Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: M-P on July 11, 2012, 04:15:51 am

Title: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: M-P on July 11, 2012, 04:15:51 am

Howdy folks,   Here's one of my latest.   A little shorty inspired by the numerous native americans in the great lakes region that made bows with scalloped edge(s).  The wood is from a hickory board sent to me by my (now deceased) father.   He retired to Arkansas a few years ago and I began suggesting that he save me a stave or two from all that wood he was harvesting for his fireplace.   He eventually sent me a piece of air dried hickory ~ 2x10x49".   It is a truly handsome hunk of wood, especially if you're a wood turner ( as my father was.)   For bow making... not so good.   There's a fair amount of grain run out and it's mostly heartwood.   I  decided I had to make something from it though.  I'm amazed that this little bow takes a 25 " draw and holds together with minimal set.(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/P1010061.jpg)(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/P1010063.jpg)

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: M-P on July 11, 2012, 04:17:36 am

One edge is painted red, the scalloped edge is painted red and yellow.(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/P1010067.jpg)(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/P1010066.jpg)
Thanks for looking    Ron

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: randman on July 11, 2012, 04:56:10 am

Nice bend on that one MP. And good story on where it came from. Bet that's one you'll keep for that reason alone. Love the paint job. What are the specs on that thing? Looks to be about mid 50's in length.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Dictionary on July 11, 2012, 05:52:55 am

there is just something special about short bendy handle bows.......

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Pappy on July 11, 2012, 06:34:27 am

Good looking shorty,nice job. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Jodocus on July 11, 2012, 06:43:33 am

Hey that is pretty! I like the short ones a lot. The scalloping is not really visible in the pics, though.
Nifty little bow.

I did actually piss on the electric fence myself as a kid.  :'(  Now I know.  ;D

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Badly Bent on July 11, 2012, 08:54:23 am

That baby looks sweet, really nice bend on it and I love the color of the paint job. Also like the setting/landscape in the photos. I too am curious about the specs and would love to see more photos of  your bow. I love this style and have done a couple like it in hickory myself. Great job M-P, got a real authentic look to it.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Hrothgar on July 11, 2012, 09:42:48 am

Nice little bow--simple and sweet.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Del the cat on July 11, 2012, 10:04:49 am

Great little bow, I like the story too, I'm sure your Dad would have appreciated you turning into a bow.
Del

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: lesken2011 on July 11, 2012, 10:07:34 am

Nice job, Ron. Really sweet bend. Dad would be proud!!

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: ErictheViking on July 11, 2012, 12:32:52 pm

Very cool little bow, I like the connection with your Dad.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Will H on July 11, 2012, 12:33:10 pm

Cool  8)

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: half eye on July 11, 2012, 03:56:55 pm

that sir, is a bow.  8)
rich

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: M-P on July 12, 2012, 05:04:16 am

Well folks thanks for the positive replies.    I'll have to get some pics that show the scalloping better.  I also need to go back and take some actual measurements to post.   In re-reading my post I see I made a typo on the length.  The bow is 59' long tip to tip and 58" nock to nock.   Not as short as it might be, but still much shorter than most of my bows.     Ron

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Postman on July 13, 2012, 12:25:01 am

great job on that one!

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow new pics
Post by: M-P on July 13, 2012, 01:31:46 am

Well again thanks to all that have looked at this already.  My apologies for not having all the facts ready to go with the first post.  I went and remeasured the bow
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/IMG_0515.jpg)
58" tip to tip
57' nock to nock
The tips are 7/8" wide
The handle is 1 1/4" wide
45# @ 26"
I wrapped the upper tip with rawhide to protect an area of swirly grain due to a small knot.   I think you can see from the stripe of heartwood showing on the back, that there is a fair amount of grain run off.   I used dry heat to put in a little R/D profile and then heat treated the belly for good measure.  The paint is dry "earth paint" mixed with buttermilk and applied in three layers.  The painted areas were then burnished to smooth and deepen the colors.  Everything was then coated with beeswax.
Theorectically a bendy handled bow of this length could be drawn 28", but I can't bring myself to do it.  I keep looking at the grain run-off and cringing.
Hopefully the new pics will tell the rest of the story.     Ron

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: M-P on July 13, 2012, 01:37:04 am

(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/IMG_0518.jpg)(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/IMG_0517.jpg)

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: M-P on July 13, 2012, 01:38:17 am

(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/IMG_0523.jpg)(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/May-Pumphrey/IMG_0520.jpg)

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: KellyG on July 13, 2012, 02:15:02 am

now that is cool

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Josh B on July 13, 2012, 02:25:44 am

Cool bow!  Josh

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: criveraville on September 08, 2012, 12:55:10 am

Nice story and beautiful bow with serious bend!!

Cipriano

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: Traxx on September 08, 2012, 03:12:02 am

Looks Fantastic!!
I also like the Background scene in the Draw pics.Ive camped,just out of the Frame.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on September 08, 2012, 10:27:58 am

Very nice.  I'm believe dad would be smilin'.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: driftingrz on September 08, 2012, 01:16:42 pm

thats a great looking bow, did the scallops serve any purpose other than aestetically? i was looking and reading about them in TBB2 a few weeks ago and was curious. definately a neat looking design.

Title: Re: For BOM......Great lakes style bow
Post by: coaster500 on September 09, 2012, 01:09:47 am

Very nice bend on that bow... well done :)