Hazel hollow limb

[jameswoodmot]

Hitting the ground running with this one, the oil on the BL bow is t even dry yet.

Posted this stave a little while ago, nice and clean, 74” long. Goes from about three inch to a bit over 2” in diameter.
I dried the other half of it a bit too fast and it got a bit of a wibble on it so I’ll start with the straighter half.

Lopped it down to 66”

You can probably see my workshop in the photos, I’m not lacking in equipment. It’s so easy to go to the power tools it’s hard for me not to but I’m going to make this one with hand tools only.

Just going to steam and flip the tips this evening and heat treat it tomorrow

[jameswoodmot]

Never done a hollow limb before so we’ll see how this goes!

[Del the cat]

Looking good. It's a lovely, easy wood to work with isn't it?
Del

[Stickbow Felty]

Is there an advantage of doing a hollow limb or is it just for looks?

Greg

[jameswoodmot]

Yeah it’s nice Del, that is until it tears out! Does love to pull a splinter. Did t managed to help the bark on like that recurve you’ve got.

Felty, hollowing the limb is beneficial for small diameter staves as you can maintain even cross section and various other benefits that I won’t write out as you can read about them in far more detail here
https://primitive-bows.com/hld-a-new-progressive-design-for-selfbows/

[Hamish]

Hey James, I see an anvil, and what looks to be a power hammer in the background. Did you make that cool looking axe that you used to rough out the stave?

[jameswoodmot]

Well spotted Hamish. That one actually belongs to my partners mum (long story) and was made by a friend of mine, Oscar Rush https://www.oscarrush.co.uk/shop

I’m (just) retired from farriery, I’ve always been split between shoeing and a tool maker but it’s full time as of the beginning of the year.

I made the inshave and draw knife up above and here’s one of my axes.

It will probably explain the disparity between my woodworking and bow making skill!

[superdav95]

Nice lookin axe.  There are a few blacksmiths and blade smiths that have moved to the dark side. lol.  I made blades for 10 years before finding bows!   There is a section for blades and such on this forum too if interested.