the center on my rope and pulley so this compensates for it.
Actually, nothing compares with how you hold the bow.
I imagine digi tillering takes the place of having other bowyers look at your tiller.
My daughter has a pretty good eye for a tiller but this way I can get it looking the way I want while drawing. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Parnell on January 12, 2017, 11:39:14 am

Looks good to me, Jawge!  Hope winter isn't being too rough on you.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 12:00:58 pm

Thanks, Parnell. Winter is good. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Aaron H on January 12, 2017, 12:43:16 pm

Looks great, nice to see another one from you

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: DC on January 12, 2017, 12:44:55 pm

Nice bend Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 12, 2017, 01:28:09 pm

Very nice bend indeed, Jawgey poo.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 02:24:44 pm

Thanks, Aaron , DC and PD.  Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: JonW on January 12, 2017, 02:52:04 pm

I like how you use the stave without much tweeking. Been doing more of that myself and I really like the process more. Thanks for posting this one Jawge!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: CrazyHorse1969 on January 12, 2017, 03:02:03 pm

Yep. Nice one!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: bubby on January 12, 2017, 03:06:10 pm

Sweet bend jawge, whenever I see you have posted a bow that's the first link I check out. Nice to see one from a PA legend😉

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: simson on January 12, 2017, 03:44:34 pm

Nice one Sir George, sweet bend.
Good to see you're still into bowmaking

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 04:25:01 pm

Thanks, JonW. I try to keep the heat corrections to a minimum. I like looking at the character bows. Thanks, Crazyhorse. Thanks, bubby. Thanks, Simson. I still enjoy making bows after all these years.
Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: rps3 on January 12, 2017, 05:08:21 pm

Good to see a bow from you George. Nice job.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: half eye on January 12, 2017, 06:03:06 pm

very nice George, nice to see ya save the "natural" in that bow.
rich

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Stick Bender on January 12, 2017, 06:05:38 pm

Verry nice hickory stick there George  beautiful job !

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: bushboy on January 12, 2017, 06:08:37 pm

Nicely done!you have been a huge inspiration to many,myself included!beautiful bend indeed!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pat B on January 12, 2017, 06:39:51 pm

Well done Jawge. Nice bend.
 I only made 2 last year and haven't started one this year yet.  :(

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: barebo on January 12, 2017, 07:02:48 pm

Made my first board bow with directions from this sage bowyer. Looks like you still have a great eye Sir!!! Thanks for your contributions in helping folks experience traditional bow making!!!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 07:07:25 pm

Thanks, rps3. Thanks, half eye. I do try to keep the stave the way it is. Thanks, Stick Bender.
Very kind words, busboy and barbo. Thanks, Pat B. I am discovering I am not the only one slowing. Lord willing we have more bows to make.
Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: upstatenybowyer on January 12, 2017, 07:16:29 pm

Jawge! Just saw this one. Gorgeous bend, and nice profiles!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 12, 2017, 07:33:34 pm

Thanks, upstatenybowyer. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: MulchMaker on January 16, 2017, 01:58:05 pm

How did I miss this one!!! Nice work, gives me high hopes for my three bitternut staves I've got drying!!! Love the full draw pic

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: selfbow joe on January 16, 2017, 02:26:14 pm

Very nice looking bow

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: mwosborn on January 16, 2017, 03:24:27 pm

Well done!  Two or three per year sounds pretty good to me!

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on January 16, 2017, 04:28:38 pm

Very nice George

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 16, 2017, 05:08:08 pm

Thanks, MulchMaker. Good stuff is hickory for sure. Thanks, self bow joe and Marc. mwosborn, thanks. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Stixnstones on January 16, 2017, 06:47:59 pm

Man that sure is a purty bend. very nice bow

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 16, 2017, 08:27:56 pm

Nice of you to say. Thanks, stixnstones. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: make-n-break on January 16, 2017, 09:17:21 pm

Excellent! I love a simple white wood bow.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: bentstick54 on January 16, 2017, 09:30:14 pm

Very nice George, nice to see your work. Way to get a challenging stave to bend.

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 16, 2017, 11:27:26 pm

Thanks, make-n-break and bentstick54. Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Dkincaid on January 19, 2017, 05:57:54 pm

Looks great

Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 20, 2017, 10:54:43 am

Thanks, DKincaid. Glad you like it. Jawge