Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bjrogg on February 03, 2023, 10:40:40 am
-
It’s been way too long since I’ve made any shavings.
Had this 47” long piece of Osage sitting around for a few years with a ring chase and roughed out .
Wasn’t sure if I would make a short bow or use it for a billet.
I decided it’s going to be a short bow.
A little shy of 47” tip to tip
I’m still not sure what I m going to make .
I know a little person who had a low weight fiberglass bow as a child. It was part of his physical therapy and he asked me if I could make him a Selfbow.
I told him I would like him to come over and learn how to string, shoot and just plain care for a Selfbow before I gave him one.
As often happens it seems like it has been difficult for the two of us to get our schedules to match up. Mostly it’s my fault.
I’ve had this stick in mind for his bow.
Hopefully we can get together soon.
In the meantime it felt good to make some shavings.
Bjrogg
-
Here’s the stick dust and all
-
It has a good amount of character. A bunch of twist too.
I think it would fit my little person friend good
Bjrogg
PS it’s still yellow under that aged Osage. the first shavings
-
Tear it up farmer.
-
Thanks Pearl its definitely way overdue
Got it bending a little last night but I know it’s way, way to heavy for my friend yet.
Bjrogg
-
Here’s the unbraced profile before I started bending it
Bjrogg
-
Sure felt good to make a few shavings. I know this much isn’t a bow.
Bjrogg
-
Now I have to get back at my real job, but hopefully I get back at this one before it turn dark brown again
Bjrogg
-
Lucky fella to have you making him a character Osage selfbow. Always like seeing your bows on here. Good luck with your build.
-
Very nice gestured good to see you making shavings. Jawge
-
Lucky fella to have you making him a character Osage selfbow. Always like seeing your bows on here. Good luck with your build.
He will if we can get together again. I sent him a text this morning. It’s a little bit hard for him to get around and my time is always so limited.
Thanks for the kind words
Bjrogg
Got my brother to take a picture of floor tiller.
Way to heavy for him but it’s starting to bend evenly
Bjrogg
-
Floor tiller
-
Very nice gestured good to see you making shavings. Jawge
Thanks George I think I’m going to do some on my lunch break
Bjrogg
-
Great cause bj. I’ve found that some young people really appreciate the effort and skill it takes to make and care for a self bow and some do not. I hope that little guy appreciates this and cherishes it. Very cool.
-
Great cause bj. I’ve found that some young people really appreciate the effort and skill it takes to make and care for a self bow and some do not. I hope that little guy appreciates this and cherishes it. Very cool.
This little person isn’t a young one. He’s only a couple years younger than me. He was a couple grades below me in school. I’m pretty short, but he is (I’m trying to be respectful) a little person. When I was growing up a midget. We were both always in the front row for pictures at school.
When he was a kid he had lots of physical therapy and one of the things he did was shoot a light weight fiberglass bow. He really likes my Selfbows, arrows and stuff.
He answered my text . He’s trying to get a newer vehicle. He needs hand controls so it’s not a simple task.
I did get a little more bending on my lunch break. Then I did a little heat correction
Bjrogg
-
Looking solid! BJ I’m watching this . Best of luck to you and the shorter man. Arvin
-
Well I misunderstood that then. Still a great cause. Bend looks good so far
-
Shaping up nicely already. Can’t wait to see what you get out of that short stave.
-
Thanks guys.
No problem Dave I can certainly see how I could have been misunderstood.
My little person friend text me back and seems to have a pretty good idea what he wants. Said his draw was 16” and he wanted about 10 lbs for draw weight. Says he has shoot off the knuckles before so he doesn’t want arrow shelf.
I worked on it some more last night. Shaped the tips and put string notches in. Roughly shaped the handle. I have it ready for a string but I figured I better get home before I get in trouble with my wife.
Hopefully today I can get it a string and get it really close to that 10 @ 16”
Bjrogg
-
Looking good BJ, take you time, they get really touchy went you get them below 20 or so. That is about what I just made for the grand kids and they can get away from you fast. Watching and good luck, I am sure he will love it . Pappy
-
Looking good BJ, take you time, they get really touchy went you get them below 20 or so. That is about what I just made for the grand kids and they can get away from you fast. Watching and good luck, I am sure he will love it . Pappy
[/quote
Thanks Pappy and thanks for the tips.
I have made a several very similar to this .
I’m going to get a string on next. I’m pretty sure I’m still way to heavy, but I know that it gives up fast from here on out. Pretty sure the rest is going to be scrapper and sand paper.
Hopefully will have some updated pictures later.
Bjrogg
-
Well I made up a string and scraped off what wasn’t a bow. Probably still a little more that doesn’t belong, but I think I’m going to wait till I can put it in the owners hand.
Bjrogg
PS it really gets tricky figuring out what isn’t a bow now. Just a couple scraps are noticeable
-
Unbraced profile
-
Braced
-
I took it a to about 17”
I don’t want to take any more weight off until he tries it out.
I don’t really trust this scale at these low weights. It says about 19@16”
,but the scale is at about 3 without anything on it. That’s maybe around 16@16”
By the time I sand it I’m thinking it might be close. Id rather be just slightly heavy than to light.
Bjrogg
-
Lookin good
-
Thanks Dave.
Hoping to get together with my little person friend today. He lives off grid in a little old shack by a creek. He’s a tough little guy. I wasn’t sure if he stayed there during the coldest parts of winter but he does.
Hopefully I can get some full draw pictures with him today and get his bow to fit him perfectly.
Bjrogg
-
Turned out nice. I bet he will love it.
-
That looks s good, Bj. Tiller is awesome. Jawge
-
Looking good. I know I've made a lot of kids bows and they certainly are touchy. Just make sure it's not too heavy for him. Kids will always tell you it's okay but you can see the look in their eyes when they pull it back and whatever weight it comes out to be does not matter as a kid could care less. You remember Caul at marshall? I helped to make his first bow. He pulled it back and said it felt good. So I told him pull it back 10 times in a row and by the 6th or 7th time he was running out of gas. We took five more pounds off of it and he enjoyed it much more but he also outgrew it quicker. Also if you flip your bow upside down you will take the weight of the scale out of it
-
Thanks Paul I know you have and very good advice.
I’m expecting to be too heavy yet but I wanted to make sure before I go further.
I should find out pretty soon.
One thing is he’s probably not going to out grow this one.
Bjrogg
-
Well that was a really interesting visit with my little person friend.
His life has from the beginning been about adapting. Trying to do the things we do, but in a way that fits
Bjrogg
-
Very cool of ya, BJ. Bow looks great, hope it works out for your buddy. I'm sure he'll love it.
-
He has a unique form. This is how he shoots a bow.
Bjrogg
He puts the bottom limb against his foot. That’s how he adapted
-
I took off another 5 lbs. still have to sand. I’m hoping I can customize this bow more to fit him.
Then get a nice arrow that will fly like a dart
Put water buffalo overlay
Bjrogg
-
Love the look of that braced bow! Very nice!
-
Way cool.
-
Awesome job!
-
Good job BJ. ;)
Pappy
-
I’ve got some flight shafts. Call me if you need some, I like the bow!
-
Well you sure didn't waste much time getting that one made. Looking good, cant wait to see things all finished up. I have a light weight project in the vice now so going to be coming back to this thread and the couple pappy just made.
Mike
-
You did a great job on this difficult stave, Brian and what a great gesture for your friend. Well done. 8) :OK
-
Thanks George I really like it too. I was a little worried about the length but I think it fits him pretty good. Might have gone a couple inches shorter. If this one doesn’t work out I will make another. Have already learned a great deal on this one.
Thanks Damon, Dave, Will and Pappy. It sure feels good to put some life back in a stick again and honestly I don’t think I have ever enjoyed watching someone shoot one of their bows more. Was really awesome experience
Arvin I was thinking about making a light hill cane arrow and I probably will. But I wouldn’t turn down your offer. I have made some really nice shooting kids arrows but the shaft material is usually a little hard to come up with.
3/4 of the secret to making a cool little bow shoot great is the arrow
I did sand her down and put a thin coat of tru-oil on
Waiting for that name to come to me. I have a couple rolling around in my head.
Bjrogg
-
Well you sure didn't waste much time getting that one made. Looking good, cant wait to see things all finished up. I have a light weight project in the vice now so going to be coming back to this thread and the couple pappy just made.
Mike
Well if you don’t count the three years that passed between chasing a ring and tillering.lol
Bjrogg
Thanks Pat
-
great tiller BJ very nice bow :OK
3/4 of the secret to making a cool little bow shoot great is the arrow
I'd stay light and a little longer than usual
-
I hope he enjoys his BJ bow, its a nice one.
-
looks great congrats,, :)
-
Beautiful bow for sure! Jawge
-
Thanks guys.
He was totally thrilled with it and thanked me over and over again for making it for him. I really do hope it works out for him.
I’m thinking I’m down to putting several coats of tru-oil on and coming up with a name. Have a couple ideas but haven’t quite had the perfect name come to me yet. I’m sure it will though.
I really did enjoy making this one. Everything about it was a pleasure.
Bjrogg
-
I’m thinking about the name “Jogah” if I understand correctly it is Iroquois for drum dancers. Little people who live in the area of the Great Lakes.
I’m pretty illiterate when it comes to this stuff but if that’s right I kinda like the name.
If anyone has knowledge of this I would love to hear it.
Bjrogg
-
drum dancer is pretty cool,, in africa, the drums always announce some special event,,Im sure what you pick will be perfect
-
Yes the more research I do the more it looks like jogah (jo-ga-ho) is the perfect name for this bow.
Iroquois for drum dancers a small mostly invisible spirt who lives by the stony creeks and caves. They are sometimes seen by respectful people, especially medicine men and elders. They love children and take care of them if they are alone. They take care of the plants and are responsible for their yield. They helped respectful Iroquois farmers. They were very strong and came out at night to control the snakes and underground demons. They left small pots where offerings of tobacco and fingernails could be left.
I think it is jo-ga-ho
My little person friend lives beside a stony Creek
Bjrogg
-
Bj, the bow is great but the goodness of your heart is greater! Jawge
-
Very cool bow with some character. Super nice gesture. I’m sure he will love it, even if it’s just for the fact you made it for him. You are a very good friend.
-
Bj, the bow is great but the goodness of your heart is greater! Jawge
Thank You George. It certainly did my heart good to do this one. I think I got more out of it than I gave. I started on an arrow last night. I can’t wait to see him shoot it again. I think he might have been a little disappointed when I text him I took another 5 lbs off. He said it was just right, but I’m really hoping it allows him to shoot easier and maybe even without his unique form. I’m sure he is thinking it won’t have enough cast, but I think with the right arrows he is going to be really surprised. Let’s hope so anyway.
Thanks everyone for the kind comments.
Bjrogg
-
Working on an arrow.
As I said before 3/4 of the secret to making a really fun to shoot little bow is the arrow.
I’ve made quite a few but I think this is one of my favorites so far.
I started out with the skinny end of the skinniest River cane shaft I had. I straightened it with heat and wrapped both ends with sinew to keep them from splitting.
Then I screwed in this torques screw. Then I bare shaft tested it drawing the bow it’s for to the owners 16” draw. It flew straight right off the bat. That’s great. If it had flown sideways I would’ve had to either add or subtract point weight.
This screw with the head on would probably make a cool bunny buster.
I’m kind going for the cool factor though and these screws allow me to do something that I normally couldn’t with my other arrows.
I decided why not interchangeable points.
So I made a tiny broad head.
Bjrogg
PS decent FOC. Not a lot but a little bit.
-
Then I took one of the screws to the torch and heated and forged out a flat point drawing the tip out as much as I could.
-
Then I shaped the point and sharpened it on my grinder.
And there you have it. The cool factor and still interchangeable with the bunny buster or more child safety oriented.
Bjrogg
-
That's a really neat idea with the little broadhead. That would be mean on a squirrel :)
-
Very cool Brian. I bet he will really be surprised.
-
The mini broadhead looks like these Naskapi points.
-
I guess it’s a case of history repeating itself again. Im sure if they had screw in points they would have used them to.
I got my Bjrogg markings on the shaft and ready to fletch. Gonna be a fun little setup
Bjrogg
-
Finished the arrow
Probably should be in the arrow section, but these arrows make this bow so much fun to shoot.
The skinniest hill cane shaft I could find. 24” long and straight as an arrow.
#8x2 torques screw for head. Forged into a broad head.
The shorter wild turkey tail feathers, sinew wrapped two fletch.
Bjrogg
-
See if I can post the pictures here
-
That arrows to pretty to shoot. Now you need to make him some stumpers, or at least teach him how.
-
Neat idea. that screws seems appear to be funztionals
the torques screw could secure a truncated cone made of wood and provide a wider, heavier blunt
-
Yes GlisGlis I have been thinking of some designs for different tips. Certainly makes some options.
I think I have this one done now. I can’t wait to see my friend shoot it again. I’m very curious how it will work for him now.
Hopefully get some profile pictures again soon.
Here’s a little teaser in the meantime.
Bjrogg
-
A few more
-
I gave my little person friend his bow today. It went even better than I hoped for. He was able to string it and unstring it by himself. I can tell he has some experience.
Best of all he is developing a new form. One that he doesn’t have to adapt to. A truly custom bow that fits him.
The red stripe on the arrow is 16”. He’s about 15” maybe a hair less, but I think he will buildup a little more strength and straighten his bow arm out a little.
At any rate he will probably be hunting the underground creatures soon.
Bjrogg
-
Dude, that's awesome! The bow, arrow, the story behind it, everything. Really cool to be able to follow along with this.
-
That came out great, and with the extra weight you took off really helped his form. You are a good friend for sure.
-
Dude, that's awesome! The bow, arrow, the story behind it, everything. Really cool to be able to follow along with this.
Thanks Aaron. This really has been a fun build. Being a short person myself and having to adapt at times to make things work. I have a special place in my heart for little people.
I hope he shoots this one so much he wears it out and needs another someday, but I think it will last him a long time. Might need some more arrows though.
He was hitting the center of the cardboard box we setup for a target. There was no shortage of smiles from everyone watching.
Bjrogg
-
That came out great, and with the extra weight you took off really helped his form. You are a good friend for sure.
Thanks Bentstick. I know he was concerned about the weight I removed but when he was able to string and unstring it himself. I was sure I made the right choice. When he drew the bow he knew to.
Bjrogg
-
What a great project! In the past when I made a bow for a very special deserving person, it always seemed like the bow made itself. The usual problems with stave straightening, twisted limbs, tiller and hitting poundage never cropped up. If divine intervention is possible in bow making, I might have seen it.
-
Thanks Eric. I could feel the karma from this one.
Bjrogg
-
That’s a great story and an awesome bow. I’m sure your friend will get years of enjoyment out of your gift. Great job!
-
:OK
-
Thanks Will B. I think it should last him a long time. Hoping he shoots the snot out of it.
Thanks Bob for everything
Bjrogg
-
Nice job BJ, I am sure he will enjoy it for years to come. :)
Pappy
-
Sounds like a win for everyone. Nothing like building something for a friend, and nothing like receiving a hand made custom bow/arrow. Really enjoyed the read BJ, thanks for sharing. Nice set you made!
Mike
-
Wow, that's a great build from a great friend to another! You both are lucky!
-
Thanks Pappy, Mike and Scott. Couldn’t have done it without all the information I have gathered from the people on this site.
Bjrogg
-
Beautiful bow and nice looking arrow. Well done. It never feels like time wasted making something like this for someone else who will appreciate it. You must have made him happy with that kit.
-
Heck yes! Killer bow!
-
Super killer bow and very king of you. 👍
-
Bjrogg,
Very nice bow and I'm sure your friend very much appreciates you making it for him.
Take care,
Brian
-
Beautiful bow and nice looking arrow. Well done. It never feels like time wasted making something like this for someone else who will appreciate it. You must have made him happy with that kit.
Thanks Aksel you’re so right about that. I definitely get my most satisfaction from making one that someone really enjoys shooting. I find that very rewarding.
Bjrogg
-
Thanks ssrhythm, IdahoMatt and Brian.
Bjrogg
-
Outstanding, BJ. The bow and arrow are beautiful. It is such kind gesture! Jawge
-
Outstanding, BJ. The bow and arrow are beautiful. It is such kind gesture! Jawge
Thank You Jawge. One last time. You always had an encouraging reply.
I decided to bring this one back to the front for Tom for the BOM.
I know it’s not your normal BOM type bow but what the heck. I’m probably about as proud of this bow as any I’ve made.
One for the little people
Bjrogg
-
Very good bow and a great gesture Brian. Well done sir.
-
Nice little bow for the little dude. nice lid.