2022 Bow Trade - complete

[Selfbowman]

Very nice work Superdave

[Kidder]

I’ve shot in what is now my primary trade bow. It’s lost it’s reflex and settle straight at a fully relaxed state. But shot it through the chrono. Get upwards of 175 with my heavy hunting arrows at the intended draw of 55 at 27.5. So that’ll work.

[superdav95]

Nice numbers. That will work. 

[superdav95]

Very nice work Superdave

Thankyou sir

[Flntknp17]

I worked a bit on my trade bow Friday when it was sunny, and today....when it was snowing.  I got a string on it and the initial tiller wasn't too bad, but I had to play with it for a couple hours to get it to settle down.  I am pretty happy with the tiller now anf very pleased with how it shoots (note: the full draw pic was taken before I played with the tiller).  I got a shelf cut in, the grip roughed out, and about 50 shots in today.  Has not lost any reflex at all yet, so I suspect it won't. 

This particular piece of osage is just fantastic.  This is my third bow from this piece and it's the best osage I have worked.  It is extremely light weight and yet springy and rings like porcelain if you tap it.  I wish I had a truckload of it!

Matt

[superdav95]

Looks awesome.  Very nice bow.

[ssrhythm]

Here are some pics of a couple of bows I have roughed out and a stave I have chased a ring on.  I'm going to be building at least three bows this summer.  One will be for a friend, and I will pick the best of the other three for this bow trade.  I will be doing most of the work in random bunches of time, as I tend to work better when I have the time to get on it and keep working.  I'll post pics when I can, but I will turn out the best bow I can.  Thanks.
;;;;

[superdav95]

Lookin good so far!   

[superdav95]

Finally got the back of my bow stained and coated with 2 coats of true oil.  It’s a transition of dark at handle to red and orange to yellow out towards the tips.  Sort of my take on a sunburst but darker.  Hope you like.  Going to add few more coats then finish up the belly with true oil and leather for handle. 

Cheers.

[stuckinthemud]

I love the way you graduated the colours,  is that staining done with brush or air-brush?

[superdav95]

I love the way you graduated the colours,  is that staining done with brush or air-brush?

Thankyou for the kind words stuckinthemud.  No it’s leather dye.  The alcohol based stuff.  I usually use it for my leather work for knives but heard of guys using it for bows too so I figured I’d try it.  Works like a charm. I apply it with a small section of clean rag.   I put down base Color yellow first over entire back surface then move to the red about half way up each limb from the handle then use black over the red and just blend it all in with dry rag to blend colours a bit. I let each Color dry for about 10mins between each Color.   I’ve had good results with this method.  Not sure if it’s proper way to do this finish but I find it works. 


Cheers

[superdav95]

Few more pic after several coats of tru oil. 

[Russ]

That looks amazing superdav!!!! Amazing job!

[superdav95]

Very kind. Thankyou

[Flntknp17]

Few more pic after several coats of tru oil.

Dave, how long does your tru-oil take to dry?  I have used it on a few bows, but it takes FOREVER (months) to dry and sometimes I wonder if it ever actually gets truly dry and loses its tackiness.  I have heard people in drier climates have better luck with it.  Thoughts?

The bow is beautiful BTW and I also love using leather dyes for the bow backs.

Matt