Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: snapback on July 31, 2013, 10:31:29 pm

Title: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on July 31, 2013, 10:31:29 pm
hi everyone!
have always wanted to build a primitive bow but have not had the time raising two boys and a full time job. after recently breaking a cam and riser on my compound bow. I have resorted to use an old bow that I picked up in a garage sale from Michigan. I desperately need something for this upcoming deer season to feed my boys. do not have the funds for replacement of compound bow.  this bow has no markings on it what so ever or a string to string it. was wondering if you guys knew what kind of bow this was or how I should go about stringing it it has a few appearance cracks but nothing through. any ideas? Thanks you.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: aaron on July 31, 2013, 10:37:20 pm
looks like a fiberglass bow. typically old ones are only good if in near perfect condition. you'll get more knowlegable responses from a forum specialising in fiberglass bows like tradgang. You could just make a "board bow" . that is a quick primitive style bow made from some oak lumber.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: mikekeswick on August 01, 2013, 02:53:02 am
Well it's more than possible to make a bow in a few hours. Granted if this is your first it will take longer but if you go out and get a good straight grained board and post pics we can have you shooting your own bow in a few days.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on August 01, 2013, 07:56:11 am
Thats an old Pearson I think. Maybe a Colt.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: mullet on August 01, 2013, 08:07:16 am
Ben Pearson, Colt, the first glass bow I ever had. Traded a BB gun for it.




Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 01, 2013, 09:27:07 am
15 years ago i did that after first reading article in primitive archer magazine. I got a piece of oak from a pallet and when tilling it broke it. Since then obtained pieces of hickory for splitting into staves but didn't think about sealing after cutting. Nor had the means of cutting or splitting them. I have access to allot of different wood types. Locust, elm, ash, hackberry, mulberry. I cut firewood every fall and spring for winter burning. Don't know ifi have time to cut now and have bow ready by October deer season. Needing something fast and don't want to rush making a quality bow. How long should i wait to split a piece of elm after cutting green and sealing?  Can i use dead fallen although many dead fallen are big trees and big they are hard they are for me to split into 72" staves? Thanks for info guys. Nobody around here does this sort of thing all mainly compound bow Hunters, so really no one to ask about this topic. Thanks again!
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on August 01, 2013, 01:14:12 pm
1. dead wood doesn't make good bows- exceptions osage and yew. White woods rot too fast.
2. Go to a lumberyard and buy a 72" oak 1x2.
3. Make a bow- its long enough that it will forgive most tillering errors.
4. Locust, elm, ash, hackberry, and mulberry are all very good bow woods.\
5. Split it ASAP!
6. dead fallen stuff is usually rotten- #1.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 01, 2013, 01:50:48 pm
4. Locust, elm, ash, hackberry, and mulberry are all very good bow woods.\
5. Split it ASAP!

Do i seal it or just start making a bow?
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: bubby on August 01, 2013, 03:36:07 pm
I that a lefty? if you need a bow fast and that glass bow dont work out, i'd put a string on it and fin out, get a good hard maple board and build a pyramid bow  I posted a  link to a build a long http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,35312.0.html
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 01, 2013, 03:46:10 pm
no its all right handed bow. can I use any kind of string to string it up or will I have to go to a body shop closest one around here is Cabelas about an hour away. I will check that link out. Thanks.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: mullet on August 01, 2013, 04:13:38 pm
Use a B-50 or equivelent. Don't use fastFlight.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 03, 2013, 09:44:49 am
4. Locust, elm, ash, hackberry, and mulberry are all very good bow woods.\
5. Split it ASAP!

Do i seal it or just start making a bow?


can i make a bow out of green wood?
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: Thesquirrelslinger on August 03, 2013, 10:57:08 am
seal the ends... and let it sit for a week or so.
you can make a survival bow from green wood- but keep in mind its less than 1/2 as strong as dried, cured wood.
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 03, 2013, 12:51:53 pm
is this the normal amount of time to let sit for seasoning or curing cut wood lengths or split and quartered lengths? thought some let sit after cutting for months not sure and not sure what it is called?
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: robby on August 03, 2013, 02:45:25 pm
Looks like an old Bear. They used that rusty red fiberglass a lot back in the fifty's. I have seen many of them and they all had those longitudinal cracks in the glass. I'm not sure if it will hold up but its worth a try if that's what you got! Always trying to do the best with what you got, a primitive concept that still works! If you can find a shop that sells traditional strings, start with one that is about 5" shorter than the unstrung measurement from nock to nock, I cannot remember the brace height, but it is probably in the 7" to 8" range. All the best to you, I hope you can make it work!
Robby
Title: Re: unknown bow?
Post by: snapback on August 03, 2013, 05:05:42 pm
is there any way to re apply a backing material to strength it? i have a guy that i found in my area that i found on tradgang.com forum coming to look at it tuesday or wed. he gonna bring his string materail to make a string. nice guy travels thru my area quite often. thanks for all the feedback.

Jeremy