Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: SkyShooter on March 05, 2010, 07:39:20 pm

Title: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: SkyShooter on March 05, 2010, 07:39:20 pm

hey im new at archery in general thought id make something that wasn't a bare branch. living in California we have california black walnut and i found saplings. so i got an inch thick by 4 feet or 48 inch staff of white sapwood with a little amount of heartwood then i began a rough tiller. i used many kitchen and pocket knives leaving about a 7/10ths inch deep D shape as sapling bows typical are the handle of the belly is slightly thicker. i trimmed nocks on the circumference of the tips with a knife. later i sanded smooth with 100 grit paper for even tiller.
After adjusting tiller i was eager to put a finish on, i decided to be primitive and rubbed the husks of black walnuts on the wood leaving a medium  dark stain. to sting I used two strands of thick hemp twisted tightly,(as one strand alone broke). the bow is now shooting after 3 weeks of work and bending nicely with only a few inches of set. so here are some pictures i have just taken tanks for looking.

sky



in draw (two finger grip)

(http://i46.tinypic.com/11ghzlu.jpg)

profile

(http://i49.tinypic.com/2f099xf.jpg)

top nock

(http://i50.tinypic.com/r9hmhl.jpg)

bottom nock

(http://i48.tinypic.com/20z41o2.jpg)

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: sailordad on March 05, 2010, 07:46:46 pm

not bad,very primitive looking
i like plain bows

we need some specs,draw length,draw weight etc
and could we side an unbraced pic along with a nice side (profile) full draw so we can see the tiller better

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: michbowguy on March 05, 2010, 08:45:44 pm

 ;), yup.i like it too!

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: nugget on March 05, 2010, 08:52:07 pm

Cool !! I love making bows like that. Me and the kids make them during the summer. It's a blast

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 05, 2010, 09:21:07 pm

Very nice bow. It's usually not a good idea to cut the back of the nock. It could break there. Jawge

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: profsaffel on March 05, 2010, 09:56:27 pm

Now that, ladies and gentlemen is primitive archery.  ;) And if that's your first bow, you are better off than me. My first three bows are piled up in a corner in pieces.  :P Nice start, SkyShooter.

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: medicinewheel on March 06, 2010, 03:55:38 am

Hey that is a great start! This is what the looked like a few thousands of years before the Holmegaard...
Bitten by the bug??

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: nathan elliot on March 06, 2010, 04:25:43 am

Yes sir the first of many I think!

Nat

Title: Re: first bow black walnut sapling shortbow
Post by: DanaM on March 06, 2010, 09:14:57 am

Congrats on your first you will never forget her :)