Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: M2A on March 05, 2021, 11:20:25 pm
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Hi Folks. Finished shooting in a 60" hickory bow today and getting ready to pretty it up so figured I'd post the progress here and maybe that would help some folks out with some new ideas. First off I should state that when I began to make bows I made a few self imposed rules to follow, 1 of those was to use my resources the best I can to complete a bow. This has taken me down the path of making stains and pigments to complete a project. Not always 100% natural but sure do find it interesting using natural materials in the process.
Like stated above my recent project is a nice piece of local hickory. Hickory sap wood is the perfect white wood to use my normal materials on. And this bow, along with arrows and points that need made still, is what I hope to hunt with this fall. My original plan was to keep things more simple however because I think there is some interest I will be putting a bit more
color into it. Just having some fun here now that the hard work is done ;D
So here is the piece 60" ntn. hope to refine the nocks and give it a final sanding tomorrow before I begin on stains.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51007641431_83d8247ad9_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHnuHD)IMG_4078 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHnuHD) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Walnut stain lasts forever and I have some from a few years ago but figured I'd start from the top and make a new batch. It also means I can get them out of the freezer which should make the wife happy:) I collected these in the fall of 2019 and been in cold storage since then.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51006933603_36c6ca08fb_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHiSiH)IMG_4074 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHiSiH) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
A dozen american walnuts in about half gallon water. Put it all in a pot and boiled for an hour.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51007643721_b85f6d96fe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHnvp8)IMG_4075 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHnvp8) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Then I strained off the remaining liquid, removed the solids, and boiled again for an hour. ended up with about 12 oz of stain that should last me a good long while at the rate I use it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51007746132_0cd67ed801_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHo2QQ)IMG_4077 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHo2QQ) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
I do need to add a little alcohol to the mix before long to keep mold from growing on the surface.
Thats where things stand right now. I did cut some barberry today, for yellow, and hope to start on that tomorrow.
Thanks, Mike
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Barberry?!?! :o That stuff is awful!
It should be yanked out, torched, and the ashes scattered >:( It is a growing ball of barbed wire and plagued my days as a landscaper. It is actually illegal to sell it in Maine because it is so invasive.
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I agree about barberry, they are a scourge. The birds love their berries and replant them all over. Years ago I planted some barberries here and I still find seedlings everywhere. At least they are easily spotted.
A good source of yellow is tumeric, the spice. It even stains our porcelain dinner plates when I use it in a recipe.
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As kids we used to eat the berries to keep us going while out wandering the fields and woods. We even made candy with them. One of those flavors you can recall as if you just ate some.
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I also read its a good place for ticks to hang out. They tried to wipe out the American barberry 100 years ago because it is a host to a rust/smut that impacted the wheat crop in the US. Then imported the Japanese to plant all over lol. I would never know the difference between the 2 species but find it common in remote locations in the Allegheny Nation Forrest. Regardless I have a source of larger Japanese barberry with easy access so use that.
Here is the piece I cut yesterday.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51008480818_fa836e2f06_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHrNeQ)IMG_4080 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHrNeQ) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
I use the inner bark for making the stain, so I like to rasp off as much outer bark as is practical 1st. Not sure it matters but seems right to me.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009288517_c997bba613_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvWkF)IMG_4081 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvWkF) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Heres a cross section pic of that branch with the rasp pointing to the layer of inner bark. Pretty wood, I have a few small seasoned pieces set aside, just have not found a reason to use them yet.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009189271_2bf120d2d7_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvqQx)IMG_4082 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvqQx) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Then it's just a matter of scraping off the inner bark.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51008483078_41b8b42803_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHrNUN)IMG_4083 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHrNUN) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Add some alcohol and will let this sit for a couple days. So pretty simple and it makes use of a resource that I have. I should note that if you try anything like this you should exercise some caution. Barberry, like many other plants have been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. If you concentrate the chemicals in these plants you should treat with care. Thats all I'm qualified to say about medicine, so if you try something like this just be smart. Anyways here is what I got now. Need to sand the bow and get it ready.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009191016_08fce14b12_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvrmC)IMG_4084 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHvrmC) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
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Mike, is that barberry a tree? Will it make a bow?
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Its a shrub Morgan. If I recall Simpson made one years ago, but I'm not sure its the same species in Europe. The stuff I have seems rather light for bow wood, if you could find a large/straight enough piece.
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You could probably do more damage to your quarry by simply throwing a ball of barberry branches at it rather than trying to shoot it with a barberry bow.
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Sanding it all down, double checked tiller...Time to begin with some of the walnut stain I made up yesterday. Here is a before pic.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009977857_56f0771cc2_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHztfR)IMG_4094 (2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHztfR) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
This stain is not as easy to use as any over the counter stuff I have tried but it seems I got this batch thick enough and works as well as I can do. I hate to do the same every time but sure do like to use this stain near the grip and sides on white woods so thats what I did here. this is after grip was done.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009877471_34dee2b227_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyXq4)IMG_4095 (2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHyXq4) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
And here is it with this part finished. kinda hard to see but think it shows up well enough.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009978872_533050cbff_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHztym)IMG_4096 (2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHztym) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Thats all for today. I need to let this water based stuff dry over night. Tomorrow I'll knock down the grain on the sides and better fade the stain on the back by using some very fine sandpaper. This stuff is hard to fade out. I found at this point it will also move if it gets wet so got it up high away from any dog noses :) This stuff really makes locust look good and will sometimes use on the whole bow. Tonight or tomorrow I'll begin on making some bloodroot stain(orange)
Thanks, Mike
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Good info! For the yellow, turmeric sounds like a lot less work!
Pat B - I take it that a little turmeric will make a nice shade of yellow?
Hawkdancer
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Yes, Jerry. At least on our dinner plates. ;D I guess it will do the same for white wood.
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looks great enjoy the process,, )P(
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Turmeric may be a good option, if I understand correctly its the same chemical compound for the color in both. May need to try one day but not for this project. Would be easier for many to get maybe. But if you have used, please share your research with pics ofc :)
Thanks Brad!
Hoped to get more done today but something came up and didnt get much time in the shop today.
Used some 1200 grit sandpaper on the walnut stain to knock down any grain and to fade out the stain on the grip. I do like to hit corners a bit harder to lighten it up more.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014152913_92488c1cdf_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHWSmz)IMG_4100 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHWSmz) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Next I got my Dried bloodroot and processed it into powder. If you try this I do recommend using a mask to not breath in the dust! I have seen this online sold for natural medical use. I have some growing in my yard and dig a few roots after it blooms to get me until next year.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014967812_642a7eac56_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ23Ay)IMG_4097 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ23Ay) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014876336_6c5e1abf08_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ1zpo)IMG_4098 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ1zpo) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Added alcohol and its ready to use.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014153438_f016ae9b7e_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kHWSvC)IMG_4099 (https://flic.kr/p/2kHWSvC) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Finally, over the winter I collected some soft rock that was high in iron. Then I heated it in the hopes I'd get a red pigment. Not as bright as I wanted but not bad. I crushed it up today with the intention to add with egg yolk(binder) for a tempra paint. I have used this method with charcoal and some copper compounds but never rock dust. Not much experience with this (only used on 3 bows I think). Going to see what color I get when mixed before I decide if I'll use.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014966362_e6cb906a58_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ23ay)IMG_4101 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ23ay) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51014966102_e195c8a56c_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ2365)IMG_4102 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ2365) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Turning out to be a bit longer and more detailed than I would have figured here. Not an expert on any of this just having some fun. Hope the bow is tillered well enough to warrant the extra work ::) Hope to get back to it tomorrow but it may be a few days before I have more time.
Mike
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Had some unexpected time off this morning, so was a good time to continue. I added the yellow stain to the limbs. Quick and simple and with the amount I made from this batch I will have enough for many more projects. Sure do like the contrast between that and the walnut. Don't feel i need to but going to give the barberry some time to dry before I continue with the bloodroot stain.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51015855688_e135ad7526_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ6AwL)IMG_4103 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJ6AwL) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
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Looking good so far. Dyes are great fun and can really enhance some bows.
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Thanks M2A!! I was hoping you'd show your process! looks awesome, I can't. wait to try making some of these myself, when the walnuts and bloodroot comes back ;D
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Thanks Bownarra!
Great Fox. Happy you got something from this :OK Bloodroot should be blooming here in about 2 weeks or maybe sooner. Any questions along the way feel free to ask. Other resources out there you could try as well that some of the folks here have done as well. Looking forward to what you can do. These material here give some of the best results from what I have tried, and I have tried some odd things. And a few I still want to test out.
Got the bloodroot applied tonight. Pretty bright now and over time it will brown up some but will still keep some of the orange tint.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51017182513_48a1d71131_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kJdoX4)IMG_4105 (https://flic.kr/p/2kJdoX4) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
I like how things look now but did promise a little paint in this project. I'll play around with that in the next day or 2. Just going to keep it simple. Always a good feeling when your finishing up a project that your happy with.
Mike
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Mike,
Very interesting thread and thanks for taking the time to post this...Will keep checking in on this
Don
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That looks really nice Mike! Thanks for explaining your techniques and materials used. I will definitely try some of these on future hickory and other white wood bows. Great job!
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Great thread! Post a pic of your bloodroot flowers when they bloom. Things are not yet ready to green up around here, some of the winter wheat has come up. Most spring prep has not started. We are under a winter weather watch today and tomorrow, the snow phase comes in today, rained yesterday and overnight! Finally! I will be looking for some walnut trees around the area! Going to try the turmeric if I can sneak a bit out of the spice drawer!
Hawkdancer
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Glad you guys are enjoying this :)
Looking at a picture I took last year they bloomed the 1st week of April HD, so a bit later than I was thinking. I have yet to see any sign of them yet this year. Quiver in the picture was somewhat an experiment of some different materials but the Bloodroot was in full bloom then.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49735923533_55ab896d3f_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2iLZBhZ)IMG_3503 (https://flic.kr/p/2iLZBhZ) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Round here walnut trees I usually find walnut trees in creek bottoms. Not sure how far west it grows. Looking forward to seeing what you can do with the turmeric. Doubt it would take much so the wife may not even notice :)
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Got a bit sidetracked this week with some family business but was able to make the tempera paint this morning. Not sold on this style of paint and may try some other methods in the future. Been my experience its better to thin it down with water and use several coats. That helps it stick to the wood better. But this method is simple to make but test it out 1st before you try on a bow you spent the last month making. And if you have worked with this material before and have some pointers I'm all ears.
So, got an egg, the ground rock and some apple charcoal.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51038147392_dc9e50b09d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4R5u)IMG_4108 (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4R5u) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Now the rock and charcoal are not water soluble so the finer you grind it the better and more smooth the final paint will be. I seperate the yolk out, and add a bit of water to it then mix in some of the powder.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51038147712_ae0bb41efe_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4Rb1)IMG_4109 (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4Rb1) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
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Ready to put on the bow at this point. And I try and keep it from an area that will wear much. 1st bow I tried this on I used near the upper string nock and I didnt like how fast it was getting banged up just string the bow but it was also a thinker mix I was making back then. Picture below is 3 thin coats.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51038149067_94a9cb5a42_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4Rzn)IMG_4111 (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4Rzn) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
So this is how it finished up.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51037322353_5e084eef99_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kKZBPF)IMG_4113 (https://flic.kr/p/2kKZBPF) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51038053696_c02f8ef6ea_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4ne3)IMG_4114 (https://flic.kr/p/2kL4ne3) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
And thats all there is to it. Hope this all gives some folks some ideas on what they can do with what they got. I think this project turned out pretty good overall.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51037314068_c5e244ddd1_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kKZzmQ)IMG_4115 (https://flic.kr/p/2kKZzmQ) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
Going to give it a few days before I put the finish on. And then should be ready to go. This was all the easy work. I shot this bow a good many times before I started adding any of this color to it. Hope to get the important Pictures up in a week or so. Thanks for following along.
Mike
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Looks great! :OK
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Nice stain and paint Mike...Can't wait to see this one bent man... (SH)
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Got things finished up on this one. Got a package of goodies from Don Burchett about 2 weeks ago with some pine pitch/alcohol mix so wanted to try it on this piece so i did followed up with some bees wax. Was going to use a harder wax but wanted to keep this this build more to what I can get than what I can buy. I plan to shoot this all summer will keep an eye on this finish, What I can say so far is that its a great protectant coat over may paint work, will use over that paint again. I think it will do well from what I have seen so far. Many thanks Don!
Other than that used the hot iron to do some extras.
Bow turned out nice. Simple design, narrows in the handle some. 60"ntn, classic diamond(top) fishtail(lower) nocks. 53# at 27" lb above goal after a few 100 shots. handle width is 1.25", while max limb width ended up around 1 5/8". Some natural delfex in handle but maintains a bit of overall reflex after unstringing. This is some real nice hickory, look forward to using some more. A little twist in upper limb, tried to heat it out but some came back, but it dont hurt nothing. Did my best on tiller and it shoots well. See something wrong let me know. Been fun, hope this post gives some new ideas to folks. Thanks all,
Mike
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090530112_0493a9b896_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGjCQ)IMG_4148 (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGjCQ) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090988323_4049dc137b_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQJER2)IMG_4126 (https://flic.kr/p/2kQJER2) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090988988_86072cd934_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQJF3u)IMG_4122 (2) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQJF3u) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090531792_0b8992995d_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGk8N)IMG_4123 (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGk8N) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090520679_3a4a4b0a20_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGgQc)IMG_4125 (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGgQc) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51090521954_671f0879df_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGhdb)IMG_4124 (https://flic.kr/p/2kQGhdb) by Mike Allridge (https://www.flickr.com/photos/158435722@N02/), on Flickr
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That turned out great Mike. Excellent work in every aspect.
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Looks awesome. nice.
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Love it! The tiller looks great. Jawge
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Awesome hickory bow! Beautiful bend. Thanks for posting it.
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Wow Mike...Excellent bend on that one! Those nocks are extra special...Love the stain and paint...Hope that Pine shellac works out for you...Great looking bow and thanks for posting the info on your stains and paint... )P(. Don
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Very nice job! There's going to be some copycats out there! Me included! Thanks for posting the dye making info!
Hawkdancer
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Awesome stain job. I’ve also used bloodroot directly out of the root like it’s a marker. that’s a lot less work but the root has to be fresh. In this example I used crushed frozen bloodroot on the belly by just smearing the pulp on the bow. https://youtu.be/z7aX9vilxwc
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Thanks Steve, Fox, George, Will.
Thanks Don, sure like how that pitch protects the paint on this project, also think it may work well for holding down nettle or dogbane the way I been doing things. Got to try and haft up that blade you sent so maybe use some there too.
Good Luck on your project Jerry. I usually test on a piece of scrap before I try anything new. Sometimes things fade or bleach out, or oxidize and turn brown. Another simple dye for you maybe soaking osage shavings in water. I have yet to give that a try and no examples come to mind on white wood but I'm sure its out there I just have not looked yet.
Thanks Santana, good simple way to apply the bloodroot. As kids we use to do it that way to our hands and arms lol. Great video, I have not had any luck with flower peddles keeping their color. Seemed to bleach out when exposed to the sun. The quiver above was done that way but I keep it inside and use for storage because my test pieces bleached out. maybe sealed with shellac, like you did would be better. Regardless, good information!
Mike