Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Taxus brevifolia on April 04, 2018, 03:53:17 pm

Title: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Taxus brevifolia on April 04, 2018, 03:53:17 pm

Juniper branch, 5' flat bow. Hopefully doesn't end up a kid's bow
https://youtu.be/owXsbgvP1gw

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Hawkdancer on April 04, 2018, 05:31:33 pm

Good luck, and take your time!.  Post lots of pics.
Hawkdancer

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: BowEd on April 04, 2018, 06:34:53 pm

Taxus....It's a fun adventure and good luck.I personally have only messed with red cedar little but that's also a juniper.There's quite a few who have made juniper bows on here though.Keep things informed here good or bad for encouragement or advice.

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Taxus brevifolia on April 06, 2018, 11:07:03 pm

Absolutely will do. It's coming along, I'll put up more pics/vid tomorrow

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Springbuck on April 07, 2018, 07:30:09 pm

Any idea of the juniper variety?  I've only seen a handful of unbacked juniper bows survive, but always willing to learn.

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Taxus brevifolia on April 08, 2018, 11:26:43 am

It's Juniperus occidentalis is I believe. Ishi preferred it to yew for making bows, though I'm guessing that might have been due to the ease of working with it rather than its properties as a bow. I think the Indians usually backed it with sinew. I'm happy to find it, because it can be worked green. I have a buttload of yew thanks to friends and family allowing me to harvest the select best candidates. If you've never hunted for yew for bows, only one in several hundred is really ideal, plus the oddball branch to be found bow and then. But then it takes a year or more to season it before it can be worked, or you'll end up with an inferior bow. But juniper not only CAN be worked green, many bowyer's say it's BEST worked green and THEN set aside to season. This gives me something to work on while I wait for the yew to dry.

Hmm it's about time I make a tillering tree.

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Springbuck on April 08, 2018, 03:33:09 pm

  I'm pretty familiar with juniper, just interested in your attempt at an un-backed juniper bow.

  Also, jealous of your access to yew.  I have all the juniper I care to spend the time finding.

  A lot of guys here and on other sites have also mentioned that seasoning yew for a year isn't needed if you can get it nice and dry without damaging it in the process.  But, best not to rush it, either.

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Taxus brevifolia on April 10, 2018, 01:35:45 pm

 Of course I'll back it. Sinew should do it, I think

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Springbuck on April 10, 2018, 11:37:57 pm

  I was just wondering.  You hadn't mentioned, and I could tell it hadn't been, yet.

Title: Re: Not my first try, but the first one I've made it this far on
Post by: Taxus brevifolia on April 11, 2018, 12:43:57 pm

I haven't a even got much past roughing it out, I'm going slow. I need to make a tillering tree