Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DGF on July 31, 2012, 04:47:23 am

Title: My first self bow.
Post by: DGF on July 31, 2012, 04:47:23 am
I use the term 'self bow' rather loosely as this really was a combination of alot of great people coming together and teaching this thick skull what they could. Not one part of this project was done without the knowledge picked off from others either through videos, reading posts or hands on help and instruction. Two people really stick out in this project, and I'd like to give them a big thank you.

The first is Matt Wirwicki. I met Matt at this years Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous over the Memorial Day weekend. Matt sold me a roughed out osage stave and helped me get it floor tillerd and ready for the tillering stick. Matt was beyond patient and is a great instructor. When you are as good at a craft as Matt is it would be easy to become frustrated with the most novice of persons as I am. He stood by patiently instructing me step by step as a took off some shavings and rasped away at stiff spots throughout the floor tiller process. Thank you Matt!

The second is Chris, aka PEARL DRUMS on the message boards. As you have seen on here Chris whittles up some gorgeous and seriously deadly bows of many different styles. I also first met Chris at the Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous. I had the opportunity to shoot the course with Chris and his friend in Marshall using one of Chris's Bend through the handle osage self bows. This bow spit an arrow with authority. If you've seen his other work in action you know it was no fluke. I was able to watch Chris work on bows a little bit in Marshall and quite a bit in Grayling at the Michigan Traditional Bowhunters Shoot. I learned alot by watching Chris help others and watching him Tiller bows on site at the shoots. I asked Chris many questions about tillering and bow styles and he was more than willing to help me with my questions. I first shot this bow in its unfinished state at the MTB shoot with the help of Chris in setting it up. Thank you Chris!

I'd also like to throw a thank you out to Gary Davis. I watched his Rattlestick Self Bow DVD numerous times during this project and it was a great help as a reference when I got stuck at times. Also, his video instruction on applying snake skins and trimming them up added alot of mojo to this bow. Thanks Gary!


I can only guess on draw weight of this bow at mid 40#'s at my draw length of 27 1/2". The handle is leather tied on with artificial sinew. The snake skins are western diamondback & the tip overlays are ebony.

The bow:
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/479/selfbow1001.jpg)       (http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/6203/selfbow1018.jpg)

Upper tip:                                                                Lower tip:
(http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7711/selfbow1013.jpg)       (http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/6113/selfbow1015.jpg)

Money shot:
(http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/6682/selfbow1005.jpg)                   (http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5080/selfbow1008.jpg)


-Dan

Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: soy on July 31, 2012, 04:57:28 am
Rock on man! !! What a sweet first!!! And what a support group! Please keep em coming, cant wait to see the next  :o
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Hrothgar on July 31, 2012, 08:30:23 am
Great looking bow! Nice to share the credit. You should be Proud.
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Steve Milbocker on July 31, 2012, 08:35:18 am
Beautiful job!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: blackhawk on July 31, 2012, 08:40:10 am
Congrats on your first...enjoy it  :)
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on July 31, 2012, 09:06:52 am
Dan your bow looks good for a first and I know for a fact they will get better. Dan has a great attitude and is eager as hell to get this all figured out. I love it! I think that bow taught you a lot man? Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, dont forget the beers!

 
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Dvshunter on July 31, 2012, 09:13:16 am
Sweet bow and welcome to the addiction.
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: lesken2011 on July 31, 2012, 09:23:58 am
Wish my 1st had looked that good!! Nice job. I see a little of Matt and PD in the bow, but you sure finished it up nice! Those skins and tips look superb, too. Congratulations!!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Judo Point on July 31, 2012, 09:43:45 am
Very nice that's a bow to be proud of!!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: owlbait on July 31, 2012, 10:17:49 am
Nice job Dan. She finished out great, but when I saw it in Grayling you already had most of the work done. Thanks for sharing Pearlie that Saturday at Grayling. I left there much more confident also that I had a bow that would shoot, and was also a collaboration of many ideas and assisitants. Hopefully we can shoot a round at Elm Hall this weekend.
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Pat B on July 31, 2012, 10:36:56 am
Congrats, Dan. You build a very nice first bow. Having Matt, Pearlie and Gary Davis cheeryng you on is a wonderful bit of encouragement from some guys that know what they are talking about. I'd bet everyone of them had a mentor(s) as well and now is their time to pass on the knowledge. I hope you will do the same when that time comes.
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: tattoo dave on July 31, 2012, 11:10:02 am
Sweet bow Dan!! That's a great lookin #1. I see you are in Wyoming mi, I live in Rockford, about 20 minutes from you. Always good to see guys on here from my neck of the woods.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: coaster500 on July 31, 2012, 11:13:14 am
Dan I feel for ya Bro...  you don't know what just hit ya, the addiction has begun >:D

Great first bow!!!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: ErictheViking on July 31, 2012, 12:24:03 pm
Beautiful bow, exceptional first bow. great job
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: FRITZ 86 on July 31, 2012, 12:28:35 pm
Geez brother!!! You nocked that one out of the park! Beautiful bow! Congrats!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Buckeye Guy on July 31, 2012, 06:07:35 pm
Good job
In spite of all those folks getting in your way  >:D
If you don't get another one started at Elm hall come over to GLLI and we can get ya going again !
I should have more time to goof off there, or I mean shoot and work on bows !
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: oscar3b on July 31, 2012, 06:10:50 pm
Wow man!  I can't believe that's your first self bow!  It looks awesome!  I like the tip overlays and skins.  Great work!
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: H Rhodes on July 31, 2012, 06:15:13 pm
Wow! That is a work of art!!  You got off to a fine start - i bet there will be many more to follow.  Looks like a sweet shooting bow to me. 
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Matt A on July 31, 2012, 06:39:24 pm
like the somewhat whip tips
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Badly Bent on July 31, 2012, 11:15:59 pm
Nice job Dan, thats a really good bow , enjoy.
Greg
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: Carson (CMB) on August 01, 2012, 01:48:40 am
Nice first bow Dan.  Very nice.  Glad to see another guy get hooked.  >:D
Title: Re: My first self bow.
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 01, 2012, 10:22:12 am
Excellent bow! Those are some fine bowyers helping you. It takes a village to make a bow. :) Jawge