Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: gstoneberg on June 22, 2012, 01:39:58 am
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My granddaughters are home from the Philippines. We went out the other day and spotted a snake hit on the road, stopped and skinned it real quick. Marcela asked what we were going to do with it and I said we'd put it on a bow. She asked if we could make a bow for her (she's 8 years old) and I said sure. So, when we got back home we headed for the shop. First, we tacked the snake on a board. It is a beaut, jet black with orange overtones.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7383432802_7ce9857ed4.jpg)
Then, we picked a very thin osage split I'd taken to a growth ring a year or so ago. She started watching me work and held on to the bow to keep it in the vice while I thinned with the draw knife, but it didn't take long for her to get on the draw knife. She's still learning how to use it, but there's no lack of energy and motivation.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7382722628_4dc8af3f3d.jpg) (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7417760440_763a5882e0.jpg)
Once we got it bending Marcela really liked the tillering setup and pulled the bow so we could look at it.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7417761298_93c8abd0bc.jpg) (http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5319/7417762118_8d5f3737ec.jpg)
She has no problem pulling it to 50lbs with the rope, way further than she'll be able to pull the actual bow. I kept having to hold her back. Her younger sister Harmony was fascinated with how we could see the bow bend. Marcela immediately picked up how to identify stiff spots. Harmony tried to pull the rope to bend the bow, but wasn't strong enough.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/7417762934_25644d73f3.jpg)
I thought we had the bow ready to string, but it's still a little too stiff. I didn't get another picture but it is bending much better.
That's as far as we got today. Marcela and her Dad are heading out do a little camping over the weekend so we won't make any progress on it for a couple days. When she gets the bow done we'll put that snake skin on it.
As soon as Marcela's bow is done, Harmony is chomping at the bit to make hers. In fact, it may get started before Marcela gets back.
George
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Looks like future bow building talent there and a good Grandad George!!!
Good stuff right there :)
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Atta boy George, get the whole family addicted ;)
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Very cool,cute little girl.Good for you to get her involved she will remember that for life. :)
Pappy
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Priceless!!!! ;)
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That's awesome!! Can't wait to see the finished project and the smile on her face way to go.
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Very special times right there George.....for both of ya, good on you grandpa
rich
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Way to go, George! Passing on something she'll always remember.
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One of these days, 20 years from now, she'll look at that bow, see the snakeskin, and it will all come back to her...how papaw helped her make her 1st bow backed with skin from a snake they skinned! Nice work, George!!
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That is great George. Can't wait to see the finished bow.
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Very, very cool!
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Thank you all. This is one time I won't be procrastinating. :)
George
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Great story, great pics, great kids.
All that energy and enthusiasm, brilliant.
Good to see girls getting stuck in, I hate the whole 'girls don't do that' nonsense that you sometimes come across.
Get 'em shooting Barbie when it's finished >:D
Del
(Baaaad kitty)
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Reminds me of when I was little and my grandpa starting teaching me about wood working I loved it and still remember it. Mom wasn't to happy about her 8 year old useing a table saw but I'm glad she didn't stop me just made me promise to be safe
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Great job George! her smile is the whole story.
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Good thing going on there with you and the grandkids, way to go George. As far as girls and bows go my four daughters all shot bows that dad made from salvaged osage fence post from the time they were about 8 until about age 15. Great memories from shooting together. Greg
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What are you going to do when the grandkids are back home? Hang around elementary schools with a drawknife and a stave?
"Hey kid, Kid! Come 'ere. It's free, just a taste. It won't hurt you to just try it! C'mon!"
George Stoneberg, convicted bowyer and stave dealer! Good work, sir. The look of pure joy on that lovely girl's face says it all, buddy.
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Great memory making and pics George.. Nice save on the skin too :laugh: Marcela's face says it all :laugh:
Cipriano
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Way to pass it on. I cant wait to help my daughter make a bow of he own someday, she is only four.
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Thanks all. We have 2 daughters. When they were young I desperately wanted them to shoot and hunt with me. The oldest one was our little lady. She did a little archery but quickly lost interest. She never hunted with me, though I tried hard to get her to. She did sit in a tree stand once with me deer hunting and read a book the whole time. A button buck came in, she saw it first, warned me and then greatly enjoyed it as I tried to shoot him though he'd spotted us in the tree stands. He dodged 3 arrows before running off. She had a great time, but never saw the need to go again. Music was the thing we did together and I have wonderful memories of singing together.
The younger one was my shooting buddy for several years, starting at about age 8 until she discovered boys at about 16. It was a wonderful time. She was a serious 3D and target shooter through some of that and we traveled to the IBO worlds in WV the year she turned 12. She killed a deer when she was 15, but it's the only one. She now has 2 daughters of her own.
Marcela is the oldest daughter of our older daughter.
I say all that to say this. Your kids may or may not shoot and/or hunt with you. In my experience the harder you try to get them to like it, the less likely they will. My advice is to be patient, be ready when they want to shoot/build, and above all, let them have fun. I botched it with one and did better the second time. I'm letting Marcela go at her own pace. When she wants to work we do. When she wants to swim we do. She says we're going hog hunting and if she really wants to we will. I want her to have a great time and remember this summer long after I'm gone. To borrow from Pappy, Life is Good!
George
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Damn, you've put a lump in my throat now :).
Del
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Marcela is gone camping, so Harmony picked out a stave:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7426524188_1012658646_z.jpg)
She's not as strong as Marcela, but her draw knife technique is already excellent.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7426524108_a75915fa8d_z.jpg)
The day turned hot early. Even with the fan on us it was stifling. Harmony opted for the pool where she struggles to touch bottom.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7426523962_a006999be1_z.jpg)
While she was swimming I chased a growth ring for her and gave the back a quick coat of shellac.
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5036/7426572682_f36fae5542_z.jpg)
The bow has a challenge though, some weather damage that goes clear through the limb...
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7426572418_4209a901f9_z.jpg) (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7426572334_3c296713fa_z.jpg)
I think I'll have Grandma and Harmony pick out a nice backing from Grandma's quilting stash. I suspect it'll be something with princess's on it or at the very least something pink and purple. ;D
George
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I've worked some of yer straight ::) yeller wood....it'll make her a fine bow. Standing in that chair is priceless (even though grandma's gonna have a kitten) cause yer lettin her play with "sharp stuff". My grandaughter's liked to "help" fillet fish (and poke the odd eye-ball) and see which ones ones was boys and girls. Now they are growed and grandpa's a vague memory, what with tryin to compete with sideways hats and tight jeans, and all.
I respect you for having the foresight to enjoy the crap out of 'em right now, aint enough money to buy them memories....selfish, eh?
rich
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Priceless pics George!!! Just priceless.. I hear there's no greater joy than grand kids.. :laugh:
Cipriano
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Yea Rich, this isn't particularly straight, and full of knots. At least all the bends I'll make are up and down and not sideways. ;) We have the first bend cooling as I type. That limb is gonna have about a 10" recurve that'll have to be reduced a touch. I think it'll take 4 heatings, the first of which is hopefully done. If I don't go fishing or out to the hog lease to put up a feeder we might just get her straightened out today. This bow only has to pull about 20lbs so the cracks don't bother me very much. I'll probably fill them with epoxy and sawdust.
I only get to see these 3 kids on Skype and then every 3 years when they come back to the states. Kind-a feel like I have to pack as much special time into what little time there is. In 6 weeks they'll be gone to the other grandparents that are impatiently waiting for their turn. And yes Cip, there is a joy even beyond parenthood with grandchildren. They do wear me out though. ???
Yes Rich, what is it about kids and eyeballs???? Laura would poke the eyes of every 3d target we shot (when I was pulling arrows). I'd forgotten about that.
George