Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Santanasaur on February 14, 2021, 02:45:02 pm

Title: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 14, 2021, 02:45:02 pm
This one draws 30# at 24” and is around 50” long. It’s from a stave off a dead standing ERC that’s been in my reject pile for a couple years. I got tired of wondering if there was a bow in there and took it up for fun and a challenge. Turned out to be one of the prettier staves I’ve ever worked, despite the issues.

There were some major drying checks in the back I wasn’t able to get rid of as I chased a  growth ring, so they’re still in the bow. I would have rawhide backed this if it were a more serious bow but decided to just keep the draw weight low. It’s a nice snap shooter for the indoor shop range and was a lot of fun to carve. Here’s the build along and a bit of shooting https://youtu.be/v0dzhhbMQVY
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 14, 2021, 02:46:44 pm
a few more
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Digital Caveman on February 14, 2021, 02:52:00 pm
Nice tiller. I love ERC; I used it a lot when I was in Wisconsin. 

I would not attempt such a short bow with such a volatile wood, are you sure you don't want to use rawhide? 
What finish do you use to preserve the color?
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 14, 2021, 03:00:55 pm
Nice tiller. I love ERC; I used it a lot when I was in Wisconsin. 

I would not attempt such a short bow with such a volatile wood, are you sure you don't want to use rawhide? 
What finish do you use to preserve the color?

I would have rawhide backed this if it were a more serious bow.  Since it was just a fun challenge I left it naked.

Usually I protect my my juniper bows from the light when they’re not in use in a cloth cover like a bow sock. But I think I’ll let this piece age naturally, I like the color in the original stave.
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Allyn T on February 14, 2021, 11:28:20 pm
Can't wait to watch this video
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Stixnstones on February 15, 2021, 12:00:03 pm
Cool lil bow....
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Digital Caveman on February 15, 2021, 12:23:12 pm
I was just thinking that this would be a good kid's bow if it doesn't blow...
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: TimBo on February 15, 2021, 12:51:07 pm
Nice bow and good job with the video!  ERC is such a pleasure to work.  I wonder how much weight and draw length that one would gain with some sinew....hmmm. 
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: gutpile on February 15, 2021, 12:52:30 pm
so how was chasing a ring on ERC...I got a few staves .. one has bug damage on top ring... gut
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: PaSteve on February 15, 2021, 12:54:54 pm
Interesting build and excellent job on the video.
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: RandyN on February 15, 2021, 01:17:29 pm
Great job on the bow. I like your workshop. Thanks for the video. Well done.
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 15, 2021, 01:21:43 pm
That's a good looking little stinker of a bow! Ya done good!
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 15, 2021, 03:10:49 pm
so how was chasing a ring on ERC...I got a few staves .. one has bug damage on top ring... gut

There’s some ring chasing in the video starting around 2 minutes in
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 15, 2021, 03:15:28 pm
Nice bow and good job with the video!  ERC is such a pleasure to work.  I wonder how much weight and draw length that one would gain with some sinew....hmmm.

I was wondering about sinewing. I’m not very experienced with it but might try in the future with this bow
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: gutpile on February 15, 2021, 04:08:56 pm
I saw  the video I was asking how hard was it ... is it easy to see... does it have the crunch on early wood... mine is thin ringed as your appears to be... gut
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Pappy on February 15, 2021, 04:47:46 pm
Nice video, enjoyed it, ERC has never been good to me but I appreciate anyone that can pull it off. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Santanasaur on February 15, 2021, 05:20:08 pm
I saw  the video I was asking how hard was it ... is it easy to see... does it have the crunch on early wood... mine is thin ringed as your appears to be... gut

Yeah you can see the rings but good light helps. There’s not so much of the crunch that something like osage has, but you can still feel the difference between the rings to some extent.

There’s a color progression as you go through the ring that really helps you figure out how far you are between them. As the next one gets close the wood gets slightly translucent and you can see the next ring in advance.
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: gutpile on February 16, 2021, 10:30:17 am
ahhh.. just the info I was seeking brother.. thank you..I got a small piece off a stave I am going to practice on rings are tight... wanting to get a lot of heartwood in one but still keep a sapwood back.. these staves the sapwood is over an inch thick.. my last bow had only a little heartwood in handle and the one I roughed out to recurve is the same..it has some minor nicks in back now might be able to sand out without violation and bug tracks in recurve area.. those will be static anyway...going to sinew it too so its probably ok... gut
Title: Re: Juniper shortbow and build along video
Post by: Will B on February 17, 2021, 11:13:55 am
Beautiful bow!  I really enjoyed your video. Your shop is awesome!