Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Arrowind on January 18, 2014, 07:37:01 pm

Title: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 18, 2014, 07:37:01 pm
My Mother and Father in law's friends are from Canada and they come down to AZ every year during the winter.  They come to our house for Thanksgiving usually.  Anyway last time they were here I showed them some of my bows.  The guy used to do a lot of woodworking and was very interested in my bows and very interested in the process.  He came over one day and I showed him the process and gave him a blank.  I referred him to this site as well as the TBB books.  He set off to make a bow (they were headed back home). 

Anyway they have been in the process of moving and he never really got around to working on his bow.  Then he called and offered to give me a planar in exchange for a bow.  Of course I agreed. 

Here's what I came up with.   

Maple Backed Black Walnut (I glued in a bit of reflex and it kept about 50% or so of it.
Tooled Leather Handle
42#@28"
66"NTN
18oz
tips are 3/8"

I just finished it up yesterday and will be giving it to him tomorrow.  Hope he likes it.

Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 18, 2014, 07:37:37 pm
More pics
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 18, 2014, 07:44:32 pm
Really like that one ....cool grip and like the wood combo.  :)
DBar
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Badly Bent on January 18, 2014, 08:32:16 pm
Exceptionally nice bow Arrowind! Cool detailed leather work and the wood combos along with the workmanship really make this a stand out bow. He ought to love that one.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Weylin on January 18, 2014, 08:37:03 pm
I think he's going to hate it! You should send it to me instead.  >:D You make great bows and I always look forward to seeing your artistic touch. Great work!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: hammertime on January 18, 2014, 08:41:01 pm
That is some great craftsmanship right there..beautiful work and awesome pics!just love that handle detail-Hammertime

Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Weylin on January 18, 2014, 08:47:58 pm
We need to get some staves in your hands, bro. I think the results would be magic!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 18, 2014, 09:18:58 pm
DBar - Thanks! 

Badly Bent -  Thanks man! I feel like I barely cut the umbilical cord...now I have to give it away.  :laugh:

Weylin - Thanks dude! I really appreciate it.  I have a piece of juniper in the garage that's been sitting there for almost 2 years.  One of my goals this year is to make a bow from a stave.  I plan to cut several this more this time so I can start building up a stash. Thanks again bro.

Hammertime - Thanks!!!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: IdahoMatt on January 18, 2014, 10:06:46 pm
Great bow all around.  I love the contrast and all of the clean workmanship.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Don Case on January 18, 2014, 10:20:33 pm
The Maple leaves are a nice touch :D :D
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: H Rhodes on January 18, 2014, 10:21:49 pm
Awesome craftsmanship.  Love your finishing work.   
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 18, 2014, 10:50:52 pm
IdahoMatt - thanks! i spent a lot of time on the finish.  I really want this to be something special for him.  he is so excited about it I don't want it to be a let down.  Talk about pressure...I'm a bit nervous but I think it should go ok. If not I'll keep it.   ;D

Don C - Thanks!  I tried to mimic the Canadian Maple Leaf.  Since he is from and lives in Canada and the bow is half maple.  Thanks for mentioning it.  I'm hoping it will be one more thing that will make this one unique and personalized for the recipient.   

hrhodes - thanks!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: IdahoMatt on January 18, 2014, 11:00:31 pm
If he doesn't like it I would keep it too.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: NeolithicMan on January 18, 2014, 11:20:14 pm
Oh Canada indeed! thats a knock out
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: paoliguy on January 19, 2014, 12:02:37 am
Nice attention to detail on that one. I especially like the handle.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: mikekeswick on January 19, 2014, 05:15:21 am
That's a sweet bow!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 19, 2014, 10:06:24 am
That's a looker for sure.  Nice work sir!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: simson on January 19, 2014, 01:00:05 pm
Awesome work! Nice details.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: bushboy on January 19, 2014, 01:05:42 pm
finish work impecipible  as per usual,very nice job!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on January 19, 2014, 02:38:07 pm
Nice bow I like the walnut/maple, and the maple leaf is a beautiful touch
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 19, 2014, 02:40:09 pm
IdahoMatt -  ;D ;D ;D

NeolithicMan - paoliguy- mikekeswick- SLIMBOB-simson- bushboy: THANKS!




Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 19, 2014, 02:41:15 pm
Peacebow_Coos - Thanks man!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: lostarrow on January 19, 2014, 05:40:14 pm
Beautiful job on that! Probably make him loose his mind when he sees it!  It always meens just a little more when you add those personal touches IMHO. Otherwise we would just buy our bows .
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Will H on January 19, 2014, 07:26:36 pm
Nice bow! Finish work is good  :)
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 19, 2014, 10:39:04 pm
lostarrow - Thanks!.   Good point.  They were over tonight along with my in-laws and my father-in-law said "You sure couldn't buy one like that."  That was real nice to hear.  They guy I gave it too really liked it.  We went out in the yard and shot it a few times and he was amazed at how well it shoots.  He must have said thank you 20 times or more.  It was awesome to give that away.  I could tell he was really pleased.....

....oh and the planar works pretty darn good too.   ;D

Will H - Thanks!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: lostarrow on January 21, 2014, 10:29:27 am
[quote ;)=Arrowind link=topic=44663.msg603414#msg603414 date=1390182592]
  He must have said thank you 20 times or more. 




[/quote]

 Of course he did, ....He's Canadian.  Did he apologise for the planer not being clean enough? LOL.

 (before anyone gets concerned about political correctness and international relations,  I'd like to apologise for my comments. As a proud Canadian myself I recognise that the above statement ,although it does not apply to every single Canadian, it applies to most. The ones that it does apply to ,I'm sure can recognise this as humour and will not be offended, as Sarcasm  is our official first language. Once again , sorry If I've offended anyone ,in any way.  Thank you . )
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Parnell on January 21, 2014, 11:46:02 am
Beautiful handle area, the angle and the leather work.  Great front profile.  Nice bow!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Buckeye Guy on January 21, 2014, 02:50:15 pm
Beautiful
You tempt me to think of laminating a bow again 
Thanks for sharing and the temptation !
Guy
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Don Case on January 21, 2014, 02:50:24 pm
(before anyone gets concerned about political correctness and international relations,  I'd like to apologise for my comments. As a proud Canadian myself I recognise that the above statement ,although it does not apply to every single Canadian, it applies to most. The ones that it does apply to ,I'm sure can recognise this as humour and will not be offended, as Sarcasm  is our official first language. Once again , sorry If I've offended anyone ,in any way.  Thank you . )

Well, I started to get upset about your comments but then I realized that you were joking. So I would like to apologise for almost getting upset ;). It distresses me greatly to realize that I almost got offended. Again sorry, sorry, sorry.
Don ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: lostarrow on January 21, 2014, 09:11:00 pm
Thank you for apologising ,Don.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Trapper Rob on January 21, 2014, 09:40:56 pm
Beautiful bow I do believe he's getting the better deal he should love it.
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Don Case on January 21, 2014, 09:44:01 pm
You're welcome >:D
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Pappy on January 22, 2014, 06:37:09 am
Nothing not to love about that one. Good looking bow and love the finish work. :)
  Pappy
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 22, 2014, 12:43:14 pm
lostarrow, Don C -  You guys are hilarious!

Parnell, Buckeye Guy,Trapper Rob, Pappy,  THANKS!
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: mwosborn on January 22, 2014, 07:24:53 pm
One nice looking bow - finish work is awesome.  I have never used walnut but do have a couple of logs drying.  Did you use heartwood?
Title: Re: "Black Maple" Bow
Post by: Arrowind on January 25, 2014, 03:39:04 pm
Thanks mwosborn!  Yes.  I used heartwood.  I have to say I've been impressed with black walnut.  This is my second and I've helped my brother make another two so four in all.   All backed two with hickory and two with maple but so far I'd have to say I like the maple backing over hickory and I think more people should try Black Walnut.  It's lighter and seems to perform really well.  don't know about selfbows though.