She's finally done Pat
!
This is my first Osage bow made from a beautifully clean stave from the ever helpful Pat B. It's a semi-ELB, 70" long with a longer top limb. The cross section is more flat than round. She's backed with a linen table cloth (which might be cotton for all I know), and painted black with red "flames" one it, instead of the usual vines I use. The handle is built up with leather, and she's finished with spar urethane, which gives it a nice, fiery look (which, in conjunctuion with how quickly this bow shoots, earned its name). I'll cover it with a quick wiping of deer fat come season to cut the shine, but I like that "new toy look" for now
. She draws about 82# at 27.5" (my drawl length). The overlays are red bulleta, but look orange in the picture. I need a new string, but this bow is ready for hutnign season. I'm very pleased
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I learned alot from this bow, such as why Osage isn't considered a superior ELB wood (the bow moves in the hand on realease- I'm used to a "jar" upon release and don't mind it, but it was more obvious before I added the leather under the grip). Also I learned that Osage is much easier to reach weight on, and does have the excellent cast it's rumored to- two factors that really helped me while building the style of bows I like
. Also, the physcial weight of the bow helps accuracy greatly, for I managed to sink an arrow into the target at 60 yards- a new "best" for me. I definately like this wood, but if you put the extra steps into it whitewoods seem to do as well in this design. I think Osage is ebtter off as a shorter flatbow though, which will be the style I will try when I get another peice to work on
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