Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: lostarrow on January 07, 2013, 06:58:00 pm

Title: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: lostarrow on January 07, 2013, 06:58:00 pm
So my techno /gadget loving brother has expressed interrest in Traditional Archery . Being a wheely guy I thought it might be passing,but when he said he'd like to come shooting and try it out ...................I couldn't resist. I renovated his kitchen last summer and had a couple of offcuts of cherry with nice straight grain. I also had a whitetail hide that the same brother gave to me about three years ago that I made into rawhide. The result was a 50#28"  Black Cherry bow 65-1/2" NTN.  He seemed pretty happy with it. Now I just have to make him some arrows to compliment it,and get him out shooting. I couldn't ask for a better brother , friend,hunting buddy, and it's nice to be able to give him something back. (http://)
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: bubby on January 07, 2013, 07:02:39 pm
nice one, your lucky, me and my bro fight like dogs, Bub
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on January 07, 2013, 07:06:51 pm
Good looking rawhide job.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: lostarrow on January 07, 2013, 07:14:16 pm
Bubby. Haha, ....this is one of three brothers . We get along for the most part.
Pearly. Thanks. I know ........I wouldn't have to do the rawhide if it were made from "The King"  ,but not much access to that around here. Got some osage seed on the weekend . we'll see if I can get some for future generations. We are at the Northern end of the growing range ,but with the climate changing  .....they might get more established.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: TRACY on January 07, 2013, 07:22:01 pm
Very nice job! Building from heart is always good!



Tracy
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Dvshunter on January 07, 2013, 07:49:55 pm
My brother never gave me nothin. Nice work.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Carson (CMB) on January 07, 2013, 07:51:00 pm
Nice work.  That beauty just might bring him over to the dark side.   >:D
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 07, 2013, 08:50:58 pm
Beautiful bow.  Love Black Cherry even though it's kicked my arse several times.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: ssgtchad on January 07, 2013, 08:54:43 pm
That's real nice! What did you finish the raw hide with?
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: richardzane on January 07, 2013, 09:00:27 pm
a real beauty!

was the rawhide added in sections ? if so how did you overlap? skiving bevels?  using hide glue?
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Badly Bent on January 07, 2013, 09:20:46 pm
Real nice bow Lostarrow, I'm betting you'll make a convert out of your brother. Was the straightest grain piece of cherry from the kitchen remodel a leftover by coincidence or something more. ;)
Greg
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Arrowind on January 07, 2013, 09:35:15 pm
NICE!
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: okie64 on January 07, 2013, 10:19:56 pm
That is a beautiful bow and great tiller!
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: soy on January 07, 2013, 11:31:28 pm
Gorgeous! :o
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Pappy on January 08, 2013, 05:56:15 am
Beautiful bow,nice bend.I have a good friend that is working on one just about like that right now,hope it turnes out as good. Nice job. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: BowEd on January 08, 2013, 06:17:53 am
Very nice job and pics on that black cherry bow.I've never worked that wood yet but have choke cherry staves drying in the shed.I've read it shoots pretty sweet.Never shot one yet myself.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: Jodocus on January 08, 2013, 09:04:49 am
Black cherry rules!  :) Very good looking bow, nice tiller and great finish. Like.
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: lostarrow on January 08, 2013, 10:27:16 am
Thanks for all of the compliments guys.I'm hoping to convert him and take a Moose hunting trip back home with him.That's what's got him all fired up.

 ssgtchad :The finish is waterbased stain and aniline dye with many coats of amber shelac ,padded on in a French polish sort of method. (tested to be the most water proof /resistant finish by wooden boat magazine.Who am I to argue?)

Richardzane: The rawhide was butted together over the stiff handle (under the wrap)I don't wet the hide . I sand the flesh side flat and smooth and then  "soften" it slightly over  the sharp edge of my work bench,just enough to bend easily over contours. I then run 60 grit sandpaper over the back (with the grain)of the bow just enough to score it. Size the back and the hide with a thin coat of Pearl Hide glue. Iron, set on a temp just warm enough to work the glue (shouldn't sizzle) and squeegee with a polished piece of metal(I use a small brass bar )as you go. The hide will suck the glue into it so make sure you use a good amount when sizing. With this method you aren't waiting for the hide to dry out again,the glue coming up into the hide makes it transparent (if thin enough) and it's easy to make sure there are no air pockets. The brass bar polishes the hide as you go and leaves a super smooth finish .It dries quick ,and cures overnight. Leave extra time to be sure. The semi hard jelly/glue and hide is easily rough trimmed with a razor blade after an hour or so , making it easier on your tools to finish up.(no hard glue to gum and dull sharp edges) The whole process of laying the hide took about an hour to hour and a half including prep. It's the same basic process as hammer veneering on furniture. I don't know if it will work with TB hide glue, never tried it.

Greg : Whatever could you be insinuating? lol. I treat all of my off cuts the same. Besides ,everyone knows that the swirly contrary grain is the one that looks best on cabinetry. ;)

Pappy: I'm sure with your guidance and/ or tutelage  your friends bow will be a work of art!

Jodocus: Thanks . I have many small dia. staves of Lilac,Serviceberry, Hophornbeam,Privet ,Mullberry etc. that I will be starting to tackle over the next year  so I hope to call on you and Druid for some guidance . Love those bows!
Title: Re: Black Cherry/ Rawhide
Post by: killir duck on January 08, 2013, 12:07:57 pm
that's a beauty, the rawhide looks really good