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Author Topic: Tragedy strikes!  (Read 1654 times)

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Offline WhistlingBadger

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Tragedy strikes!
« on: June 01, 2022, 03:07:05 pm »
Got the juniper/sinew bow tillered to about 30# when this happened.





I think I know what happened.  There was a tiny gouge at this spot, only 5/100" deep, but I could feel it with my fingers.  I was keeping a close eye on it, lest it become a hinge.  What I didn't realize was that there was a knot at the same spot.  I guess the two together were too much.

I learned a ton from this, and at least I already have a good hunting bow for next fall, so there's no pressure to get a replacement done for this one...but man.  What a bummer.
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Thomas
Lander, Wyoming
"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
~Louis L'Amour

Offline superdav95

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2022, 03:17:39 pm »
That’s too bad. That sucks. 
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Sticks and stones and other poky stabby things.

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Offline WhistlingBadger

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2022, 03:37:45 pm »
Yeah.  This bow was a collection of firsts:  First time harvesting my own wood, first time working with juniper (very, very different from hickory!), first time steaming in recurves, first time using heat to remove prop twist, and first time sinew backing.  I honestly would have been amazed if SOMETHING hadn't gone wrong.  But I'm still pretty bummed.  Good news is I've got one more good stave in the garage.  And a whole mountain full of others...
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Thomas
Lander, Wyoming
"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
~Louis L'Amour

Offline bradsmith2010

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2022, 04:00:04 pm »
I blew up a couple of juniper bows, I think it can be a bit tricky,,
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Offline RyanY

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2022, 08:54:07 pm »
I think I’ve heard others have similar experiences if I remember correctly. Seemed that the early weak spot, even if not noticeably bad, blew up later in the tillering process. Wonder if it is unique to juniper.
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Offline BowEd

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2022, 09:20:19 pm »
Sorry to see that happen.How much reflex was your bow in before tillering?
It's hard to notice but after time a person does start to get a thicker skin about these bows.
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BowEd
You got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything.
Ed

bownarra

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #6 on: June 02, 2022, 01:42:41 am »
More sinew was needed!
Sinew backed juniper bows need a LOT of sinew if you are going to strain the belly appropriately :)
A 60" bow would need at least 3 - 3 1/2 ounces.
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gutpile

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #7 on: June 02, 2022, 09:32:52 am »
soak it and strip the sinew off.. gut
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Offline Buckskinner

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2022, 10:29:30 am »
That's a bummer!  But why go to juniper if you have hickory available...
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bownarra

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Re: Tragedy strikes!
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2022, 01:45:24 am »
Quote from: Buckskinner on June 02, 2022, 10:29:30 am
That's a bummer!  But why go to juniper if you have hickory available...

sinew backed juniper is one of the all time amazing combos. :) just make sure you add plenty of sinew.
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