31" Draw ELB for Xmas

[Marc St Louis]

Very nice Del.  Pity about the splice failure.  I wouldn't trust a splice on a longbow unless I was sure it wasn't working especially if the bow is going out to someone else.

[Del the cat]

Very nice Del.  Pity about the splice failure.  I wouldn't trust a splice on a longbow unless I was sure it wasn't working especially if the bow is going out to someone else.

Yeah, I'm relieved I decided to give it a good shooting in at the full 31" it would have been horrid if it folde in half on Christmas day
It was only 50# at 31".
I was a bit surprised as I've seen a similar splice of a 170# warbow! Mind it was made by Roy King.
All part of the learning experience, like the old saying goes, pride comes before a fall... doubly true in bowmaking I reckon.
If I can pull off the repair, I'll make damn sure I shoot a good 100 through it and test it back to 32"
Cheers.
Del

[bow101]

Looks like a nice shooter. I broke my 3rd. bow twice in the handle area running along the grain. At any rate I glued it where it came apart. The bow eventually snaped but not in the 2 spots that were repaired.
It was due to my inexperience in tillering.
Having said that, ya some bows can be saved.

[Badly Bent]

Hate to see that break Del, sorry. That bow was a highly polished beauty, hope your able to make the repair.
Greg

[soy]

At least it salvageable.... what a beautiful Bow! if it don't go together well for you you could always make it into it take apart, and then send it to me

[Bryce]

If anyone can repair it and make it back into a lethal weapon, it's you Derek.
Keep us updated.

[Bowman]

Very cool bow. I liked the handle area.  That kind of break/damage are not funny

[JW_Halverson]

Oh Del, what a heartbreaker!  When I saw the full draw picture, that sweet creamy sapwood against the heartwood, I thought I was seeing a glimpse through the pearly gates.  That full draw was sheer beauty.  Hope this one can be recovered. 

[mikekeswick]

What a shame....
Interesting to hear Marc say that he doesn't trust splices in elb's. I've made a few that work in the handle and are still going strong, around 60lb'ers I think. The reason most handle splices go is either shoddy mating work or them being perfect and being clamped up too hard then getting starved of glue.
I really like hide glues for splices as there is no need to clamp and they shrink as they dry pulling everything together. You only need to hold them in place until the glue gels. Mind you need to be pretty confident in your processes! People will nay say about using hide glues but they are immensly strong and as long as you use a good finish there is no need to worry about moisture isssues just get your mating surfaces perfect and let nature do her job

[Markus]

Too bad, but it happens sometimes. It has happened to me also, even with a Z splice. I was a smart ass trying to hide a fairly large knot inside the splice, did'nt work out. Markus.

[ravenbeak]

This looks like a great opportunity for learning,  and I have a funny feeling that you will be up for it.
Beautiful bow before she let go,  that photo of the yew contrast and arrow pass is stunning.

Looking forward to seeing this one come back together!

Jamie

[Easternarcher]

Just caight this break Del. Sorry about that....
I'm no expert by any means, but I also wouldn't trust a bendy handle splice without some type of reinforcement.
First thing that occured to me was to laminate a slat of horn over the next splice.If you extend it out abit it looks like a nice grip overlay too. Not really ELB traditional but insurance just the same.

[dragonman]

Bad luck Del...beautiful work anyway.... the butterfly was an omen...I believe in omens and I'm not soft!!!??

Dave