Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: peasant1381 on August 16, 2010, 06:30:27 pm

Title: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 16, 2010, 06:30:27 pm
From a weekend shoot 3 weeks ago. Bow made and owned by Oscar Maisel, NZ's only pro bowyer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDRSCGCbby0&feature=channel
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 17, 2010, 04:48:52 pm
Ok..... What about this one then:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38BP9uH9Nv8



Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: nidrinr on August 18, 2010, 02:01:45 am
Looks like a very nice bow, do you have any more info on it? -And how far did he shoot those arrows?
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 18, 2010, 03:09:23 am
I never thought anyone was going to ask!! Thanks.

It's a hickory,purpleheart,Ipe lam. It wasn't quite finished off - no horn nocks and not the right string fitted. The distances weren't that brilliant. It put the 1/4lber about 170 yards and the two torpedos (85g) around 200 yards. I'm sure it's capable of much more. I should have the opportunity to have another session with it in a couple of weeks.

Here's another pic

(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k95/peasant1381/140lb.jpg)

Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: medicinewheel on August 18, 2010, 04:39:19 am
Nice tiller!
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: nidrinr on August 19, 2010, 07:59:27 pm
Really nice tiller on that one from what I see both on the pic and in the short movieclips. Your choice of woods are good for a bow in this weight, I would have really loved to try that bow! (Too bad you litterally live on the complete opposite side of the world though..)
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 19, 2010, 09:26:11 pm
Oscar uses that combination on quite a lot of his bows and he sometimes substitutes bamboo for the hickory.
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: alanesq on August 20, 2010, 04:03:26 am

That is the wood combination I have used on my laminate bows (140/130lb)

In fact yesterday I took my old one (very poorly made with a twist in it) and shortened it to 75.5", just to see what would happen
it took it and came out at spot on 140lb
although did eventually explode due to back failure (annoyingly after I had decided it was ok and varnished it etc. !)

Ipe seems to just take whatever you throw at it, it is the backing which can be difficult
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: Yeomanbowman on August 20, 2010, 07:07:13 pm
Keith,
It may be just the angle it was filmed but it seemed that the trajectory of your shots were a little low and that may account for the distances you mention.  The bow looks really pretty and lively, look after her!

Cheers,
Jeremy
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: Lombard on August 20, 2010, 08:35:08 pm
I can't pull those heavy bows, but it sure looks like a good one.
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 20, 2010, 09:08:39 pm
The angle was probably too low as you suggest Jeremy, I was concentrating more on just getting the bugger back at the time :D
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: kiwijim on August 25, 2010, 02:21:20 am
Kia ora guys.
I recognise that bow! ;D. Our friend 'Africa' is putting out some nice work!!!
But, to give credit where credit is due, the 1st 140#  plus bow(and honest 143#@28) in NZ that I know of was built by Patrick James in Hamilton in the mid 1980's. It is no war bow though, rather a Howard Hill inspired Rhino/Cape buffalo hunter. 72" Amercan longbow (70 NTN), brown glass and cane core with an ebony riser. He also made a beautful set of purple heart arrows for it. These are fletched with white goose pinions and tipped with Howard Hill broadheads. I handled this bow a couple of years ago but could only get it back to about 24". It is, like all of Paddys bows, an absolutely stunning piece of craftsmanship; perfectly made, tillered and finished . I shall try to convince the reclusive Paddy if I can take and post some photos. (if the moderators will let me)
Regards
James
"Not but bee stings be mine arrows"
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: kiwijim on August 25, 2010, 02:28:18 am
My previous post is in no way meant to detract from Oscars achievement or excellent work.

James
"Not but bee stings be mine arrows"
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on August 26, 2010, 06:55:53 pm
1st 140lb war bow then ;)
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: ozzee on September 08, 2010, 09:45:51 pm
HeHe thanks Guys !!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: Jutte on September 21, 2010, 01:09:30 am
Hi - can you tell me where he is getting the timber from in New Zealand for the laminate 140lb bow?
 A few years ago I made a bow out of a Manuka tree - seasoned the timber etc etc.
Made a flat bow out of it for the nephew - was about 40-45 lbs and worked a treat - it
could even handle my draw length.
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: cryostallion on September 28, 2010, 10:46:54 pm
im happy to see there are some traditional bowyers in NZ.  I live in massachusetts- where the good bow wood's plentiful and I can just harvest it off my land whenever.  Just getting started in making my own bows, i'm getting worried about the bow wood situation once i get to NZ.  i'm planning to move somewhere on the south island.  What can you all tell me of the wood situation there- what's good for bows and how abundant is it and in what regions?
thanks  :)
Title: Re: 1st 140lb bow in NZ
Post by: peasant1381 on September 29, 2010, 01:19:11 am
You'll probably get the best info by sending Ozzee a PM.