Hickory Bow

[George Tsoukalas]

Well, this old guy is a good for 2 or 3 per year and this is one of them. It takes me longer these days. I think I have 30+ hours in this one though I don't  keep track.

I've always just made them for me and mine.

Winter is bow making time in New England.

I like hickory. It is a good wood provided it is handled properly in the summer. I just leave it in AC when I am not shooting it. That helps to control moisture.

Jawge

[George Tsoukalas]

Sorry.
Trying to copy IMG link form Photobucket.

[George Tsoukalas]

Ok.
I had to narrow the top limb to remove some drying cracks.

[George Tsoukalas]

Unbraced.
Handle is sewn on with a baseball stitch.
Bow is 64" long and is 47# at 25".
It is about 1 1/8" at the arrow pass.

[George Tsoukalas]

Here she is braced.
Top limb had about an inch of reflex and both limbs and a bit of a prop twist.
I left the prop twist in and hated a little reflex into the bottom limb.
I heat treated.
I had a difficult time reducing the limb weight and had to do some side tillering as well as belly tillering.
Seems that bow limbs can be narrower after heat treating and heavier also.

[George Tsoukalas]

Here she is at full draw.
I tiller on a rope and pulley.
I also do digi tillering. Thanks to my wife and daughter for taking the pictures.
Thanks for taking a peak, my friends.




Jawge

[BowEd]

Sweet full draw pic.Nice bow.I like my hickory here too.First time I heat treated a hickory I was amazed as to the transformation of the bow.

[George Tsoukalas]

Thanks, Beadman.
Hickory does seem to respond well to heat treating.
Jawge

[osage outlaw]

That would make a very good hunting bow.  Nice work Jawge.

[Pappy]

Nice Jawges, got to love Hickory. 2 or 3 is about all I am good for anymore myself, involved in a lot but don't build many anymore. 
 Pappy

[George Tsoukalas]

Thanks, osage outlaw and Pappy.
Good to hear I am not the only one slowing down, my friend.
Jawge

[Wooden Spring]

Digi Tillering???

[George Tsoukalas]

Yes, wooden spring.
After I hit full draw, I make adjustments when I draw it in the hand.
I'll either have my wife or daughter take a picture, draw in front of a mirror or in front of a window at night.
I pull from the center on my rope and pulley so this compensates for it.
Actually, nothing compares with how you hold the bow.
I imagine digi tillering takes the place of having other bowyers look at your tiller.
My daughter has a pretty good eye for a tiller but this way I can get it looking the way I want while drawing. Jawge

[Parnell]

Looks good to me, Jawge!  Hope winter isn't being too rough on you.

[George Tsoukalas]

Thanks, Parnell. Winter is good. Jawge