Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: 330bull on June 17, 2008, 01:51:28 am

Title: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: 330bull on June 17, 2008, 01:51:28 am
Hi All, 

This bow is very, very special to me.  If you'll indulge me, allow me to elaborate as to why.  It came off "The Property" that my Grandpa bought over 35 years ago in Western Oregon, near a little town named Vernonia.  I grew up going down to "The Property" all of my childhood, my teenage years and as a young adult.  We used the property for camping in the spring in summer, and then as a deer & elk camp in the fall.  Most of my fondest memories came from the times I spent with my Grandpa hunting and fishing with him down at this property.  In 1996 he died and it still brings tears to my eyes when I think of him; he really was my best friend. 

Fast forward to the spring of this year, me and my family are cleaning up the aftermath of a flood that rose higher than the "500 year flood" that happend in 1996.  Go figure!   :-\  Anyway as I was picking up debris I noticed some clusters of trees I had never seen before.  They were Hazelnut trees!!!  So I stopped for a bit and picked up a few staves and man oh man I could not wait to carve up a now from my Grandpa's property.  I promised myself that I would take the sweetest care in building and tillering any piece of wood from this place.  After countless hours of TLC, I can honestly say I have never been more proud of something I have made from my own two hands without any direct help from anyone else.  And the icing on the cake, the handle is wrapped from some buckskins that my dad found in my Grandma's attic this winter.  Holy cow was I excited to get my hands on that leather! 

I plan on hunting for deer with this bow in the fall.  I know my grandpa will be with me, he's always with me.  I look forward to raising the bow, tightening my grip, and grasping the same piece of leather that my Grandpa laid his hands on.  I hope he helps me guide that arrow to its final resting place.

This is what draws me to crafting bows, every one of them has a story, and they will continue to create more.  I hope everyone enjoys the ride as much as I do. 

OK now the stats:

- Hazelnut stave, from the property
- Backed with Cherry Bark, from the property
- Handle is buckskin from a buck that my Grandpa shot
- Handle "thread" is artificial sinew
- 58" ntn
- 56# @ 26"
- Limbs are 1 3/8" at the handle fades & taper down to ~3/8"
- Stain is Trans Tint Amber Yellow
- Limb Tips are Black Leather Dye
- Finish is 10 coats of tru oil followed up by 2 coats of satin polyurethane
- And yes...this bow has zero handshock and is a smokin' fast bow!

Enjoy!   :)

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: 330bull on June 17, 2008, 01:53:49 am
More Pics.

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Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: radius on June 17, 2008, 01:55:04 am
that's a cool bow and a good story...that's continuity, mister!
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Gordon on June 17, 2008, 02:57:58 am
Your grandpa would be proud Joe. She is a beauty for sure! How cool is it to be stalking around the woods with a bow made from the same trees. I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your first deer with this one.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: ricktrojanowski on June 17, 2008, 06:01:37 am
Joe-the story behind the bow makes that bow even more great.  It looks awesome, from the bark backing to the tiller.  Really nice bow super job on it. 
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: GregB on June 17, 2008, 09:07:13 am
Great job on a trully special bow! Thank you for sharing the story, and best of luck hunting with it! ;)
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Susquehannock on June 17, 2008, 09:23:02 am
Awesome bow and fantastic story! I'm sure you're grandfather would be proud!
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Pat B on June 17, 2008, 10:11:36 am
Joe, Beautiful bow and great story. With that kind of medicine, you can't go wrong!!! 8)      I have a hazelnut stave that BryanB sent me and a box of cherry bark from you.  ??? ::) Guess where I'm going with this...grandpa?  I've been thinking about a bendy handle bow for this hunting season and now I have the motivation. 8)   Thanks for sharing!      Pat
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: OldBow on June 17, 2008, 10:15:54 am
Gorgeous Bow and Bookmarked for June Self Bow of the Month. Great Story!
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: cowboy on June 17, 2008, 10:48:40 am
Awesome bow and story Joe!! love those colors and tiller - best of luck this huntin season :).
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 17, 2008, 11:33:36 am
What a sweet bow! The story that goes with it made it sweeter. Congratulations! Jawge
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: adb on June 17, 2008, 11:40:48 am
Awesome bow, and a truly fantastic story. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: majsnuff on June 17, 2008, 12:01:46 pm
Ya gotta love that cherry bark back. Thanks for sharing a great story and views of a well crafted bow.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Pappy on June 17, 2008, 12:10:29 pm
Beautiful bow and great story,I love it when I have a bow with some special meaning
and that one should have a lot for you. :) Now make some meat on that property. ;) :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: wolfsire on June 17, 2008, 12:20:44 pm
Man, I know that feeling.  Someone brought in some sage to a class I was in many years ago, the smell of it brought tears to my eyes cuz it reminded me of my grandfathers "The Ranch."  Beautify bow.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: DanaM on June 17, 2008, 12:43:30 pm
Great looking bow Joe, very nice eh.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Ryano on June 17, 2008, 03:23:17 pm
You done good on that one Joe ! looks pretty cool.  :)
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: 330bull on June 17, 2008, 04:37:36 pm
Thanks to everyone for such kind words.  I cannot wait to show this to my Dad when he returns from the middle east; he'll freak out!
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: acker on June 17, 2008, 05:41:05 pm
nice one! good loking bow and a great work!
Gruss Acker
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Strongbow88 on June 17, 2008, 10:42:29 pm
yeah beautiful bow, and a good story.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: Keenan on July 01, 2008, 08:31:28 pm
 Joe Not sure how I missed this one but that is a real nice bow. Your Grandpa would be proud and you should be as well. Good job, Congratulations.   Keenan
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: BigWapiti on July 01, 2008, 09:09:03 pm
Joe, nice Nice NICE!  I loved it.  You now have me convinced on that Cherry bark backing.  I'll have to PM ya and learn more.

Very gorgeous bow you made there - and what a great background story to follow it along on your hunting adventures.

Great work and congrats on a great bow.

Mike
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: recurve shooter on July 01, 2008, 09:28:05 pm
wow. bigtime medicine there. thats the wonderful thing about makeing your own tools, the ability to do stuff like that. great story, beutifull bow. best of luck and be sure to tell us all about it when you kill with it.
Title: Re: Hazelnut Bendy Handle with Cherry Bark (aka The Property Bow)
Post by: mullet on July 01, 2008, 09:44:37 pm
 Wow!, great bow and story. Grandpa seem's to be every young boy's best friend, I truly miss mine. You boy's in the NW seem to have a lock on that Strunk hand wrap.