Author Topic: 2025 Junior Bow Trade (Read 3760 times)

Aaron1726 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2025, 12:15:06 pm »

Appreciate the kind words Steve. I can't wait to get going on it and to see what everyone else builds as well!

Aaron1726 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2025, 11:29:13 pm »

Made a small bit of headway today. Had some time at lunch to get the hatchet out and rough the profile.

stuckinthemud · « **Reply #17 on:** April 15, 2025, 06:57:07 am »

Looking good. Love the hatchet, I've not seen any like that before.

How's everyone else doing?

Aaron1726 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2025, 10:22:15 pm »

Got some more time to work on my bow today. Got out the sureform and cleaned up the sides down really close to my layout lines. Got a bucket full of shavings for fire starting.

Then I marked out the side profile. Was going to reduce the thickness by sawing perpendicular every couple inches and the pop the bits off with a chisel, but since I don't know if I'll end up with any more vine maple I decided to saw it and save the belly trimmings. Took a while, but with patience, a good pull saw, and some wedges I managed to get the first limb thinned and it's starting to bend a little on the floor.

Now I have to tackle the tricky limb. Not sure if I can cut those curves or not. For another day...

Aaron1726 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2025, 10:23:19 pm »

Few more pics

paulc · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2025, 06:29:46 pm »

I am working on 2 bows at once but I am beginning to believe I am self-sabotaging by picking staves with issues beyond my skill set....The hackberry has been in the rafters for years, I started it forever ago but was too aggressive dealing with a knot on edge of limb and when I handle it I am pretty sure it is kindling(at least as a hunting bow). But I paid money for it so I don't want to let it go...maybe if I keep picking at it bit by bit I will find a bow.

The Chinese elm is a branch from my neighbor's tree that has been in the rafters for 18months or so. I am trying to reduce it to almost bow dimensions and then try to straighten it out...if that works I'll move forward with it.

Or switch to some of my river birch....

paulc · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2025, 06:31:20 pm »

Chinese elm...think it is straighten-able??

Aaron1726 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2025, 10:39:06 pm »

I have to say that it amazes me what heat can do to wood, so good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out

Muskyman · « **Reply #23 on:** **Today** at 12:26:37 pm »

I’m not an expert, far from it but, maybe try using steam to straighten that. I’ve had better luck with steam on major bends like that. I’ve watched videos of guys putting recurves in limbs with dry heat and when I try it it ends up in the firewood pile. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.