Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: TheDeltaFactor on March 19, 2016, 10:06:47 pm

Title: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: TheDeltaFactor on March 19, 2016, 10:06:47 pm: This is my 3rd bow, the first in several years. Nothing fancy, but I wanted to post it since I got great help from browsing the forum, and directly from you all here http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,56292.0.html (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,56292.0.html)

Here it is http://imgur.com/a/dpfsn (http://imgur.com/a/dpfsn)

68" ntn, 45-50# at 28"
Hickory sledge hammer handles spliced together. Rawhide backed. I'm sure it didn't need it, but I had some rawhide and wanted to try applying it with homemade hide glue. Fiebings black then dark brown dye applied in alternating coats until it looked nice. The mottled look on the rawhide was a surprise, but I like it.

The tiller in the picture looks off to me, and now I'm second guessing myself :)

I steamed in about 3" of reflex early on, put it away for a couple days, came back and it had straightened out completely :o It's been very humid here lately, I wonder if that affected it. It's taken about 1-1.5" of set which I gather isn't bad. I doubt it's very fast but it's fun to shoot. Thanks again for the help.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: ajooter on March 19, 2016, 10:10:17 pm: That bow looks great man. I've noticed those axe handles a time or two. There are some nice bows in them. I think you did a fine job.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: TheDeltaFactor on March 19, 2016, 10:31:23 pm: Quote from: ajooter on March 19, 2016, 10:10:17 pm
That bow looks great man. I've noticed those axe handles a time or two. There are some nice bows in them. I think you did a fine job.
Thank you. I found much more suitable wood in the sledges and pickaxes than I ever did in the lumber. 1 bow out of a dozen or two handles, compared to hundreds of boards. The design choices would be limited I guess, but at least you can make a bow out of them.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: arachnid on March 20, 2016, 01:01:28 am: Very nice bowman. I really like the rounded back look. Congratulations
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: GB on March 20, 2016, 02:32:12 am: Turned out really nice... Congrats! I'm certainly no expert, but the tiller looks good to me. Good looking bow!
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: phyankord on March 20, 2016, 02:58:10 am: im honestly shocked you managed to do that with handles xD awesome!
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: sieddy on March 20, 2016, 03:32:37 am: Really good job man it looks to be a great bow! Kudos to Sleek tor recommending Axe handles! :)
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: joachimM on March 20, 2016, 04:10:37 am: Good job on those handles!
Hickory likes to be toasted so you'd probably be able to get rid of some of that set
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: make-n-break on March 20, 2016, 07:00:06 am: Don't second guess the tiller. Looks great. The rawhide looks cool too. Nice work.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: Mac43560 on March 20, 2016, 07:41:33 am: I am inspired to try that now. Those handles are $10 bucks a piece at the hardware store. I'd pay that in just shipping on most billets. More importantly, that's a good looking bow! Congrats.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: TheDeltaFactor on March 20, 2016, 12:45:13 pm: Quote from: joachimM on March 20, 2016, 04:10:37 am
Good job on those handles!
Hickory likes to be toasted so you'd probably be able to get rid of some of that set
I think I'm going to try that on my next one. Can't on this one because of the hide glue, but the set isn't too bad so far. Here's hoping it stays that way.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 20, 2016, 01:35:26 pm: nice job,, congrats
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: TimothyR on March 20, 2016, 02:07:13 pm: Very nice. A bow from hickory handles is on my bucket list. Not to mention I can't buy hickory boards where you live. But I can buy hickory axe handles!m congrats man
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: George Tsoukalas on March 20, 2016, 02:45:37 pm: Awesome! Very impressive. Jawge
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: Stixnstones on March 20, 2016, 07:52:59 pm: Nice work, have always wanted to try that.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: Aaron H on March 21, 2016, 07:44:59 am: I'm I the only one who can't view the pictures?
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: BowEd on March 21, 2016, 09:42:27 am: Very nice job on that bow.Bet it shoots smooth.Unique in a way.Wood is wood.Were both handles from the same store?
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: TheDeltaFactor on March 21, 2016, 02:30:49 pm: Quote from: Beadman on March 21, 2016, 09:42:27 am
...Were both handles from the same store?

Yes. In the two hardware stores I checked there were probably enough handles for 3-4 bows. I plan to try another one, heavier draw weight, when I get the time.
Title: Re: Just finished bow from sledge hammer handles
Post by: sleek on March 21, 2016, 08:21:14 pm: Outstanding bow. Not just in that you made a bow, but its in your craftsmanship. I love it. Good job dude.