Just an old fart here to let evėryone know how the primitive "bug"set in with this contributor. "Momma's purse" came about when I finally finished a bamboo backed ipe English ( Welsh) longbow. It seems the most difficult part of the project was the handle since I cut two pieces of store bought leather too shy of the desired size. With frustration setting in, I was'nt about to hit the archery supplier up for another piece of leather, so I turned to a real primitive source - my wife's purse. She didn't really take too kindly of my suggestion at first thinking I was after the leather in her new purse which I bought her for Christmas. However, she saw my dejected look and came to my rescue anyway with an old one which I subsequently took apart. And Voila! my handle or Momma's purse, and enough material for my next one. This all started when I made the mistake of joining a workshop given by Marc St. Louis and made an elm selfbow, so Marc, thanks once again for introducing me to the world of bow building and it is so great when your wife becomes part of the project. I just had to show you the photos of "Momma's purse"" which is , 72" ntn, 60lbs @30"draw
