From Alex: Yeah, I'm a Hendrix nut.
This is my first snake bow. I got the stave (not made from billets) on a visit to Casa de' Yazoo back in February. I got it nearly finished at the Classic, but not quite. It is 64" NTN, 1.5" wide from fade to mid-limb, then tapering to 3/8 at the nocks. It is 55# at 29.5 inches. The backing is Western DB. The tip overlays are from elk sheds I found in Wyoming in 1995. I have whiter, prettier antler around, but I really wanted to use these. The handle wrap is made from scrap from my Dad's chaps. He was a true biker and loved it like I love trad/primitive archery. The lacing is hemp, with the tag ends adorned with deer antler tips from a buck I killed in 2005, and a rattle from a canebreak my Dad killed in 1998.
As if all that wasn't enough mojo, Ryano helped me learn the rounded belly style, Sawfiler helped me learn the narrow tips style (though not as narrow as his ), GregB helped with layout, my good buddy Ethan Roderigue of Okeena Longbows lent hand to the skinning, Gary Davis supplied dacron and good conversation while I twisted the string, and of course Pappy provided the venue and good will. Hence, a name heavy with mojo. The smearing on the name signature was done on purpose-accidentally. I use gel ink and acetone as an erasor, so I can easily wipe off and re-write anything. I accidentally smeared the name before clearing over and thought it made a really cool effect, given the nature and name of the bow. So I touched up the lettering and left the smear. I really like it. I also left the check below the hanlde on purpose. I thought about filling it in with sawdust and superglue, but decided it makes a great beauty mark.
From Participants in Primitive Archery Forums:"Now that is one beautiful bow ! All that good mojo and a name the late-great Hendrix would be proud of- it HAS to be a good bow !" -Kegan
"Bear, she turned out even more stunning that I thought she would. You done an awesome job finishing it out, and the tiller is dead on. Beautiful, just beautiful!" -Saw Filer"
very nice arc on that bow, ..and great craftsmanship" -NOMADIC PIRATE "
A classic "snake," there is no doubt. Excellent craftsmanship. Well done." -DirtyDan
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