Decisions decisions . . . Curvy hackberry--GIFTED, a Conversion Story:)

[PEARL DRUMS]

Very nice Kevin. Looks like a speedster to me, and smooth.

[k-hat]

Thanks Ken, thanks PD.  Ya she is a pleasure to shoot.  Smooth and sweet.  Forgot to mention i did temper the belly, don't know if the pics show it.  That helped quite a bit I think given the strain on the limbs due to the curves. 

[toomanyknots]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[okie64]

That turned out really nice. That strung profile is beautiful. Those setback handles are always a tough tiller for me.

[k-hat]

Thanks knots and okie.  I'll admit it WAS a tough tiller, but luckily i had some good teachers help me through tillering the sister stave   GunDoc's advice on the sister was quite useful.  I also used calipers extensively through the floor tiller and after to get'r on the right track.

[SLIMBOB]

Wow!  Really sharp.  Great bend and I like that lighter finish.

[boughnut]

nice finish work on that one.  very nice looking bow over all.  Love that profile.  I have a hack berry stave I have been taking off the shelf then putting back on for some time now not knowing just what I wanted to do with it.  This gives me some ideas. 

Thanks for sharing.

[Badly Bent]

Great job on a tough piece of wood there. I could see myself trying to balance tiller until I ended up with a 26# bow by the time I got it right. Nice work
Greg

[coaster500]

That turned out great Hat!!!

Talk about making character work for you

bet it shoots great!!

[medicinewheel]

Beautiful work, really like the sideline!

[k-hat]

Thanks Slimbob, boughnut.  I was looking to darken the hackberry up just a touch, and the light walnut worked out pretty good.  Get after that hackberry boughnut, you'll love it!

Thank you badlybent, ahem it was supposed to be a 60# bow from the get-go, but given the character and the knot (beauty mark), i figured i'd better come in a little light so she's not overstrained.  That's my story and i'm sticking to it

Appreciate the compliments Coaster and medicinewheel, I think i'm becoming quite partial to character bows

[Josh B]

I am highly impressed!  That was a tough stick to tiller and you nailed.  Naming her beauty is not quite doing her justice.  Well done Sir!  Josh

[Dvshunter]

Sweet bow from a challenging piece of wood.

[k-hat]

Thanks DVS, and thanks Josh.  Again, your advice on the sister was vital on this one, else i WOULD have ended up with a 26# bow with hand shock to boot!  Y'alls kind words mean a lot, thanks again

[JW_Halverson]

From the very first picture of this project I didn't think the wood would burn straight much less make a bow! 

Thank you for proving me wrong, I love it!