Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 06:00:42 pm

Title: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 06:00:42 pm
Dimensional Hickory Lumber long bow. 72" overall, 68"NTN. 55#@28". Boa backed. Leather over cotton cord handle. Still have to put red cedar and elk antler over the tips and shape the ends. Been working on this with basic no power hand tools, elbow grease and caffeine. Grew at least 50 grey hairs and a better appreciation for those who start with staves. Maybe some day, but for now I am really enjoying the properties of Hickory as a bow wood....Enjoy, critique..
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: osage outlaw on January 25, 2014, 06:03:12 pm
Very cool looking bow.  I like the boa skin. 
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: ohma2 on January 25, 2014, 06:07:46 pm
Nice
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: burchett.donald on January 25, 2014, 06:09:08 pm
  Nice looking set and you got those pics looking good. Real nice 8)
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 06:11:08 pm
Thanks Clint. I know purists may have a word or two to say about the Boa skin, but I have to say, They are readily available all over florida, tough as nails, and no splicing as most are 6-10 feet long. All total I have less than $100 into this bow. Hours I have not a clue. I suffer from severe insomnia and PTSD, so I am up most nights messing around in the small shop I have in My basement.

Thanks Don. Had to get My younger than me Wife to show Me how to resize..LOL...This new Windows 8 is a pain in the backside.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Ink on January 25, 2014, 06:16:17 pm
can we get a side profile and full draw pic?
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 06:18:10 pm
Sure can. Have to wait for the wife to get home.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Arrowind on January 25, 2014, 06:21:50 pm
Nice bow.  Are you sure that's boa?  It looks more like reticulated python...
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 06:25:15 pm
All I know is, a friend of mine in Florida dragged it out from under his house and killed it after it ate his poodle. These big snakes are havoc down there..sent it to me for backing..And this is only half of the skin. He has an Osage bow that he is using the other half on..I also used some of it over walnut for grips on My 1911..Sealed it with satin poly x4 layers..
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: WillS on January 25, 2014, 06:52:31 pm
Nice looking bow! Is it a longbow? Looks like a flatbow from the pics, but then I'm from the UK and longbow means something different over here!

That's 100% not a boa skin - might be a retic, but doesn't even look like one of those, unless it's from the "flank" of the snake instead of the back. 

Looks like a very smart bow, no doubt.  Will be cool to see some full draws.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: k-hat on January 25, 2014, 06:58:01 pm
Well done! I like  hickory too, but I'd be worried about it sucking up moisture down there in Florida! Is this your first?  If so even better ;)
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 25, 2014, 08:46:50 pm
Yep looks good.....need to see some bending... :)
DBar
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 08:48:21 pm
Yes My first build. I took alot if time making this. I have to thank everyone who has posted anything on the site here. All of your posts helped me out on this. So a collective thanks to all for your help. Oh and here are a few more pics, to include a draw pic. Apologies it was taken indoors, but it was -10 when the pics were taken. I'll try and get a better full draw pic tomorrow as I will be outside.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: 4dog on January 25, 2014, 08:51:37 pm
yeah thats a reticulated python skin..and it looks good on the bow..and the bow looks good as well.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mohawk13 on January 25, 2014, 08:56:33 pm
Good to know on the snake skin. I just wanted something different and I liked the pattern. Should work well for Fall camo in Oklahoma. Appreciate the info. Kind of poetic justice using its hide for camo on a hunting bow, as it ate My friends dog...LOL
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 25, 2014, 09:04:18 pm
Looks great for your first build from here...good job
DBar
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: lostarrow on January 25, 2014, 09:10:45 pm
 Congrats on getting a shooter with your first bow! Looks great ! Porfessional quality finish work you've done there.  Like K-hat said , Hickory doesn't care much for moist climates . Likely the reason for the bit of set it took on you. Might have robbed some performance , but should treat you well for a long time. Heat treat and trapped back for hickory is good policy for moist climates. I'm sure this wont be your last. Once again , great job!
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 25, 2014, 09:21:57 pm
 :) Very good advise lostarrow, I appreciate the good information you give others. I learn form it ...Giving you the thumbs up... :)
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: unkieford on January 25, 2014, 10:00:56 pm
I made a similar size/ design bow from a Maple 1X2 last year. I shot it today, and I still love it. That one looks like a keeper for sure! As for the Boa skin, using what is available locally is a time-honored tradition, and it looks stellar.

---Ford---

Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: TRACY on January 25, 2014, 10:11:09 pm
Very nice bow and work! Fan of hickory, set and all.


Tracy
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Ink on January 25, 2014, 10:19:01 pm
Looks good man, keep em coming
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: H Rhodes on January 25, 2014, 10:23:33 pm
Hard to beat a good piece of hickory.  Nice bow.
Title: Re: Hickory Longbow
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on January 25, 2014, 10:37:02 pm
Nice bow and love the skins!
Mark