sidewinder buildalong

[Sidewinder]

Sorry Stix I got mixed up on whos bow I was looking at. Great job on a tough stave. Im glad I could play a small part in your developement as a bowyer. You handled the challenge better than I would have thats for sure.

[Stixnstones]

Just finished er up. 60" rawhide backed, flipped tips with ipe overlays. Ipe lams thru handle, buckskin handle wrap with deer leg bone arrow pass(thanx for the idea Carson) 1 coat shellac, 4 coats tung oil, 4 coats johnsons paste wax.

[Stixnstones]

Sorry , havin trouble with photobucket, wont let me post pics

[jeffp51]

The fast workers are likely done, now for the slower guys.  I had my neighbor help me cut off the belly pieces.  the handle area of the primary stave takes a dip that made cutting or splitting a single full-length piece off.  I will try to clean up the backs of the billets and splice them together.  I thought about turning the billets end for end, so that I splice the former tips into the handle.  How deep should splices be?  3"?  4"?

[Halcon rojo]

I could use some advice. I am chasing a ring on my sidewinder stave and there is a bump that I am thinking I should avoid. I gave it a wide birth for now because I think there is a knot under it. What do you guys think? Should I take the wood off or just clean up around this bump and leave a layer of wood over it? My fear is that I will end up uncovering the knot if I mess with it.

[DC]

Is this the bottom of a knot or just a piece of fluff?

[Halcon rojo]

Just a piece of fluff. No part of a knot is visible. Just the raised surface on what will be the back of the bow.

[Blaflair2]

Take it off, it will just be a bump, follow the profile on the belly, the rings will tell ya, just go slow around raised areas. If u leave that on its gonna pop off, u want one clean ring   

[Sidewinder]

I agree. Just chase it to one ring and then follow the contour on the belly when you reduce the belly. It will give nice charactet. Even if it were a knot, they are not evil and can be delt with. I have found that if a knot on the back is not violated but follows the same ring it will be fine and stand proud.

[lebhuntfish]

Here is some inspiration for you. This stave is one I will be working on for some time. Patrick

[jimmy]

Lebhuntfish, I'm looking forward to seeing that bow!

[lebhuntfish]

Thanks Jimmy! May be a while, there is some questionable stuff going on with it. But the back ring is solid. It already has 3 holes from knots. But this one isn't a sidewinder stave. Just posted it for Halcon rojo to see. Patrick

[Halcon rojo]

Thanks guys,that helps. I'll post some more pictures when I get that ring worked out.

[Puckaway]

Mine is done! I've got to get some pictures up. I'm taking "Knotty" turkey hunting tomorrow.

[jeffp51]

Well, Danny I finished the stave you sent me, and I have had great fun doing it.  I ended up using it as my trade bow because it was the best piece of wood I had.  I am really proud of how it turned out and I am glad I will be able to pass it on, but sorry to see it go.  Final dimensions are 67" nock to nock and 58# @ 29".  there is a little bit of snakey in the bottom limb that gives the bow a touch of character. The tips are some sort of african black wood/ebony substitute--very hard and very pretty.  I liked the black and gold contrast and decided to continue the theme with the grip.  I have always admired Simson's bows with their sharp-edged fades that transition to soft curves, so I tried to imitate them here.  I hope he is flattered. 

The recipient is one of the many avid hunters on this site so I finished the bow with 8 coats of tung oil rubbed down with pumice to create a satin finish like Gordon's build-alongs.  Orion the hunter is meant as a talisman to bring luck in the hunt.  I know some think he is holding a shield, but it always looks like a bow to me.

Thanks for looking and thanks for everything I learned from everyone on this site