Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: samuraiwarrior on July 01, 2007, 04:05:43 pm

Title: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: samuraiwarrior on July 01, 2007, 04:05:43 pm
It may just be time for me to share one of my bows with you guys.  Started it from a scrapped project, I had already sinew backed the board, and I don't remember what I planned on doing.  I decided to go for a holmegaard style.  It is a total of 60.75" long, and 59.5" ntn.  Draws about 55# @ 26" from belly, but I have drawn it farther than that.  Limbs are 1-13/16" wide for the working section, and that quickly tapers to 3/8" tips. 

I filed an angle on the back of the nocks, and glued on some Water Buffalo Horn.  The handle is some maple board I got at Home Depot. 

Finish is some kind of MinWax stain and seal.  I would have liked to do a coat or two of Polyurethane over it when it dried, but I was too impatient.  I keep a coat of paste wax for further insurance of water protection.  Bow has just under 1" of resting set, and almost 2" just unbraced set.

It is definitely a quick shooter, and one of my best lookers so far.  String is a 9 strand B-50, 3 bundle Flemish. 

I'll admit that I probably could have made the outer limbs a little thinner, but it has no handshock and it doesn't bother me. 

Weights around 19.5 oz.  Hope you like!

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/SideHandle.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/BellyHandle.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/TipOverlayBack.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/TipOverlayThreeQuarters.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/FullDrawBow.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/BracedBow.jpg)

Some more shots here:http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/

I'll try to get a better full draw picture, but I think that one shows it ok.  On Holmegaards, I have come to prefer the inner, wider limbs working, while the tips remain stiff.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 01, 2007, 04:24:19 pm
Very nice bow. Congratulations. Just wondering why you are using only a 9 strand string. Draw weights for wooden bows are measured at the back of the bow. You are pulling in the high 50's for poundage. If it were my bow I'd have on a12 strand string. I'd hate to see that string break on you. Jawge
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: 1/2primitive on July 01, 2007, 04:42:25 pm
That's a real nice looking bow. Good job.   I agree with George, it wouldn't hurt to go with a thicker string.
     Sean
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: 1/2primitive on July 01, 2007, 04:44:25 pm
Well, I mean stronger, but adding more strands will make it stronger and thicker so...... whatever, you know what I mean.  ;)
     Sean
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: samuraiwarrior on July 01, 2007, 05:48:36 pm
Thanks Jawge and Sean.  I just had the string laying around from another bow.  It is definitely strong enough, if you only need 4x max draw weight.  I'll probably make up a thicker string or 2 so I have a back up.  Any ideas for what to put on the handle? 
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Badger on July 01, 2007, 06:19:26 pm
Great looking bow you have there, holmgardes are hard to beat when done right, looks like you nailed this one. Steve
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Pappy on July 02, 2007, 08:00:24 am
Very nice,live the finish.Good job. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: DanaM on July 02, 2007, 08:04:02 am
Looks to be a sweet shooter, well done.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: GregB on July 02, 2007, 08:38:26 am
Good looking bow! What kind of wood is it?
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: koan on July 02, 2007, 11:04:04 am
Love it! Is this a good design for my ash boards?? There purty well cured out. ;).....Brian
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: duffontap on July 02, 2007, 01:01:17 pm
Very nice. 

As far as the string goes, B-50 is very streachy and that light of string could make it more difficult/dangerous to string, lessen cast, and increase hand shock.  If you aren't having any of those problems you may be fine. 

Again, nice work.

       J. D. Duff
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Hillbilly on July 02, 2007, 01:05:32 pm
Great looking Holmegaard. What wood is it made from?
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: samuraiwarrior on July 02, 2007, 04:20:11 pm
JD, I'm wondering how it could make it difficult or dangerous to string the bow?  I haven't had any problems with handshock or anything, I'll probably make up some thicker strings for it when I finish the handle. 
The wood is red oak and a glued on maple handle. 
Koan, I think the design would work in ash.  Make sure you have a sound back that is one ring and smooth. 
Thanks for the comments you guys.  :)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: tom sawyer on July 02, 2007, 05:12:11 pm
Very nice bow, that design is kind of tricky to execute.  Two places where you go from bending to nonbending.  Sounds like you got a good result as far as set.  Having the wokring limb short and closer to the handle, means a little set goes a long way.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: M-P on July 08, 2007, 02:42:43 am
Nice Bow!    A handle wrap isn't an absolute necessity, but if you want one you might consider beaver tail rawhide.  It's kind of a pain to work with, but it is a dark color that should compliment this bow.  Plus the stuff is incredibly tuff once its dried. 
M-P
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: chessieboy on July 08, 2007, 05:51:55 am
You said what the handle is made out of but I didnt see what the bow wood itself is.  Just wondering.  Great looking bow.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: OldBow on July 08, 2007, 12:25:10 pm
Very nice bow -hmm - what is the bow made of? got it bookmarked for July Self Bow of the Month
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: GregB on July 08, 2007, 01:32:06 pm
Quote
The wood is red oak and a glued on maple handle.
;)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: samuraiwarrior on July 24, 2007, 11:12:18 pm
I got some more pictures.  I put on a rest and strikeplate of leather.  The strikeplate was soaked with superglue, but the rest was just glued on and coated with contact cement.  Shaped with a knife and sandpaper, then burnished.  The handle wrap is some black suede sewed with brown serving thread.  I could have made it prettier, but it keeps the handle from getting wet and slippery with sweaty hands now.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/FullDrawHolmegaard.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/FullDraw.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/HandleCU.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/HandleBack.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/FullDrawGround.jpg)

Again, a few more close ups in my photobucket album, i just don't want to clog the thread with a thousand pictures.

Hope you enjoy.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: DanaM on July 25, 2007, 05:49:28 am
Looks like yer having fun and isn't that what this is all about ;D Keep em coming eh.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Hillbilly on July 25, 2007, 07:47:57 am
Good job and nice finished product. You nailed the Holmegaard tiller, too, nice full draw pics. There's just something about those Holmegaards that I really like (of course, I am an actual descendant of neolithic Europeans.)  :)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Pat B on July 25, 2007, 11:14:29 am
...and not that far removed, Hillbilly! ;D
   Like Steve said, you nailed the tiller. The Holmgaard is a favorite design of mine. They did everything right before we knew better.    Pat
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: AndrewS on July 26, 2007, 06:55:30 am
A nice bow. I like the holmegaard design/tiller very much :)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Dane on July 26, 2007, 12:21:10 pm
Same as Andrew, love the Holmegaard design, and a great looking, fun bow.

Hillybilly, I have to ask, how do you know you are directly decended from Neolithic peoples? I've heard that before, and it would be very cool to have that kind of family tree. I can go back several hundred years, but not thousands.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: SimonUK on July 26, 2007, 05:10:30 pm
What a bow! 10/10.

I'm descended directly from the neanderthals ...at least that's what my girlfriend keeps telling me.
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Dane on July 26, 2007, 05:56:26 pm
Well, Simon, at least I am higher on the evolutionary ladder, as my wife tells me I am a barbarian. Perhaps it is the fact that I don't like shaving every day? I hope so, :)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: samuraiwarrior on July 26, 2007, 08:31:15 pm
Thanks for the comments guys, I really appreciate it.
Sadly, I can only go back maybe 3-4 generations in my family.  I realized I didn't put my photobucket link in the last reply, so here it is:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/
The stuff is in the sub-album labeled My Bows and Arrows.  But the other stuff may be interesting to others as well.


Here's a force draw curve of the bow for those interested.  I guess it is a decent bow, I am just happy it doesn't stack at full draw at all.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/Samuraiwarrior/My%20Bows%20and%20Arrows/FDCurve.jpg)
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: Sabanim on July 26, 2007, 11:19:05 pm
Nice Bow Samuraiwarrior!  The tiller looks spot on!!!
Bill
Title: Re: Newly Finished Bow, Holmegaard
Post by: SimonUK on July 27, 2007, 02:00:27 pm
Nice graph... does anyone know the estimated draw weight of the original Holmegard?