Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Marc St Louis on March 06, 2009, 11:57:28 am

Title: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 06, 2009, 11:57:28 am
This is a bow I recently finished for a guy in Sweden.  The bow is HHB heartwood, recurved, heat treated and backed with White Ash.  The Ash backing is a plain sawn strip I took from a stave I had, the reason I used a plain sawn strip is that the bow is highly stressed.  I heat treated about 4 1/2" of reflex in then glued in another 1" with the backing.  It kept about 2" of reflex after tillering and some test shooting.  The bow is 63" N to N with limbs 1 3/8" wide tapering to 3/8" nocks, the limbs are a shallow D section.  I tillered this bow to 57# @ 29" and it has quite impressive performance.  The bit of test shooting I did with a 550 grain arrow showed me that it is very fast. Here's a few pictures

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Marc-St-Louis/HHB%20Composite%20Bows/Ash%20Backed%20HHB%20Recurve/CombinationPic.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Marc-St-Louis/HHB%20Composite%20Bows/Ash%20Backed%20HHB%20Recurve/TopLimb.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Marc-St-Louis/HHB%20Composite%20Bows/Ash%20Backed%20HHB%20Recurve/Handle.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Marc-St-Louis/HHB%20Composite%20Bows/Ash%20Backed%20HHB%20Recurve/Recurve.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v355/Marc-St-Louis/HHB%20Composite%20Bows/Ash%20Backed%20HHB%20Recurve/FullDraw.jpg)
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: woody on March 06, 2009, 12:29:36 pm
Very fine work.  I am sure the gentleman well be pleased. 

Just curious...could you tell me the thickness of the limbs @ fades, midlimb, and the last point at which the limb bends?  Is it a consistent, smooth taper since different portions of the limb are under different kinds of stress.  I am asking because this has confused me with the rd design, and I would like to try one myself.  Thanks.

Again, great bow!   
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Cromm on March 06, 2009, 12:39:14 pm
Very nice work!!!!
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Hrothgar on March 06, 2009, 01:22:08 pm
Good looking bow Marc. Nice job on the tips...and 29" draw. That's thrift   8)
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 06, 2009, 01:34:06 pm
Thanks guys

Sorry woody but the bow is boxed and ready to go out so I can't give you those measurements.  It really wouldn't help you very much anyway since those dimensions can differ from one bow to another and are dependent on a number of variables
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Jesse on March 06, 2009, 02:22:34 pm
Tiller looks awesome Marc. The guy in Sweden should be really happy with that one.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: venisonburger on March 06, 2009, 02:28:13 pm
Aint that a sweet lookin bow!
VB
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Bowbound on March 06, 2009, 03:53:32 pm
I can tell by looking at it that it's fast. :)
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: cowboy on March 06, 2009, 04:16:31 pm
That's one fine looking bow Marc!
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Cooper on March 06, 2009, 05:05:59 pm
Another extraordinary bow in your typical style, I like it very much.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Justin Snyder on March 06, 2009, 05:15:31 pm
Great looking bow Marc. 

How old is that aluminum arrow? It has been in your full draw pictures as long as I can remember.  Justin
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Timo on March 06, 2009, 05:49:02 pm
 Marc,I've always been impressed with your bows ever since I saw your first one back in......(can't member):) Anyhow  that one inspired me to push the envelope a little further. I see that you continue to add to your craft and in a big way, many thanks for sharing.

Very nice bow indeed.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 06, 2009, 05:53:50 pm
Thanks guys

It's at least 10 years old Justin.  I do use others but this is one way of using arrows that will most likely never get shot
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: dragonman on March 06, 2009, 06:30:18 pm
another nice looking bow of yours, in your characteristic style
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: sailordad on March 06, 2009, 06:35:54 pm
marc that is  simply an awesome looking bow,fast too i'll bet.
theres one lucky guy in sweden.

gotta ask,was it tea time when you took the pic.
ya got the tea drinkers pinky sticking out lol

keep those awesome bows coming,i love looking at them.

                                                                       peace,
                                                                              tim
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: PeteC on March 06, 2009, 07:53:56 pm
That is a beautiful bow Marc.I like everything about it. God Bless
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: JustAim on March 06, 2009, 08:08:53 pm
Great lookin' bow Marc. 
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Ryano on March 06, 2009, 10:27:31 pm
Another sweet bow Marc. I've always wanted to make a self bow out of hhb heart wood. ;D
Do you see any difference between the heart and sapwood besides the color difference?
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Ryano on March 07, 2009, 08:46:18 am
Another question. What kind of string is that your using in the pictures? It appears to be tied in knot at the top loop?
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: DCM on March 07, 2009, 09:17:07 am
Great work as usual Marc.  You set a standard bud.  Sometimes I see your projects and wonder how or if one could do that.  Then I look at the bow and think, well somebody better tell the bow it ain't supposed to be able to do that!  LOL  Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 07, 2009, 10:39:30 am
Thanks guys

Not much of a tea drinker Tim.  I just keep a relaxed grip on the handle and the pinky is a consequence

If there is a difference I can't see it Ryan.  The string is an endless loop D-75.  I think what you are seeing is the knot of the string that is holding up the bow

The full draw picture is not quite at full draw as the camera caught me as I was getting there.  This is a picture drawn to 28" as I was tillering the bow

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: OldBow on March 07, 2009, 11:13:31 am
Got your fine weapon bookmarked for March Laminate Bow of the Month :)
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Gordon on March 07, 2009, 11:16:07 am
That's a really nice bow Marc. Did you glue or heat in the recurve tips?
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: bobnewboy on March 07, 2009, 12:32:15 pm
Wow, what a piece of work!   :o  That gives us all something to aspire to in bowmaking. Great job.

//Bob
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 07, 2009, 08:29:40 pm
Thanks for the compliments guys.  These types of bows are a lot of work to make but worth it if you like high performance.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Barrage on March 07, 2009, 09:31:18 pm
Marc, love this bow!!  It is gorgeous!  I've been meaning to ask you this for awhile, but do you heat treat prior to gluing up the backing?  Do you take the HHB down to pretty much tillered or can you remove a lot of wood after tempering without losing everything you gained?

I think I already know my March laminate bow of the month lol!
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 07, 2009, 10:39:21 pm
Travis
Yes it is heat treated before the backing is glued on.  I do tiller the core a bit before heat treating and backing but a certain amount is removed while tillering
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: AKAPK on March 08, 2009, 01:47:02 am
Mark Really sweet bow :)
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: medicinewheel on March 08, 2009, 09:55:17 am
looks like another fast one!

f.
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Barrage on March 08, 2009, 11:33:15 am
Thanks Mark
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 08, 2009, 03:51:57 pm
Thanks again all. 

Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: FlintWalker on March 08, 2009, 04:05:37 pm
Who doesn't like high performance ???
  Looks like one of your bows is supposed to look...Great!
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: hawkbow on March 08, 2009, 04:53:30 pm
I am certain that he will enjoy the way she shoots Marc, I know I love my bow you built.. of all my bows it shoots the best and has some good medicine... Hawk a/ho
Title: Re: White Ash backed HHB
Post by: Marc St Louis on March 08, 2009, 06:25:53 pm
Glad you like your bow Mike