Author Topic: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?  (Read 5938 times)

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Offline Forest_Farmer

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I just finished my second bow that started as a Osage blank from Matt W.  This will be a HS graduation gift for my nephew and I would like to write in the weight and draw on the belly.  I've finished the bow with 7 coats of spar urethane.  Any suggestions on what to use?

Thx, forest farmer
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Offline DavidV

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2014, 07:16:27 pm »
India Ink or a woodburner would be my suggestion. Sloppy writing can make an otherwise nice bow look like crap.
Springfield, MO

Offline bubby

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2014, 07:24:55 pm »
I've been using a nib pen and india ink or the have lots of colors, white is great on dark bows and osage as it ages
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline huisme

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2014, 07:35:57 pm »
I usually go with a wood burner on the fade, need to get more India Ink for the times I prefer or need to go that rout. I usually only mark the bottom limb, keeping the limb the archer will be looking at more clear of writing.
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Offline Loope

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2014, 10:29:04 pm »
Ed,

I got my stuff at a Michael's Art Supply store in the calligraphy section.  I bought a pen nib set (wooden handle with a few removable nibs) and some bottles of ink.  I have used the india ink (black, permanent, will clog up a fountain pen) and also white acrylic.

After putting a few coats of tru-oil on the bow, I wrote the bow info, let the ink dry, and then added a couple more coats over the top for extra protection.  I think it was on PA that I saw the recommendation for white acrylic on osage so that when the wood ages, the white really looks good, and was more visible than black - I haven't tried this yet, but the pictures looked good.

By the way, I recommend practicing on a piece of scrap wood with a similar finish if you have not used a nib pen.  They only take a very light pressure compared to a ball point.

Michael

Offline Forest_Farmer

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2014, 11:22:36 pm »
Lots of good advise, thanks to all of you. Loope did mention that there was pics posted on PA , does anyone know how to look those pics up of the white ink on Osage?  That sounds nice and may try getting some nib pens and India ink or acrylic.
I may even try posting a pic when I'm done, if it doesn't look like it was done by a 1st grader with a crayon.
Thx,
Ed
When I stop learning please put me in a box!

Offline bubby

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2014, 12:08:14 am »
You can get a Speedball nib pen with ink for $6 at mikeals
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
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Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2014, 07:31:49 am »
Shoot Ed, I had my marking pen at Marshall. You could have used it there. Its a Nano Liner from a craft shop. Costs about $2 and stays bold and black, plus it will mark on anything.
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Offline mullet

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2014, 09:18:51 am »
I use fine point, .08 Pentel Slicci pens from Hobby Lobby in gold, silver, and copper. Then I spray a few coats of Poly over it once the pen ink dries.
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Offline Loope

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2014, 09:35:02 am »
Here is the link to the PA post, hope this works:  http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php?topic=35253.0

Offline Gordon

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #10 on: May 28, 2014, 01:17:10 am »
Industrial Sharpie pen works really well and is easy to use.
Gordon

mikekeswick

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #11 on: May 28, 2014, 04:10:48 am »
Industrial Sharpie pen works really well and is easy to use.

I've found sharpies to be a bit of a pain...the nibs are too fat and beware they dissolve in acid catalyst finishes. You can of course use a coat or two of shellac/ca to stop this but Indian doesn't need you to do this extra step.

Offline Pappy

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #12 on: May 28, 2014, 08:45:39 am »
Same as Gordon, fine tip Mike. ;) :)
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Offline Gordon

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #13 on: May 28, 2014, 09:15:17 am »
Quote
the nibs are too fat and beware they dissolve in acid catalyst finishes.

While that is true of regular Sharpie pens, but not the case with Industrial Sharpie pens.
Gordon

Offline PEARL DRUMS

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Re: What is the best or most common way to mark bow draw weight?
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2014, 09:28:06 am »
Never seen one Gordon. Are they shelved in the same area all the other markers and pens are in the stores?
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.