Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Ontario Archer on February 26, 2015, 03:28:15 pm

Title: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Ontario Archer on February 26, 2015, 03:28:15 pm
Hello all,
      I'm new to the forum, so here's my first posting in the bows section. This is my third successful bow (and first D-Bow), made from a knotty piece of wild apple; I guess that would make it a character bow of sorts. It has five large knots left proud and a handful of pin knots. One large knot is under the leather grip and serves as a finger locator, for consistency. Here are some specs:
1. Wood: wild apple (this one grew in a multi-trunk formation)
2. Length: 57" nock to nock
3. Draw weight: 55#@29" (my draw length)
4. Finish: acrylic paint for signature, boiled linseed oil for rest
5. String: B-50 Dacron, 10 strands, Flemish loop at top, bowyer's knot at bottom
6. Tiller style: D bow (native inspired)
7. Silencers: wrapped fur
8. Nock point: tied on
9. Width at grip: 1.5"
10. Width at tips: .5"
11. String Follow: 2.5" (after approx. 500 shots).

Notes: the string follow would be less had the stave allowed greater length, but I was limited by a very large side branch coming off the main trunk. But still, this bow shoots fast and is a pleasure to carry in the bush. I don't notice any hand shock. I imagine the silencers, leather handle wrap and my loose grip style help in that regard.
      This is my first bow not to develop any crysals at all, so I'm confident it will last a while. I used only hand tools on this one, as with all of my bows.
      Any feedback is welcome.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 26, 2015, 03:57:54 pm
Dang! That bow is getting done. Nice job.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Parnell on February 26, 2015, 04:05:56 pm
That's pretty cool.  Wild apple?  Do you have an unbraced picture?
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Gsulfridge on February 26, 2015, 04:16:13 pm
I like it.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Springbuck on February 26, 2015, 04:18:22 pm
Well, your execution is pretty much flawless.  Apple is actually GREAT bow wood, and I often have access to it, but it usually twists like rotini.  I'd use it a lot more if it didn't.  Tame apple trees often get trimmed or topped heavily and then neglected for years and have great 2" thick staves, they just twist.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: lebhuntfish on February 26, 2015, 04:22:41 pm
Beautifully bow! Getting a lot if bend out of that short thing but your tiller looks spot on! Welcome to PA! Hope to see more of your work! Patrick
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: sieddy on February 26, 2015, 04:55:01 pm
Very nice indeed! I imagine wild apple is a nice wood to work (once you've managed to wrestle the bend past all the knots!) I look forward to seeing more of your bows on here! :-)
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: joachimM on February 26, 2015, 05:08:04 pm
Wow that's a great job you did there. I haven't yet come across a decent apple branch or log that I would use for a bow, but your knots would have convinced me not to try what you did.
Apple is said to be very elastic wood, and you sure show it makes good bows!
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: bubbles on February 26, 2015, 06:31:50 pm
Looks good. Where in ontario are you located?
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 26, 2015, 06:36:40 pm
Looks great! Nicely done. Jawge
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 26, 2015, 07:00:15 pm
Nicely done.  I've seen quite a few  nice Apple bows here over the years and yours is up there with them
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Badly Bent on February 26, 2015, 07:59:06 pm
Welcome to the forum and real nice bow there. 29" draw out of a 57" bow is no easy task and you kept it from being whip tillered to boot, exceptional looking tiller in fact. Looking forward to seeing your next bow. :)
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Swampman on February 26, 2015, 08:16:55 pm
That is a great looking D bow with a great tiller, especially with that draw length.  Welcome and hope to see more of your work in the future.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on February 26, 2015, 10:03:02 pm
Awesome bow, I've been wanting to get some apple to try, but I'm with Springbuck, it's usually twisted up.  Finishes up real nice.  I like the knot/branch there.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Sidewinder on February 26, 2015, 11:05:05 pm
Really nice job on that. Could we see some more of the knots on the back?
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Arrowind on February 27, 2015, 12:43:07 am
Very nice!  Well done.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: wizardgoat on February 27, 2015, 02:23:07 am
nice looking bow! would love to see unbraced and the full draw shot without the circle in it
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: chamookman on February 27, 2015, 04:13:31 am
Congrats, that's a Dandy! I'd say You got all of that for the length. Bob
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Del the cat on February 27, 2015, 05:03:54 am
Great bow. impressive weight and draw for that length.
Del
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Ontario Archer on February 27, 2015, 03:55:08 pm
That's pretty cool.  Wild apple?  Do you have an unbraced picture?

Thanks, yes. Here's an unbraced picture. FYI it hasn't been shot yet today.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Ontario Archer on February 27, 2015, 03:56:46 pm
Looks good. Where in ontario are you located?

Thanks, I'm in Cornwall, near the US border.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: Ontario Archer on February 27, 2015, 04:02:24 pm
nice looking bow! would love to see unbraced and the full draw shot without the circle in it

Thanks, I just posted the unbraced picture. Here's the full draw, sans circle.
Title: Re: Wild Apple D-Bow
Post by: PatM on February 27, 2015, 04:21:10 pm
Looks good. Where in ontario are you located?

Thanks, I'm in Cornwall, near the US border.
I grew up just a bit up the river in Brockville.