Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Adam Keiper on December 09, 2007, 12:55:22 pm

Title: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Adam Keiper on December 09, 2007, 12:55:22 pm
The first osage haul I ever made, in 2001, included the stave for this bow.  It was an ugly twisted pretzel with a massive knot dead in the middle of the stave.  It set for a few years until I had the ambition to tackle it.  After roughing a bow out from it and realizing just how bad it was, I let it set for a couple more.  Two years ago I began serious work on it.  The stave had a natural reflex deflex profile that I decided to take advantage of.  I discovered the grip had a separate, large sideways-oriented knot that was cracked through on the belly, so I cut away the damaged belly section of the grip and replaced it with an osage patch.  Over the next two years, I worked on the bow periodically in around preferred projects.  Knots aside, one of the hurdles included substantial heat gun corrections to get the string to line up even close with the handle.  I made the final push to get it done last month.  Here are pictures of how it turned out.  The knot looked like a place a squirrel might live, hence the name, "Squirrel's Den".  It's 62", and draws 59# @ 25".

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: sonny on December 09, 2007, 01:05:29 pm
nice bow !!
a buddy of mine has one that's very similar with regards to placement of the knot, except I think he placed the knot in the lower limb,,best I can remember.

 
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: DCM on December 09, 2007, 01:06:36 pm
Nice Adam.  Love the dogleg.  Those flattened tiller bows work surpriisingly well.  Hard to imagine just how practical those misshapen staves can be until you've tried one.  
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Jesse on December 09, 2007, 01:09:54 pm
That is one cool bow. That one will turn a lot of heads. great job.
                                                  Jesse
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: a finnish native on December 09, 2007, 01:12:02 pm
This is something you don't get to see every other day. wonderful craftsmanship and a different profile. not to meniton well tillered. the knot is just too cool.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Bishop on December 09, 2007, 02:29:11 pm
wow, what can you say about that...beautiful work

Bishop
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: tom sawyer on December 09, 2007, 02:35:41 pm
Great job, I really like that side profile.  Way to stay with it.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on December 09, 2007, 03:29:56 pm

special!!!
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Minuteman on December 09, 2007, 03:51:20 pm
This one's cool!
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: mullet on December 09, 2007, 04:16:00 pm
  Nice bow Adam.The stave I have left has the knot in the same place.Mines been sitting about two years also.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on December 09, 2007, 04:20:24 pm
Adam, that is a mighty fine bow. I love the tiller. Jawge
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: white wood on December 09, 2007, 06:37:13 pm
very nice bow adam, did you put anything in the bottom of that knot or was it that smooth? i really like the profile of that bow and the tiller looks awesome. sweet job on a trickey stave!  ;D -jesse
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: DanaM on December 09, 2007, 07:06:14 pm
Holy wuh eh is dat ever a beauty eh!!!
Hell of job Adam I'm intimadated just looking at her.
Thanks for posting her, astounding what ya can do if ya set yer mind to it.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: koan on December 09, 2007, 07:58:03 pm
Great bow Adam! Definately a BOM contender.....Brian
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Don Wilson on December 09, 2007, 08:46:57 pm
 Coolest bow I've ever seen!  :)
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Roger on December 09, 2007, 10:13:50 pm
Love it!...you got skill's Adam.

R
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Gordon on December 09, 2007, 10:18:31 pm
Oh my, now that is a unique bow!
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Sidewinder on December 09, 2007, 11:00:44 pm
Adam, are you kidding me... thats fantastic!!. Way to work it man. That knot is just way too cool. One of a kind, thats what it is. Thats the appealing thing about character bows, they are all different. Danny
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Slivershooter on December 10, 2007, 12:30:20 am
I love the final result, excellent tiller!! 
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: FlintWalker on December 10, 2007, 01:06:40 am
I see a green cap in your future!  That bow is the coolest. I love it.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: jkekoni on December 10, 2007, 08:29:01 am
Nice. I was thinking that the know would have ade a wonderfull shot trough bow...  >:D
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: GregB on December 10, 2007, 08:47:51 am
Fine job on a very challenging piece of wood! Beautiful work... ;)
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Woodland Roamer on December 10, 2007, 08:55:32 am
Great job on that bow Adam! Very unique piece.

Alan
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: RidgeRunner on December 10, 2007, 10:36:00 am
Nice Bow Adam.
Good job on a tuff stave.

Are you the bower formally known as AK from PA?

David
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Pappy on December 10, 2007, 11:48:06 am
Fine looking bow and tiller.I love that kind of wood.
   Pappy
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: kismet on December 10, 2007, 12:37:11 pm
that, adam, is a very neat bow!  it looks like a ron laclair shrew longbow!  awesome work with that knot area...it is so smooth and perfect.  my knot areas usually resemble the work of a rabid beaver.  what tools did you use on that area to dig out the knot?

stan
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: OldBow on December 10, 2007, 12:42:14 pm
Not only is this a great "conversation piece" bow but look at that tiller! Can we vote early this month? ;)
This bow made my whole morning. Certainly have got it set up for December Self Bow of the Month.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Hillbilly on December 10, 2007, 01:40:03 pm
Damn, that's one of the most unique bows I think I've ever seen. Good to see you posting again, Adam.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Justin Snyder on December 10, 2007, 05:58:28 pm
Great job Adam.  The squirrel tracks are the perfect finish on this bow.  ;D Justin
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: venisonburger on December 10, 2007, 07:42:53 pm
Ya eh Dana, you betcha, make ya wanna getcha some pasties eh?
But again I find my yooper mind wandering, back to the bow, really nice, talk about unique.
VB
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Olschool on December 10, 2007, 09:04:41 pm
WOW! That really turned out GREAT!! I love the strung profile, and the tiller at full draw is beautiful.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Adam Keiper on December 11, 2007, 12:08:46 am
Yeah, I'm also/was AK in PA.  I've been lurking here and there, just not posting much on PA.  I thought this one might get a chuckle or two.   ;)

Jesse/Stan, I ran almost every tool I had in that knot (no comments from the peanut gallery); scrapers, a pointy knife, hammer and chisel, Dremel tool, round rasps, anything I could fit it in it which would take away wood.  The knot runs under the back and towards the handle about 1/2", and actually did go through the original belly surface.  The handle patch covered up the belly opening.  Just before finishing, I painted the inside black to look like, well, a hole.   :D

It was fun.  I've been working on several follies, though, and really should get back to making serious "one shot and a thousand miles from home" hunting bows.   ;D
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Ghost Dog on December 31, 2007, 09:00:31 pm
Man this bow has it all; great tiller, character, beauty and more character.
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: mullet on December 31, 2007, 09:47:12 pm
        Adam,It's still a pretty bow,no matter who...,whic...,what tool you used.  ;)
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Wulamoc on January 01, 2008, 08:26:59 am
NIce bow!!  Lots of character!  How does it shoot?
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: 330bull on January 01, 2008, 09:54:24 pm
WOW what an eye catcher and a work of art.  Simply stunning and the braced profil is so incredibly unique.  How could you ever improve on something like that?  You simply nailed it!

Joe
Title: Re: Squirrel's Den - An Osage Bow
Post by: Asiertxu on January 02, 2008, 10:44:53 am
Really creative and unique job Adam!!
Every time I look at that hole, I can see those squirrels getting in and out from it!! :) ;)...
Thanks for share and keep up that COOL job you make Adam!!
Cheers..
Asier.