Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: wizardgoat on April 07, 2015, 03:20:15 am
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Last spring me and the wife had a short vacation in the Okanagan valley. Its British Columbias desert, my family used to go there alot when I was a kid.
I knew Rocky Mountain Juniper grew there, but very small and gnarly. We drove to the top of a mountain, and started to find some usable wood.
Every stave had super thin growth rings, would put my best yew to shame.
This bow is by no means a replica, but was greatly inspired by the west coast styles.
Made from a 3" diam branch, and roughed out just a few days after being cut. It had a small natural set back handle, and a fairly flat back.
I reverse braced it and laid down a layer of sinew. After a week, the string was no longer tight, so I added more tension and laid down one more layer.
I regret not recurving the tips, or setting the handle back a little more, but I sort of dove into it, I only had 5 or 6 bows under my belt at the time.
It sat in the corner until recently I picked it up and finished her,
A small roller coaster in the top limb, but other than that it was pretty problem free to tiller.
Cherry bark grip, sinew wrapped tips and a 2 ply sinew string.
She's 51" t2t, and pulls a bit over 50# at 25"
unbraced photo is right after shooting, it creeps up to about 2" after a while.
I "weathered" it with model paint inks and powder pigments. Was going for a "heavily soiled just found in a bog" look, haha, not sure if I'll do it again but
I had fun experimenting.
Bow number 20 for me, Thanks for looking guys, cheers
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3706_zpsg5ot97ts.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3706_zpsg5ot97ts.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3726_zpsvfmbvgvj.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3726_zpsvfmbvgvj.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3725_zpsbpjzaddh.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3725_zpsbpjzaddh.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3724_zpsmchfbdfu.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3724_zpsmchfbdfu.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3710_zpsh381ikex.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3710_zpsh381ikex.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3696_zpslvjfxs0t.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3696_zpslvjfxs0t.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3699_zpsbgjdhjkd.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3699_zpsbgjdhjkd.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_3748_zpsb7ukdlc4.png) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_3748_zpsb7ukdlc4.png.html)
Taking care of business...
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_0836_zpsvnzy3cmu.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_0836_zpsvnzy3cmu.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_0838_zpsrakddzuv.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_0838_zpsrakddzuv.jpg.html)
(http://i1370.photobucket.com/albums/ag255/wizardgoat/IMG_0835_zpsiojxm9oh.jpg) (http://s1370.photobucket.com/user/wizardgoat/media/IMG_0835_zpsiojxm9oh.jpg.html)
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Woo, I really like that, proper hunting weapon. Sure the fancy paint jobs look great, but would they use 'em for hunting?
Dunno, but that bow looks just right to me :).
Del
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Two thumbs up ! Specially like the grip. Bob
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Sick bow, where at in the Okanogan valley did you get it from? I live in Tonasket and i've seen quite a bit of juniper higher up
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I love the looks of that one its got a real natural almost feral look. Obviously full of the spirit of that incredible landscape! :)
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Sweet bow wizard. That came out really nice. Did you knap the points too?
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Man what a beautiful bow, excellent craftmanship as always.
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Man....that dog will hunt right there. Very nicely done.
rich
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That one has primitive cool written all over it. 8)
Grip, finish,style, bend all look great. And a sinew string to top it off, man that is nice.
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Great looking bow Wizard...I know that bow is a quiet one but deadly, looks like you discovered a cave and found that relic... 8)
Don
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I like the look of that bow all around especially the finish work....reminds me of Greg's finish work. Great job man...your turning out some beauties.
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You did a good job with that bow, very well done
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That is a Kool looking stick . And I love the picture with the arrows .nice.
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A+, Wiz. Great attention to detail - the whole thing just looks great together. You've got a ton of talent at 20 bows. I can't imagine what we'll see from you at 100. Way to go!
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very nice... very very nice...
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Fantastic job goat. I love all of it :). Those arrows are great too
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I love that one - great job. The arrows look awesome too - is that model paint as well?
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Very good work all over. Especially like the finish job, and of course the arrows are a fantastic.
Really love your pics with that wonderful landscape.
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Killer bow man
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very nice congrats :)
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That brace pic with the moss is adorable. Awesome curves. ;D
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Good job Whiz. You wanted a certain look and you got that look. That can be tough to do.
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Real nice.. Love the color..
Thanks Leroy
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Nice job. Is that your first sinew backed?
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I like the whole set up. That bow look's like it's hunted long and hard.
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Awesome bow, I've been wanting to get my hands on some cedar for awhile now. Beautiful calendar girl as well >:D
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That looks like a compact little powerhouse! I would say that you nailed the look you were going for. What bog did you say you found that in? ;D
Cool pics of harvesting it...looks like a nice blind to go sit in come fall ;)
And another sinew string!? you have upped the primitive bar here.
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I am quickly becoming a fan of your bows! I don't know what I like the most - the bows or the spectacular photos. That whole primitive set is awesome.
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Awesome in every way! Great work!
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Love the look of that bow. Really nice work.
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Looks like a well aged piece wizard goat, I like that finish job. Juniper and sinew is a hard combo to beat in my book.
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very nice, tiller looks great and love the arrows/points also. :)
Pappy
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Impressive bow there Wizardgoat!
And what beautiful country you have to harvest the timber, I would love to get over there one day........
Thanks for sharing..
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You gave that piece of wood the respect it deserved. Very nice bow!
...and nice pictures too
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Thanks for the kind words guys, I really appreciate it!
Zion - the wood was cut 20 minutes outside of Pentiction. We didnt find anything good until we went way up high
Falcon and Timbo - totally forgot to mention the arrows. Dan Wakolbinger aka bowmo knapped the points. They are 3 different kinds of cherts, not sure what. The shafts are ocean spray.
Tree Ninja - This was my 4th sinew bow, second sinew/juniper bow.
Carson - I was surprised actually how quick and easy it is to make a sinew string. They shoot actually pretty well, and just feel right on these kinds of bows.
I think my strings may be a little over built, I havent seen any others in person to compare. Better over built than under built I suppose
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Great bow. Sinew/juniper is an amazing combo!
I'm coming to B.C. next year.....man I can NOT wait!
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Man that thing looks killer. You must have a pile of backstrap sinew or something...the little whitetail leg tendons I have are short and a pain in the rear to try to make strings with. Super nice looking set up all around.
Oh yea, and those points are Pedernales, Georgetown, and Keokuk
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Really cool looking bow. I like that weathered look you created with the paint.
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Thanks guys
Mike - will you be in Vancouver?
Dan - ya they're MUCH easier with back straps
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That is one sweet looking abo bow, arrows and string! Well done!
It gives me incentive to work on a Osage stave I have with super thin rings. I think it's crying out to be sinew backed.
Great work goat!!
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love the bow talent my man,and this is where i live okanagan valley,vernon bc you have to tell me what road you took they not always that big,thanks for shareing look forward to hear from you.
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Thanks guys. Jimmy, I don't know the exact location off the top of my head. We were hiking the old train track paths that go around the lake
It was near penticton, and close to the very top of the mountain.
4" branch over 100 years old.
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I like it! That is primitive archery!
Great job!