Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Sanford on July 20, 2016, 03:24:01 pm

Title: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Sanford on July 20, 2016, 03:24:01 pm

Here's a project I just finished up. A friend from work gave me a giant stave from a hickory tree he cut down for bow making. The piece he gave me was probably 5 to 6 inches wide at the back. I probably could have gotten two bows out of it if I would tried. Anyways, don't have any pics of the process, but this was the first time I split a huge stave and got a bow out of it. It was pretty fun. I split the wood with a hatchet and hammer, and cut it down to size using a hatchet, draw knife, and lots of rasping. I think I used a belt sander at one point when my arm was tired...

Anyways, not sure the measurements, it's like 65" long, 50-ish lbs. (maybe higher I don't really know. I don't usually do a lot of measuring, just like to go by feel. I only threw it on a tillering stick twice.) Took about 2 inches of set, it's ultra humid here right now and I did the work outside, so might have had something to do with it. Shoot pretty well regardless.

Enjoy!

https://goo.gl/photos/CAe7eHMwvK2UZf9eA

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Stick Bender on July 20, 2016, 03:41:13 pm

Nice looking hickory congrats !

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: BowEd on July 20, 2016, 05:21:47 pm

Looks like a dandy bow.Congrats.My first dozen and a half bows were made with the same tools as you there only I did'nt even have a belt sander yet.In my experience with hickory if I get it dry and I mean dry dry usually it performs pretty good.Then putting a good finish on it really helps it stay that way.Storing it in 50% humidity too.

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: BowEd on July 20, 2016, 05:33:01 pm

Great pics of your bow man....Can see practically all the details of tiller on this one.Looking closer at your bow your bottom limb could work more just out of the fade to even it up with the top limb bending look alike.Could be you got the bow canted too.Still great bow though.

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Sanford on July 20, 2016, 06:07:55 pm

Thanks! Yea it might be a little uneven, the limb is skinnier towards the handle so I was getting more bend there, I did my best to even it up. And it is canted so it's not as bad as that pics shows.

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Weylin on July 20, 2016, 06:12:48 pm

Nice looking bow! Thanks for sharing.  8)

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: tattoo dave on July 20, 2016, 06:15:15 pm

Good lookin piece of hickory there Sanford!

Tattoo Dave

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: ty_in_ND on July 20, 2016, 10:21:10 pm

Congrats on a nice looking bow! I love it when people make whitewood selfbows and they manage to get some heartwood in their handles. Well done!

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Pappy on July 21, 2016, 06:41:39 am

Good looking Hickory stick. :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 21, 2016, 08:32:26 am

Very nice. Congratulations! Jawge

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Sanford on July 21, 2016, 10:06:49 am

I must confess, there is no heartwood left on this bow. I finished is with a Danish oil/stain mix that gave it a more reddish tint. Really took a darker look at the fades that I kinda like!

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: ty_in_ND on July 21, 2016, 10:16:00 am

Ok, I can see it better now that I looked at it on a computer screen instead of my phone. Still looks pretty slick!

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Cromm on July 23, 2016, 06:38:18 am

Great looking bow, well done.

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 23, 2016, 10:09:32 am

Feel free to stand in the front row with that bow when photos are taken.  Ain't a lick of shame in that one, but plenty to be proud about.  It really hits my sweet spot, between the choice of wood, the style of bow, the finish, and the simplistic handle wrap.  With that straightforward design and execution, there was nowhere to hide a flaw. 

Feel free to blow us up posting more of your work.

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Sanford on July 25, 2016, 10:24:54 am

Thanks everyone! I have a few bow projects in the works so I'll post if all goes well. I'm about a bow a year kinda guy so it'll be a bit!

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: Knotty on July 25, 2016, 10:52:05 am

Really gorgeous piece of wood too! Nice job 😊

Title: Re: Hickory Self Bow
Post by: DuBois on July 26, 2016, 09:29:11 pm

Finally got a look at this one. Couldn't open t up last time for some reason.
Very nice weapon!