Baptism of breakage

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

My first self bow. Hickory.
A little knot did me in. I thought seriously about not using the stave, but being a newbie, I went ahead.
I floor tillered, added a long string and tillered. I mean, it was looking really good. I spent a good while working it and made up a short string. About 2" shorter than the nocks. I worked it a while with that, pulling and letting it work.
Then I tied the string about 3" short.
I was putting that string on when it gave way.
time to start working another stave.

[okie64]

Bummer, it happens though. Kinda surprised hickory broke like that, even around a knot. Was it violated around the knot area?

[twisted hickory]

I have only made 4 bows so far so I haven't experienced breakage....Yet. The two I have yet to finish may well be one, or two of the first. I have a combstock design that is going to be 55 at 27 and a ladies bow that will be 30 at 24. The ladies bow will have little 1/4 inch nocks so it might go on me. Or my sister in law whom I am making it for

[lostarrow]

Looks like a bit of "experience " you got yourself there! Don't worry ,there will be plenty more as you push the envelopes

[Dan K]

Sad pic Mikeeee.  Happened to me a couple of weeks ago.  You have a great attitude though to jump right back on the horse!  The next one will rock for sure.  On my second attempt I didn't care so much so I just jumped in broke a sweat and just did it!  It really makes you understand what all these kind folks out here are telling us what to do and not to do though.  Take it slow my friend!  Can't wait to see you shootin' your first!  Cheers!

I just posted a few of mine in another thread.  Take a look.

[George Tsoukalas]

Was it a board? Jawge

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

Was it a board? Jawge

No sir. A stave from a 6" Shagbark Hickory that I fell a while back.
The picture does not show the little knot right where it broke.

I have 3 more staves from that log. Time to skin the bark off one.

[dwardo]

Its been a while since I properly broke one rather than just crushing it, seems like I am not trying hard enough 

[The Gopher]

i didn't know hickory could break,

[Mikeeeeeeeeee]

i didn't know hickory could break,

Hickory never met me before............................

[twisted hickory]

LOL! I have abused the heck out of hickory and yet to break it yet, big hinges and all. I thought it was near impossible to break
The staves I have are knot free....However I have a real knotty piece of elm that will be a project this summer if it survives the tiller tree torcher test it should make a good bow with lots of character
Just build a small fire outta the pieces brew a cup of coffee over the fire and start with the design plans on paper.
Greg