Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: PAHunter on March 17, 2012, 03:14:02 am
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The Story
I built my first bow from a hickory log on grandpa’s farm. My only instruction was a copy of “The Bent Stick” by Paul Comstock and my Irish determination. I was amazed that it didn’t break in the process but I ended up producing a 26 pound bow that shoots!
After some searching online I ran into Blackhawk who lives about an hour away. He invited me over and after hearing of my lack of wood offered me an elm stave to start working on. A few months and several lessons later that stave transformed into a hunting bow. Though Chris likely doesn’t think much of it, Blackhawk is an amazing teacher and his passion for the craft is apparent. His style of few words but tremendous impact reminds me of the many martial arts masters I’ve studies under over the years. He has effectively combined key instruction with the freedom to make some decisions and mistakes.
Of course, I have made mistakes along the way. However I feel confident in saying that any good in this bow is a direct result of Blackhawk’s instruction and any flaws are a direct result of my impatience or forgetfulness. The bow is hunt worthy and the lessons I will take with me forever. Though we may be too tough of men to say it in person I want him to know I truly appreciate all he has given me.
The bow had 2 knots in the top limb which were a first for me and gave me some grief. Good learning experiences all the way. The tiller is overly positive but it evens out a good bit at full draw.
The Stats
NtN: 65
Weight: 45 @ 28
Wood: elm
Overlays: Some cool looking wood Chris gave me. ;)
Tip wrap: Sinew from my 9pt taken in archery last year (woot!)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small77306902.JPG)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small13267280.JPG)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small14258799.JPG)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small61050963.JPG)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small10638611.JPG)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small57981798.JPG)
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Nice!!!you have hit the ground running, and turning out some nice stuff ;)
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Sweet! Red elm sure has a beautiful contrast between the sapwood and the heartwood. Josh
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Excellent, if that's your first very well done indeed, as it's working pretty hard!
Del
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Great lookin' bow, nice work
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Great lookin bow and tiller!
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Yup that Chris guy is pretty cool. Very nice tiller and you can expect that bow to last for a long, long time if you treat it properly. They really like prying stuck trucks out of mud holes, picking stuff out of creeks that are just too far for your arms to reach and of course snagging branches to trim from your stand! Enjoy your bow and soak up all that ex-Michigan freak will let you in on. Those tips have a Paduk look to them.
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Wow buddy that one turned out sweet..I can't wait to see it in person....
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hey those woods,trees,n creek look familiar ::)..oh yeah,thats me backyard ;D ....it turned out good rob,and will get the job done if you can do your part.
thanks for the kind remarks about me,i appreciate it..im just an average joe that likes to try to make wood bend. 8)
yes pearl you are correct about the wood type for the tip overlays ;)
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Great job, PAH....a fine piece of work. While I have not had the individual instruction you got from Blackhawk, those are my sentiments for all those experienced bowyers on this site who daily share their knowledge with those of us who are beginners in the great endeavor to make a fine shooting tool.
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Good job !!
You learn well grasshopper !!
Both you and Chris !!
Guy
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great work PA. definitely need to put something in the freezer with it.
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Thanks much everyone! I learnt so much with this bow I'd be pretty happy to remember 1/2 of it. :P Headin to the game lands now to walk my dog and shoot some stumps. Maybe a crow too, I need some feathers for the arrows I'm working on. ;) ;D
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Awesome bow!
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I like!!!
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Thanks much everyone! At first I was really nervous about taking it out into the woods but after a few minutes I realized that's where it belongs. I'm not making bows just to look pretty on my walls after all; dem for huntin! I am used to hiking with a walking stick though so I have to be careful not to plunge the lower limb into a hill to help me climb. I stopped myself a few times from doing that today. :-\ :)
(http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small12600670.JPG)
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That is one of the reasons I don't do the skinny little tips that some like so well !!
They won't survive the abuse to get me where i am going ! !!
Guy
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I really appreciate your gratitude to Blackhawk. It is a fine example of why this passion we all share is fairly unique in the selfless sharing of experience, techniuques, materials and time that we see so frequently in primitve bow making and rarely anywhere else. Now your responsiblity will be to pass it on.
I love the bow. Have'nt worked with elm yet but a good friend from Texas(George), recently gave me an elm stave so I know I will get the chance soon enough. Did you guys heat treat it? I have heard from Marc StLouis that elm likes the heat treat. I was also curious why you wrapped the tips with sinew? Were you concerned they were too thin and wanted to make sure they were stiffer and not working?
Enough of the comments and questions, once again great job. Keep it up. Danny
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@Buckeye Guy haha very good point. I came very close to plunging it into the ground a few times today.
@Sidewinder thanks, the great people surrounding this sport is reason enough to be involved. We did heat treat it (heat gun) which helped a good bit but the top limb had some funky knots and curves to it which bent back a bit. good luck with your elm! It was nice wood to work with. Careful your vice doesn't nick it up as you go! :)
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@Sidewinder I wrapped the tips because I violated the back while shaping the overlays (first time). Gave me an excuse to use the sinew I had laying around from my buck.
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Looks good! 8)