Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: DirtyDan on August 17, 2008, 07:44:31 pm

Title: A hickory self bow
Post by: DirtyDan on August 17, 2008, 07:44:31 pm

Well, here is a hickory self bow that I just completed.  My good friend Jeff Kitchens brought me a nice small tree with a couple of staves in it, and this is the first bow that I made from it.  It was nice and clear with no knots.  It had a slight bend in one of the limbs, but it shoots great.  Unlike some of my other hickory bows, this one does not seem to stack too badly.  It is 66" long ntn, 1 5/8" wide at the widest point, and it tapers straight to 3/8" tips.  It pulls 56# at 28" and shoots very fast and smooth.  I am pleased with it overall.  The finish is two-tone, as you see.  I use two different watered-down acrylic paint solutions to apply in several coats to build up the colors, then finish it with clear acrylic finish first, then several coats of poly and finally Renaissance wax and steel wool to take down the sheen a bit.(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/new%20hickory%20bow/newhickorybow010.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/new%20hickory%20bow/newhickorybow011.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/new%20hickory%20bow/newhickorybow007.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/new%20hickory%20bow/newhickorybow002.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/new%20hickory%20bow/newhickorybow001.jpg)

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Jesse on August 17, 2008, 07:55:08 pm

 :o I like it. Great job. With that finish I wouldn't know it was hickory. Nice handle area as well.     
        Jesse

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Dano on August 17, 2008, 07:57:08 pm

Great lookin bow.

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Kegan on August 17, 2008, 07:57:29 pm

I like it, bet it's a real nice shooter :).

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: burn em up chuck on August 17, 2008, 10:06:32 pm

nice color, have not tried putting color on a bow yet,becoming inspired thanks for showing us your bow.

                                                                                       chuck

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: FlintWalker on August 17, 2008, 10:16:09 pm

Dan, that's about as nice of hickory bow as I've ever seen.  Looks down right pretty.  Saw Filer

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 17, 2008, 10:47:07 pm

Congratulations on a very fine bow. Jawge

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Pat B on August 17, 2008, 11:37:28 pm

Nice bow, Dan. Hickory makes a fine bow and yours is a good example!     Pat

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Pappy on August 18, 2008, 05:49:44 am

Nice job Dan as usually .Love the finish work. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Minuteman on August 18, 2008, 08:22:00 am

Eeyup looks great, watered down acrylic huh, hmmmmm.

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Hillbilly on August 18, 2008, 08:45:15 am

Looks like a good hunting bow, nice work.

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: GregB on August 18, 2008, 08:50:36 am

Dan, I really like your finish job...great job on the grip too! ;)

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: DirtyDan on August 18, 2008, 09:09:24 am

Thanks, guys.  I really appreciate your kind words.  A couple of other things I diid not mention.  I puit some hardwood ( I don't know what kind it is, but the color matched the handle leather) overlays on the tips so I could use Fast Flight string, and I used a piece of antler for an arrow rest.  How do you like my tillering tree that Tim Flood made for me?

Dan

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Pappy on August 18, 2008, 09:15:08 am

I like it,is it pretty portable ?
   Pappy

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on August 18, 2008, 09:50:50 am

Nice bow. 

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: cowboy on August 18, 2008, 11:39:13 am

That looks good Dan! I like hic, nice color..

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Postman on August 18, 2008, 11:56:36 am

Nice - love that handle.....

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: DirtyDan on August 18, 2008, 02:33:08 pm

Pappy, the tillering tree is portable.  Tim made it with some real craftsmanship.  The top crosspiece slots down into the main vertical piece with a dovetail joint, which you can simply lift out when you disassemble it.  The vertical piece fits into the base with a taper.  You can knock it out with a good blow.  The base can be secured to the ground with some pieces of re-bar.  I will bring it next May to your place and you might want to take some measurements.

Dan

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: OldBow on August 19, 2008, 01:04:45 pm

Got your bow bookmarked for Aug Self BOM. Any chance of getting that left limb to bend a little more? >:D

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: cracker on August 19, 2008, 05:18:15 pm

Good looking bow Dan nice piece of work.
R.C.

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: DirtyDan on August 19, 2008, 08:54:56 pm

Yes, Old Bow, I probably could get it to bend more.  Good eye there.

Dan

Title: Re: A hickory self bow
Post by: Woodland Roamer on August 19, 2008, 09:48:40 pm

Nice bow Dan, the finish on it looks really nice.

Alan