Fred Arnold 2017 bow trade sign up closed, reserves needed though

[cabinetbowguy]

 Jason
 55# 65# 28-30" draw  rh

[Dakota Kid]

With the attention and accolades last year's trade received I thought for sure we'd get some of those invitational participants to sign up this year and pull double duty. Many even stated(somewhere in the 300+ pages of thread) they wished the would have gotten involved or wouldn't have been disappointed if they had. The ample build time and earlier start certainly allows for a double build. Watching a veteran bowyer's build from stave to finished bow is about the best method for advancing ones own skills IMO.

No pressure, expectations or implied obligation intended, just an observation. I just figured I'd throw it out there, which is about as much of an invitation one could hope for with this particular trade.  Sorry I just couldn't help a little good natured ribbing.

[stuckinthemud]

No sign of an Invitational so far - those guys had been busy a while by now this time last year - sure hope they don't miss out on the fun of a Trade!  Maybe they're all worn out by the North American showcase?

Hi Jason, good to hear from you, welcome!

[Red Arrow]

I'm new but if signups are still open:

R/H, 27"-29", 50-60#
Any style suitable for woodland shooting

[stuckinthemud]

Hi Red, welcome aboard.  Are you OK for staves?  How much building experience do you have? Just wondering 

[DuBois]

I been fighting the urge but I give up.
I'm in.
Anything you want to make me is fine.
RH
28" or less, 60# or less
Minnesota

[stuckinthemud]

Very glad you gave in to temptation! Welcome - loving the new emojis!

[stuckinthemud]

So, that makes 14 builders and reserves so far!  Love to make it to 20 

[Swamp Thang]

I'm sooo ready for this have two cypress staves and a pecan sapling next week gonna try to find a cedar elm and get started!!!!

[gfugal]

How long does Juniper take to cure after cutting it down? I would like to make a sinew backed Rocky Mountain Juniper bow spliced together at the handle so I can get it longer in length (maybe recurved, depending if my recipient wants it). But I still have to harvest the wood. Maybe Springbuck has some, or else I'll have to use another wood.

[stuckinthemud]

Dunno. Roughed out and hot boxed shouldn't take too long, keep weighing it til it stabilises. Few weeks maybe?

[gfugal]

Dunno. Roughed out and hot boxed shouldn't take too long, keep weighing it til it stabilises. Few weeks maybe?

What I'm thinking is harvesting it this month or next, cutting it into billets, letting it slow dry in April and May, hot boxing it in the car in June, then starting work end of June/early-July. That gives me July and August to work the bow and apply the sinew. Do you guys think that will work? Or is that just not enough time?

In the meantime, I'll try doing one of similar design with just different wood. That way if it's not enough time I'll have it as a back-up, and if I do I'll have practice.

[High-Desert]

Sinew can be applied while it's green, that way you sinew will cure and stave will dry out together. I'm working and a sinew juniper that I cut last September, and haven't had any issues.

[stuckinthemud]

Like HD said, the horn bow guys let the stave dry only for a few weeks before shaping and sinewing

[Dakota Kid]

I think the first big loss of moisture is the part not to force, I'd say a month give or take depending wood and environment. That's when a majority of the potential damage/ checking is done. Then get it near your final specs, back it, and clamp it in the caul and watch the "paint" dry. With the time line we have you shouldn't need to force it that seriously. I'd work on a plan B bow along side of that build so you don't get impatient during those times when the waiting matters.