Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Dauntless on June 12, 2009, 06:27:08 pm

Title: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Dauntless on June 12, 2009, 06:27:08 pm
I tend to make them in batches.  I didn't build the entire bow in one afternoon.

This is the first time I work red oak and use a drawknife.  I had lots of fun making this one although red oak is no match to my sacred cow sugar maple.

The bow is 58.5" nock to nock, 2" at the fades with tips 0.3" wide.  The handle is 1.25" wide and just barely bends.  It can be felt flexing a little at full draw.  She pulls 60# at 26" though I might be able to draw another inch or two.  I probably won't because the board has some grain runoff, the bow almost has 2" of set and 60lbs is plenty for a skinny guy like me.

The cherry tips I had the most fun shaping.  At the ranges I'm accurate, stabbing my quarry would be just as effective.

The crudely painted images are copied from pictograms found along some rivers that flow into Lake Winnipeg.

I just realized I look a little angry in all my full draw pictures...   Let's blame the lighting.

(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9233.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9232.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9231.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9229.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9234.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9241.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9240.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9242.jpg)
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/Dauntlessbows/IMGP9245.jpg)
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: woodstick on June 12, 2009, 06:41:05 pm
that is nice and ur right u need to eat a little more u bout to blow away and it makes us other people look fat. ha ha
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: sailordad on June 12, 2009, 07:48:51 pm
60 lbs from a board bow :o

i know people do it,but not me ;D
 you are right,do you have a few anger mgmt issues we should know about lol    jk

hey dont worry aboue making people look fat,you dont make me look fat.hell for the most part we have the same build.
lean mean bow making machines ;D

oh ya  i like the tiller on that stick too
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Aosda on June 12, 2009, 10:50:14 pm
Man those are some skinny tips :o .  If your string breaks, you can always switch to spear hunting.  Javelin maybe ;)
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Ryano on June 12, 2009, 11:38:22 pm
The tiller looks excellent on that red oak board!  ;D
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Pat B on June 13, 2009, 12:49:08 am
Simple but effective. The way I like them. ;D Nice circular full draw.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: tumalt on June 13, 2009, 02:03:51 am
I have to admit that red oak is my least favorite bow wood (just or aesthetic reasons...I've never liked the look of oak even for furniture), but that is an outstanding looking board bow.  I love the shape, tiller, and the tips look great. I think it would look even better with a handle wrap.  Nice work.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: medicinewheel on June 13, 2009, 02:38:27 am

Fantastic full draw and impressive draw weight for an unbacked board bow!!!!
Really nice tips, too.
you could build up an handle from leather for more comfort and contrast and still stay bendy in the handle.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Timo on June 13, 2009, 09:07:56 am
Nice bow.Tips are well done.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Marvin Campbell on June 13, 2009, 09:33:47 am
Tiller looks great, you really got that board bending.  The design of a pyramid bow is neat, never made one.  Seems like the shape would make the tillering process come around faster.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: DanaM on June 13, 2009, 10:59:02 am
Excertional job on a board bow, well done eh :)
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: OldBow on June 13, 2009, 11:26:57 am
Very nice and a great candidate for June Self BOM fun.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Dauntless on June 13, 2009, 12:32:05 pm
I'm glad you guys like it, now let's just hope it stays in one piece.  So far my only board bows to do so are backed or chased to a ring.

Tillering wide rift sawn wood like this isn't the easiest thing.  There are no rings feathering out and even if there were, the thickness barely changes throughout the length.

Red oak gets a bad rep because it is so often used in cheap furniture encased in a thick glossy finish.  I don't particularly like the open texture of it.  My arrows don't seem to mind.
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: cowboy on June 13, 2009, 07:12:34 pm
Great looking bow Dauntless! Has a very nice bend to her ;).
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: PeteC on June 14, 2009, 08:04:35 am
Awesome board bow!!Looks great! Be careful with those nocks though,you could put your eye out. ;D God Bless
Title: Re: A short bend in the handle pyramid bow
Post by: Pappy on June 15, 2009, 06:31:17 am
Good looking bow,very nice work. :)
   Pappy