Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: simson on October 30, 2012, 08:09:38 am

Title: Elderberry longbow 55/28 (No. 5)
Post by: simson on October 30, 2012, 08:09:38 am: Elderberry longbow for Alpe

Posted this bow on PP a while ago, so some of you know her already
The was made for my friend Alpe. He was invited to an archery competion at the Haitabu museum area (see here: http://www.schloss-gottorf.de/haithabu ). So he needed an adequate real bow, not the glassbows he was used to use ...
I had no yew at that moment, the right wood for viking bows, so I decided to use elm. But dang! The next available was this elderberry.
The stave has seasoned for 3 years, it has a natural kink in the mid of the upper limb. String alignment was 1" off, the limbs had a twist 30°, which I heated out. The bow is heattreated to about 3,5" reflex, now it holds about 1,5" after resting. Outer sections of the limbs are stiff, slight bending handle. Handle is hemp binding, back is dyed with different colors, paintings on the belly side are hugin & munin (odin's ravens). The runes say ALPE

length ntn: 66,5"
drawweight: 55# @ 28"

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0022.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0029.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0040-1.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0051-1.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0012.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0017.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0078.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0088.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0024.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0026.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0082.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0007.jpg)

(http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh576/orangesimson/Elderberry%20Alpe/_DSC0068.jpg)
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Pappy on October 30, 2012, 08:20:57 am: That's a beautiful bow.Very nice job.He should love that. :)
Pappy
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: lesken2011 on October 30, 2012, 09:05:54 am: Nice job and cool artwork!! 8)
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Badly Bent on October 30, 2012, 10:47:18 am: Simson, your bows are seemingly flawless in every detail, workmanship, design, finish and tiller. Can't wait to see what's next, each one
you post is pure eye candy. Exceptional job again, I'm loving your bows. :)
Greg
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Pat B on October 30, 2012, 10:52:51 am: Any Viking would be proud to shoot this bow. Beautiful tiller on a well executed bow. 8)
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: osage outlaw on October 30, 2012, 11:55:13 am: Very nice bow
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: toomanyknots on October 30, 2012, 12:05:28 pm: I agree, that bow is beautiful. Very sharp looking.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: sharpend60 on October 30, 2012, 01:02:03 pm: Again with the awesome bows.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on October 30, 2012, 01:12:52 pm: I really enjoy looking at your bows Simson. They are beautifully crafted in all aspects.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Trapper Rob on October 30, 2012, 01:32:43 pm: Nice bow
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Jodocus on October 30, 2012, 01:55:59 pm: Excellent bow, must be a pleasure to shoot. Looks very well proprortioned overall, strong, yet slender. I got some elderberry staves seasoning :laugh:
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Bryce on October 30, 2012, 03:19:16 pm: Iam a Viking by genetics and I would be proud to shoot such a bow ;D 8)
Gotta love the old Norse folk, and utilitarian art.
That baby's got a sweet bend. Nice work Simson,
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Cameroo on October 30, 2012, 03:30:51 pm: Quote from: Badly Bent on October 30, 2012, 10:47:18 am
Simson, your bows are seemingly flawless in every detail, workmanship, design, finish and tiller. Can't wait to see what's next, each one
you post is pure eye candy. Exceptional job again, I'm loving your bows. :)
Greg

I'll second that statement :) I love how rustic this one looks.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: bubby on October 30, 2012, 04:34:33 pm: that is a bow, beautiful in it's simplicity, Bub
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: ErictheViking on October 30, 2012, 07:24:54 pm: beautiful work. love the back.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: sharpend60 on October 31, 2012, 12:04:10 am: Would ya happen to have the latin name for the elderberry.

Its not popular here in the US at all...
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: soy on October 31, 2012, 01:02:02 am: WOW! ALL AROUND IMPRESSIVE :o
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Arrowind on October 31, 2012, 01:15:20 am: I really like every thing about that bow! AWESOME!!!!!

GOOD JOB!
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: BowEd on October 31, 2012, 01:22:20 am: Nice mesmerizing tiller on a primitive bow.
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: John D on October 31, 2012, 01:31:52 am: Outstanding! I agree that you produced a beautiful bow with fantastic color and texture; beautiful!

What did you fletch that arrow with?
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: simson on October 31, 2012, 04:55:53 am: Quote from: sharpend60 on October 31, 2012, 12:04:10 am
Would ya happen to have the latin name for the elderberry.

Its not popular here in the US at all...

latin name is: sambucus nigra
it is a well known little tree and health plant, you can use the blossoms for a kinda lemonade and the black berries as syrup medicine. Lots of myth on this ... and of course known by the vikings. My grandma, passed by long ago, would never allowed me to cut down an elderberry, in every garden at lest one of this were growing.
Now this tree is growing everywhere, but hard to find good bowwood (more bushed instead tree, most propeller twist)

Quote from: John D on October 31, 2012, 01:31:52 am

What did you fletch that arrow with?

Nothing special, this are black and red feathers spliced (dyed turkey)
Title: Re: Elderberry longbow
Post by: Holten101 on October 31, 2012, 05:58:16 am: I love the bow, tiller and finish...outstanding:-)

I can confirm Simsons observations....it is VERY hard to find long, straight Elder pieces...and when you do, most can be discarded due to propellar twist:-(.

Elder lemonade is awsome by the way, especially mixed with sparkling white wine;-). The berries can be used for a dark purple dye too (low quality stuff I have heard).

The wood dries well and is very nice to work with:-)

Cheers