Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: SDBurntStick on September 24, 2023, 08:37:07 pm

Title: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: SDBurntStick on September 24, 2023, 08:37:07 pm
This year has been a tough one.  I lost my Dad and as if life wasn't hard enough trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together, along the way, few of them get lost.  I can imagine what the image should look like even through the holes, but sometimes it's hard not to focus on the holes.  With that, I want to share a couple bows.  One is sinew backed Osage with bull snake skins (King) and one is yew backed with rawhide and part of the leftover skins from the first bow as an accent (Queen).  Both tillered to 28" and came in at 58lbs.  Both bows came from billets and are spliced in the handle.  The osage bow is 62" ntn and the yew bow is 66" ntn.  The osage bow much like my dad, strong, tough, and full of energy, while yew much like my mom who has survived him, can take a dent and still fling an arrow with spirit.  I hope you enjoy.  Making bows is a place of solitude for me and I am glad I stumbled into it.  From turning work into function, to exercising creative expression, it's got it all.  I have learned from this forum and really appreciate the wealth of knowledge it has to offer.

I thought it interesting that I had some reishi mushrooms pop out from a maple stump in the yard too.  Seemed only fitting to take a few pictures by the mushroom of immortality.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210461135_21c230b36f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p52wgH)20230922_174739 (https://flic.kr/p/2p52wgH) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210333209_185a42d2ac_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Sf6)20230922_174708 (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Sf6) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210339669_607b3b4956_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Uat)20230924_090711 (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Uat) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53209075752_132ecd68df_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p4UqrN)20230924_090122 (https://flic.kr/p/2p4UqrN) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210340369_e254624e4f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Unx)20230924_090756 (https://flic.kr/p/2p51Unx) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53209958016_3d473c3157_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p4YWHf)20230924_090415 (https://flic.kr/p/2p4YWHf) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210464260_5facdbcc09_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p52xcA)20230924_090239 (https://flic.kr/p/2p52xcA) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210261653_f4e677bd37_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p51uYn)20230924_091417 (https://flic.kr/p/2p51uYn) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210261808_9a99c8b46c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p51v23)20230924_091624 (https://flic.kr/p/2p51v23) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53209079642_4649cea094_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p4UrAS)20230924_090700 (https://flic.kr/p/2p4UrAS) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53210464675_f0eb45e197_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2p52xjK)20230924_090253 (https://flic.kr/p/2p52xjK) by Sean Davis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/199194269@N07/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: superdav95 on September 25, 2023, 12:06:44 am
Gorgeous bows Sean.   Very well executed on both.  I’ve been backing my yew with rawhide as well.  It’s such a soft sap wood.  Bend looks great on both too.  Nicely done. 

Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: GlisGlis on September 25, 2023, 04:12:56 am
awesome bows. Love them both with a slight preference for queen  :OK
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Hamish on September 25, 2023, 04:23:42 am
Quality work.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: bjrogg on September 25, 2023, 07:31:04 am
Very nice Royal Couple there Sean. They rule.

I’m sorry to hear about your difficulties this year.  I know that feeling and I agree completely with your thoughts about making bows and how therapeutic it is. I’m pretty sure it’s kept me out of the luny bin a time or two. The members of this site have been a blessing for me too.

I lost my dad last year and it was very difficult. The only condolence was that it was the end of his suffering and the beginning of his new life.

Take care and don’t let yourself get too far away from your draw knife.

Bjrogg
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Selfbowman on September 25, 2023, 10:07:30 am
Nice bows for sure! Well done.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: SDBurntStick on September 25, 2023, 10:11:02 am
Thanks guys.  I have a slight preference for the queen as well.  Definitely a smooth shooter and I backed with rawhide after having my last yew bow do a high speed come apart in cold weather.  I'd like to be able to hunt with it late season or shoot over the winter without fear of it exploding on me lol.

Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Will B on September 25, 2023, 05:59:31 pm
Sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last year and it was tough…. You did an excellent job on both of those bows. Very nice bend.  Thanks for posting them.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: SDBurntStick on September 25, 2023, 06:15:31 pm
Thanks, and yes it is tough but talking through it helps.  It's an appointment we will all make.

I need to post on here more but I mostly read everyone else's posts.  Hard to squeeze it all in raising a family, working, and making bows lol.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: PaSteve on September 25, 2023, 06:53:07 pm
Really nice bows. Great work on both. Condolences for your father's passing.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: WhistlingBadger on September 25, 2023, 10:22:31 pm
Beautiful work.  Sorry for your losses.  I always admire when people turn grief into something beautiful.  Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Pat B on September 27, 2023, 10:05:08 am
Two beautiful bows with 2 of the best bow woods and you did an excellent job with every bit of them.   :OK
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: wooddamon1 on September 27, 2023, 06:20:02 pm
Very nice work!
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Pappy on September 27, 2023, 09:45:29 pm
Beautiful bows, and loved the story behind them.  :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Of Kings and Queens
Post by: Kidder on September 28, 2023, 12:15:39 am
Those are beautiful bows. I unfortunately share your pain - I lost my dad last year. It never really gets any easier, you just become more accustomed to it. I’m sure your dad would be proud of you and all your amazing accomplishments.