Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: KellyG on July 06, 2012, 07:15:29 pm

Title: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 06, 2012, 07:15:29 pm: Well I am new to this site and thought I would start by sharing a bow I finished for a swap on another site.

It is my first hickory bow and only my second shooter. It is a very simple self bow if there is such a thing.

It ended up being 64"ntn pulling 48#@28" trueoil finish with an old combat boot tongue leather handle and floppy rest/strike plate. It took some set early on due to and hinge but once I got the tiller right. I was able to heat temper the belly and add some reflex in the last 3rd to bring the snap back in it. I piked it to get it back up close to 50# as I could. That is the natural color. I added some turkey feathers for decoration and wind indicator.

I did not get a full draw pic before shipping it off sorry it should not happen again.

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/gillk/IMG_4082.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/gillk/IMG_4083.jpg)

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e383/gillk/IMG_4085.jpg)

thanks to Pat B for all the advice and helping get another shooter made.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Del the cat on July 06, 2012, 07:45:38 pm: That's a handsom bow.
Del
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: johnston on July 06, 2012, 08:30:24 pm: A shooter bow is the goal. Most everything else is fluff even if it is pretty.
Nice job.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 06, 2012, 09:02:31 pm: My take on hickory is that it really is a second string bow wood. In other words, make a second string (and maybe even a third and a fourth) cuz you gonna shoot that sucker for a good long time!!!

Even without a full draw pic, I like this bow. She looks pretty darn serviceable!

Good work.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pat B on July 06, 2012, 09:10:51 pm: Welcome to PA, Kelly. You did good. She came out very nice. 8) ...and the tongue of a combat boot for a handle wrap. Thats cool! I know your recipient will be pleased.

Kelly's first bow was built in Irac while he was stationed there. A TG member sent Kelly an osage stave and he got lots of help from the guys on Bowyers Bench on TG. After Kelly got home last year he shot a beautiful, VERY RESPECTABLE Kansas buck with his osage bow. 8)

OK Kelly, now that this bow is done its time to start the next one. ;)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: okie64 on July 06, 2012, 11:47:26 pm: Very nice Kelly. Hickory is some good stuff if you can keep it dry. That Cambium on the back looks really good.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 07, 2012, 01:16:23 am: Thanks for all the kinds words.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: RobWiden on July 07, 2012, 01:50:40 am: Welcome Kelly. I'm sure you'll be a great addition to this site, judging from what I've seen on the other one. Rob
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: soy on July 07, 2012, 01:55:18 am: Love the natural look...sharp bow...welcome to pa ;)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Rufledt on July 07, 2012, 02:02:58 am: I really like the way the back looks! I'd love to make a bow of hickory, but i'm still not out of red oak yet...
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: hedgeapple on July 07, 2012, 02:32:47 am: Quote from: Pat B on July 06, 2012, 09:10:51 pm
Welcome to PA, Kelly. You did good. She came out very nice. 8) ...and the tongue of a combat boot for a handle wrap. Thats cool! I know your recipient will be pleased.

Kelly's first bow was built in Irac while he was stationed there. A TG member sent Kelly an osage stave and he got lots of help from the guys on Bowyers Bench on TG. After Kelly got home last year he shot a beautiful, VERY RESPECTABLE Kansas buck with his osage bow. 8)

OK Kelly, now that this bow is done its time to start the next one. ;)

To quote Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider, "It's hard to beat a good piece of hickory."

Kelly, first off Thank You for your service to our country. Secondly, that's a fine bow. You seem to have had some issues, recognized them and corrected them. That makes it a ver good build. And only your second bow. Wow!
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: TRACY on July 07, 2012, 11:50:00 am: Well done! I like the simplicity of it. Like yours, I leave some of the cambium layer intact when working hickory- natural camo

Tracy
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 07, 2012, 01:29:48 pm: Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words on the bow.

Rufledt keep that oak as a back up and start your hickory or heck trade some off for hickory if you don't have any.

hedgeapple I can't take all the credit for identifying the problem I post lot of pic of the build as I go along and get plenty of feed back. Plus the PM and emails to Pat. It makes it a lot easier let me tell you.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: lesken2011 on July 07, 2012, 02:55:55 pm: Great job, Kelly. Glad to see you over here. I love the "camo" look on the back. The veteran boot leather is also a nice touch!!
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Josh B on July 09, 2012, 05:38:11 am: I like that bow! Nicely done sir! Where at in Ks did you take your buck? Josh
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Jodocus on July 09, 2012, 06:47:29 am: Lovely back! :-*

Combat boot tongue leather sure must be fine for grips, unfortunatly soldiers are not legal game where I live. Have to look for roadkill... ;) ;D

Great bow!
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pappy on July 09, 2012, 07:08:31 am: Welcome ,good looking Hickory stick.Love it. :)
Pappy
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 10, 2012, 01:09:09 am: thanks gents

I took my buck on FT Riley. The sweet thing is after I took mine I see several more near the end of season that was as big as the one I took and one that might have been bigger.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 10, 2012, 10:23:31 am: Looks great! Jawge
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: ErictheViking on July 10, 2012, 01:19:54 pm: very fine bow, I also love the cambium left on the back. I prefer that handle style for hunting too. great job
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Shaun on July 10, 2012, 03:00:40 pm: Lucky dog here, reporting this arrived in the mail from the TG bow trade. Missing money shot from this post...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/shaunw/TradeBow12001.jpg)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 10, 2012, 10:19:06 pm: ErictheViking

I like it too for it is the only one I know how to make.

Shaun I hope it serves you well this fall.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on July 10, 2012, 10:25:25 pm: Cool lookin' bow Kelly.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: PaulN/KS on July 12, 2012, 10:13:03 am: Great looking bow there Kelly! Hope Shaun brings it with him down to Mojam...
Not only is Kelly an accomplished hunter and bowyer, he also makes a Very tasty pot roast. :)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 13, 2012, 02:11:36 am: Paul I think I think I have some venison left and plan on bringing it to mojam and my small gas grill. I am always willing to share. I plan on getting there Wednesday night or thursday morning.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Josh B on July 13, 2012, 02:31:17 am: I live about an hour and a half from Ft. Riley. There are some dandy bucks in the flint hills to be sure. Not to mention world class bull elk. I'm planning on going to mojam as well. Maybe I'll see you there. Josh
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: PaulN/KS on July 13, 2012, 10:54:58 am: We'll have to have a Pow Wow Guys... :)
Lookin' forward to seeing ya again Kelly. I'll have some stuff to share as well...
I hope to be there Wednesday "sometime".
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: coaster500 on July 13, 2012, 11:02:30 am: Sweet bow Kelly!!

Congrats Shaun!!

I've never tried Hickory but got a chunk in the rack that is callin :)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pat B on July 13, 2012, 11:13:39 am: OK you guys going to MoJam, don't forget your cameras and don't forget to use them. ;)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: PaulN/KS on July 13, 2012, 12:01:35 pm: Aye Aye Sir... :)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 14, 2012, 01:18:07 am: I hope to take some pic pat but might get over whelmed.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Pat B on July 14, 2012, 02:40:17 am: Kelly, I know I would be overwhelmed at MoJam! This is a good chance for a fledgling bowyer to watch and talk to some of the masters of wood bow building. Take advantage of the situation! That's why it's happening, Passing It On! 8)
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: KellyG on July 15, 2012, 01:59:13 am: I plan on it trust me, but 4 days just don't seem like enough to talk about bow making, arrow smithing and fling knaping. I do plan on taking some flint, arrow shafts and staves.
Title: Re: Hickory Bow
Post by: Dvshunter on July 15, 2012, 02:10:24 pm: You're right Kelly it ain't enough time. I will have my camera there for a bunch of pics. I'm glad you're going to make it Kelly.