Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: backgardenbowyer on July 30, 2007, 05:03:26 pm

Title: two contrasting bows
Post by: backgardenbowyer on July 30, 2007, 05:03:26 pm

Hi there - I've been enjoying this site for some time, especially the beautiful bows some of you make.  I've only been making bows for just over a year - mostly laminated ELBs, but have just finished my first truly primitive bow, made from an elm log about 3" diameter.  It's such a difference experience from making the laminated bows which feel much more engineered.  Anyway here is the elm primitive, and my standard stick for comparison.  Both bows are used for NFAS field archery - so now I can shoot in both English Longbow and Primitve bow classe.

Elm (I think it might be wych elm) - 65 1/2" nock to nock, 41lbs # 27", just under 2" wide above the fades, with a steeply narrowing semi-holmegaard style section about 9" from each tip.  The stave "propellered" whilst it was drying.  I steamed the worst out, there is still some twist in there but it doesn't seem to make much difference.

ELB  lemonwood belly (billets joined in handle), balau core, and hickory backing, black buffalo horn nocks and arrow plate.  71 1/2" nock to nock, 51lbs # 27".

I like them both, but it's much less tiring shooting a long field round with the light primitive bow.

Hope you enjoy them, advice welcome - still very much a beginner.



[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: medicinewheel on July 30, 2007, 05:51:49 pm

tiller is looking good on the elmbow! nice bow...
frank

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: 1/2primitive on July 30, 2007, 06:52:44 pm

I second Frank's tiller comment, looks great. Very neat bow there, how does it shoot?
     Sean

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: DanaM on July 30, 2007, 07:48:20 pm

Welcome aboard, I agree tiller looks very good on the elm bow. But I have to ask about the handle on the ELB what is it?

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: SimonUK on July 30, 2007, 08:00:37 pm

The elm bow looks great and all those knots add to its appeal.

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: backgardenbowyer on July 30, 2007, 08:05:17 pm

Thanks guys - the elm bow shoots very sweet once I'd got the brace height right: but I have to remember to aim higher as I'm used to the heavier longbow which is faster. 

The handle on the longbow is some stuff from the local haberdasher - sort of padded cord, makes a really comfortable grip.    Stan

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: Pappy on July 31, 2007, 05:49:59 am

Very nice both times.The tiller looks great on the selfbow.Good job.
   Pappy

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: OldBow on July 31, 2007, 12:01:20 pm

Great looking bows. Any chance of seeing the lemonwood laminant cranked back for August Backed Bow of the Month?
Got your elm self bow bookmarked for August Self Bow of the Month.

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: backgardenbowyer on July 31, 2007, 04:59:08 pm

Thanks for your comments guys - very encouraging to a new comer.

Here is the elb on the tiller at full draw.  I put about 2" of reflex into the stave when it was laminated and there is no more than 1/2" string follow now when rested.

Stan

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: jamie on July 31, 2007, 08:31:40 pm

very nice . really like the elm bow. peace

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 31, 2007, 09:37:35 pm

Fanatastic! I love the tillers. Jawge

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 31, 2007, 09:38:39 pm

Pretty "fantastic" too. :) Jawge

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: a finnish native on August 13, 2007, 04:54:29 pm

very neat man. keep up the work. planing on hunting with hem?

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: Jbell on August 13, 2007, 09:35:59 pm

I second that George, fanatastic! ;D Really nice job on those two bows. Tiller looks nice on both.

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: a finnish native on August 14, 2007, 04:50:44 am

oh and would it be possible to see unstung sideprofiles?

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 14, 2007, 07:43:13 am

Nice bows. Very well done

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: bobnewboy on August 14, 2007, 09:31:01 am

Hello BGB,  nice work on the bows.  Which NFAS clubs are you shooting at?  I might see you soon with my ash flatbow, or my short ipe/bamboo flatbow.  Selfnocks rule!

Bob in Surrey (but currently in Dublin)

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: AndrewS on August 14, 2007, 04:18:31 pm

Thanks for showing two very fine bows!

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: snedeker on August 15, 2007, 10:34:19 am

good to see those bows

Dave

Title: Re: two contrasting bows
Post by: OldBow on August 15, 2007, 11:32:31 am

Very nice bows. Looking forward to seeing both for self bow and backed bow of the month for August.