Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: medicmikey on April 03, 2010, 06:12:28 pm

Title: First Bow
Post by: medicmikey on April 03, 2010, 06:12:28 pm
Hi everybody

My bowmaking story starts about 10 years ago when i was 13, and I read the first 3 TBB volumes.  This was followed by a few miserable attempts (terrible because, at the time, I didn't possess the patience required).  The itch never really went away, and after a few weeks of lurking around on this forum, I finally just went out and decided to do it.  So after a few days of work, out popped my first bow.  It's a red oak board bow.  68" NTN, 50lbs @ 27" with a 4" handle, 2" fades, 1 1/2" wide and tapering from the midlimbs to 1/2" at the tips with pin knocks.  I originally backed it with hemp twine, but it looked terrible so I tore it off and put down some burlap with TBIII.  I think it turned out pretty nice looking after staining.  The tiller is far from perfect, but I hit my target weight and settled before I ended up butchering the thing.  It took about 1 1/2" of set, but I haven't shot it in yet, gotta make some arrows first.  I have to say you guys are right and this stuff is quite addicting.  I have a second, shorter board roughed out for a lighter version.  And I'm in the process of processing some elk leg sinew to try a short ERC flatbow.  Anyway, here are some pictures of #1

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: half eye on April 03, 2010, 07:21:51 pm
M2,
       My first should have looked so good :D   Hey, it bends, shoots arrows and at 50# it will for sure make meat, good for you brother.
Rich
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: Dave 55 on April 03, 2010, 07:35:19 pm
Congratulations looks like you did a real fine job on that one,good luck to you on your future builds,you will need it with a short ERC bow. :)
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: DanaM on April 03, 2010, 07:51:24 pm
Congrats on your first bow :) Like half-eye said it should make meat :)
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: aero86 on April 03, 2010, 08:15:34 pm
looks pretty good.  my first makes 43@27 and it shoots very well! 

i must ask, how old are you now?  because your story started out just like mine!  though, i started out with jim hamm's book first, the went to the first the tbb books.  i stopped after i turned 16, then got back to it at 27!
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: Orkraider on April 03, 2010, 08:39:55 pm
looks good to me, and boy, I bet you can't wait to get that first batch of arrows made.

I want to see some pics of the others as they come along too.

good job!
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on April 03, 2010, 08:54:08 pm
That's an awesome tiller on that and the burlap looks great! Well done. Jawge
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: woodsman1031 on April 03, 2010, 09:36:59 pm
That's an awesome tiller on that and the burlap looks great! Well done. Jawge

That burlap does look great! I never thought burlap would have looked that good on a back.

Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: ricktrojanowski on April 03, 2010, 10:34:19 pm
Nice job, the tiller looks pretty darn good to me.  A fine first.  Don't get to attached to that short ERC as you are building it. ;)
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: Grunt on April 03, 2010, 10:52:19 pm
Sure is fun bringing a bow to life. Looks and sounds like you are hooked like the rest of us. Welcome aboard.
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: vtclimber on April 03, 2010, 11:01:24 pm
Looks like a nice shooting bow to me.....not sure where you are at, but spring turkey opens up here on Sat......gonna be a good weekend!!
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: El Destructo on April 03, 2010, 11:37:16 pm
Welcome to P.A....and like already stated...don't get too attached to the ERC...or any Bow for that matter...cause you are going to break a few getting better....thats a given...so just remember to learn something from every attempt...and ask all the Questions that you can...before you are already too far....only Stupid Questions here...are the Ones that are Not Asked...remember that...and have fun
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: hillbilly61 on April 03, 2010, 11:41:59 pm
Very nice looking bow. I'm just learning too, and it looks very good.
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: NTD on April 03, 2010, 11:47:50 pm
Looks great, congrats on your first bow!  I too am one who returned to a teenage obsession 10 years later.
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on April 04, 2010, 03:09:15 am
Very nice tiller; great first bow!!!
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: Lombard on April 04, 2010, 10:19:44 am
Congratulations on your first bow, way to go.
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: medicmikey on April 05, 2010, 01:31:17 pm
looks pretty good.  my first makes 43@27 and it shoots very well! 

i must ask, how old are you now?  because your story started out just like mine!  though, i started out with jim hamm's book first, the went to the first the tbb books.  i stopped after i turned 16, then got back to it at 27!

I'm 23 now.  Fortunately I seem to have a lot of spare time on my hands for the spring and summer to really get it to my new hobby.  Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of good bow wood in the middle of ND.  The good news is that I found a hardwood lumber store about 90 minutes down the road with a very broad selection, so that should keep me in business for a while.  I've only ever been hunting a few times without much success, but I'm gonna try to spend some time scouting this summer and hopefully tag a whitetail or two come fall.  Thanks for the nice comments guys; I'll be sure to keep you all posted on following projects.
-Mike
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: youngbowyer33 on April 05, 2010, 02:51:18 pm
great tiller
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: Parnell on April 05, 2010, 03:31:29 pm
Way to go, congratulations!
Title: Re: First Bow
Post by: OldBow on April 05, 2010, 03:32:02 pm
Good job and bookmarked for April BOM fun.