Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BoltBows on April 27, 2021, 05:27:02 pm
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Hi all, hope you enjoy the read and pics:
This is a bow for an old friend who gave me a piece of apple that was pretty darn straight and only slightly twisted. The man is not only an archer but also a 'pomologist'... A what?! Someone who compares apples with apples and can tell the actual differences. Hence his nickname ''Mr. Apple.'' Needless to say he had a wish for a bow out of apple wood so we made a deal. he would trade me a few osage staves for a bow out of apple wood. So here it is.
I kinda freestyled the profile on this one. I drew a straight line on the back and started cutting with an axe, adjusting as I went along.
There were a few knots and cracks that I filled with superglue and also bound one particular knot that I didn't trust.
Apple is supposed to be premium bow wood, but to be honest it felt a bit soggy to me. The wood is definitely dry though. I didn't dare to heat treat it, but next time I definitely will. I think it will improve performance a lot.
In hindsight I think the tiller should be a bit more elliptical, especially on the lower limb. I didn't dare to put too much strain on that kink in the lower limb, but I think it could've taken a bit more. Oh well, it's a fine shooter and I've got to say: Apple is a gorgeous wood! Especially with that osage stain on the back it's a looker if you ask me.
And some stats:
- NTN length: 68''
- Draw weight: 46lbs
- Draw length: 29'' from the belly of the grip (about 29,5'' from the back)
- String(s): 10 strand Spectra 652
- Max width: 47mm
- Stain: Osage/ammonia
- Finish: Tung oil
- Arrows: 11/32 cedar shafts, barreled to 5/16 front and 1/4 back. 100gn points, 4'' feathers.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143951740_65627f9c65_h.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142848731_c59f9191c2_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142169007_d3d9eba570_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142848591_79478b37a1_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143951395_9bae8db346_h.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142168682_f9ce4f7c44_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143062473_1ed22e10f5_h.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51143950975_c132df882f_h.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142848576_0e980353e5_h.jpg) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51142168442_6262d13fe9_h.jpg)
Thanks for checking it out,
Jaap
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Dude... that geometry at the tip is an awesome detail! Don’t think I noticed that on the gram. ;)
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Now that’s how you do it right there. Outstanding
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Great story and an excellent bow.I like horse trading deals.
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Nice bow, great work! Nice to see a apple bow!
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Well done! Is Apple anything like cherry?
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Thats sweet!!! Ive got a huge pipe straight apple log that I got from a friend but it was laying outside fo a year :fp
No buggs under the bark though and it looks good still (made a pretty spoon outa a branch). I havent split it yet and am woried it will be twisty.... but now I gotta break it open ! tottaly inspired
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Nice bow!
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Thanks everyone!
Dude... that geometry at the tip is an awesome detail! Don’t think I noticed that on the gram. ;)
Thanks Ryan haha it's a good thing I post here as well then ;)
Well done! Is Apple anything like cherry?
Cheers! Hmm it's close-grained and both fruit lol. Apple is heavier, stronger, harder and very resistant to splitting. I found it very comparable to hawthorn and pear to work with.
Thats sweet!!! Ive got a huge pipe straight apple log that I got from a friend but it was laying outside fo a year :fp
No buggs under the bark though and it looks good still (made a pretty spoon outa a branch). I havent split it yet and am woried it will be twisty.... but now I gotta break it open ! tottaly inspired
Yes!! Do it! Apple might actually survive even when you cut through the twisted grain.
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Very clean lines on a very nice bow :OK you just rememberd me on that half-finished piece apple in my workshop....man, that stuff is tough to work!
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That's very handsome... looks as though the lower limb is a whisker longer than the upper?... (or at least, it isn't shorter, as is generally the case).
I've made a few LLL (longer lower limb :) ) bows and found they seem to perform well... I think it's all to easy to follow the coneventiona wisdom and have the grip mostly below centre.
That apple wood looks good, a bit pear ::)
Del
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Realy nice bow love it and I learned a new proffession to - pomoligist :D
is it the barks I see left on the back, looks realy nice?
/Jonas
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Clean and beautiful. That’s a pleasure to look at.
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am I blind or is that extreme violations on the back ?.. bow looks killer.. great job...check out them apples...!!! gut
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am I blind or is that extreme violations on the back ?.. bow looks killer.. great job...check out them apples...!!! gut
I was wondering that too but I thought it was just the stain or a little cambuim left ???
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That's very handsome... looks as though the lower limb is a whisker longer than the upper?... (or at least, it isn't shorter, as is generally the case).
I've made a few LLL (longer lower limb :) ) bows and found they seem to perform well... I think it's all to easy to follow the coneventiona wisdom and have the grip mostly below centre.
That apple wood looks good, a bit pear ::)
Del
Yes sharp observation! To be honest I don't know how this happened... The difference in length is more than I'd usually make it.. but oh well lol
am I blind or is that extreme violations on the back ?.. bow looks killer.. great job...check out them apples...!!! gut
You are blind 8) Haha no I forgot to mention that: It's the cambium which is virtually a stack of many paper thin layers. The bark came off when I started to bend it, but this violated cambium pattern would look really cool I thought. Thanks for your kind words!
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Beauty. And tiller is done pretty properly on this tricky stave. 😌💪🏾
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Nice bow.
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Great craftsmanship! I dig the recurve/siyah thing.