Hi, Y'all,
Here's my latest, which is also my first recurve. I decided I wanted a fishing bow to use on my kayak. So I needed it to be shortish and lighter than my hunting bows. Also, I wanted it to be a take-down so I can throw it in a suitcase for vacations to the beach.
This was a board I found in a local lumber store, that had remarkably straight grain for Osage. I followed the grain the best I could to minimize run-off, so it has some slight bends here and there. After breaking a couple of limbs from this same board, I decided I needed to back it. I've had good luck with using Grey Triggerfish skin for backing material. It's light as a feather, practically indestructible, and I can get it for free from a seafood market. Besides, it seemed a fitting backing for a fishing bow.
I used dry heat to bend in the recurves, glued down layers of fish skin, and mated the two limbs with a metal sleeve. After wrestling with some twist and bends, I finally got it lined up and bending to my satisfaction. I added a swede wrap, a sliver of purpleheart for a strike plate, and nothin' fancy tips.
It's 60.5" N-N, and 40# @ 26", which is just about right for fishing, I figure. It shoots nicely, and I'm looking forward to chasing some carp and rays with it this summer.
Cheers,
...Tom
