Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: zenmonkeyman on August 15, 2010, 08:11:18 pm

Title: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on August 15, 2010, 08:11:18 pm: The backstory: I'm at Liquidation World, snooping through a bin of sturdy broomsticks. Wife: "You're looking for one to make a bow out of, aren't you." Me: "Uh...."

My builder friend Eric suggests the wood may be maple. I really don't know for sure. The bow is 17#@21", and if memory serves, is 46" T2T. After I confirmed that the broomstick could be tillered, I wondered what to do with it. I decided to give it to the kid a few doors down, just because he's friendly and always greets me through the screened window when I walk by and he's careful and gentle with my little wiener dog. So I grabbed some underspined straightened tomato stakes and made him some arrows too. Moulted goose feathers, and painted chopstick blunts.

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/zenmonkeyman/IMG_4677ec_1.jpg)

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/zenmonkeyman/IMG_4679ec_1.jpg)

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/zenmonkeyman/IMG_4676ec_1.jpg)

Kieran was having trouble keeping the arrow on the string, so his sister stepped in for the "full" draw shot:

(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j191/zenmonkeyman/IMG_4684_1.jpg)

I have a video of Kieran giving it the ol' college try, though:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i8n5tNzSvw

And a video of me trying her out myself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFytmLl74iM
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: gmc on August 15, 2010, 08:15:28 pm: Nice story, love the bow and the arrows. Thanks for posting.
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: nugget on August 15, 2010, 08:38:29 pm: Very cool. I love seeing the kids faces when they get a bow.
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: El Destructo on August 15, 2010, 08:50:32 pm: Nice Bow...and great Gesture....Kids are what We make of them...
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: profsaffel on August 15, 2010, 09:50:31 pm: Great way to make a kid's bow! And I love the design on the back.
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on August 15, 2010, 10:52:22 pm: Thanks for all the nice comments guys! And for not mentioning the "tiller", haha.
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: Josh on August 15, 2010, 11:01:50 pm: Cool bow Zen! That's what I love about this site, everyone is doing their part to keep this tradition alive by passing it on to children. Got your bow bookmarked for August Self Bow of the Month too. :)
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: denny on August 16, 2010, 01:32:16 am: Whats the wife sweep the floor with now ? O:) Great job!!! Denny
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: Del the cat on August 16, 2010, 04:29:49 pm: Yeah, but anyone can shoot a critter if you put it in box first. ::)
Just kiddin' nice little bow. Good to se kids playin' like they should!
Del
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: Diligence on August 16, 2010, 11:22:20 pm: Good job Garrett. Knowing a bit about where you live, and if I can judge the circumstances, I'll bet that gesture on your part means a lot to that boy, his sister and his mom.

Well done Sir.

J
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: ricktrojanowski on August 17, 2010, 10:00:34 pm: Great idea for a kids bow and a very nice gesture. I'm sure you made that kids day. ;D
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: PeteC on August 17, 2010, 10:10:01 pm: Very nice bow,and what a great gift.He'll never forget it,or you either. God Bless
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on August 17, 2010, 11:05:51 pm: Thanks guys! I appreciate the generous words. I only hope the equipment survives until Kieran matures to the point he can actually shoot!
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: Diligence on August 17, 2010, 11:24:32 pm: That's the great thing about DIY or home made equipment....you can always make more!

J
Title: Re: Broomstick bow/ Kieran's bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on August 18, 2010, 12:44:53 am: Very true, but I'm moving back to MB in a month, so he'll need to find somebody else to repair/replace his kit.