Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 12:54:17 am

Title: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 12:54:17 am
Hi Folks

 I posted this on another forum but I figure there may be people who have not seen it
This is a bow made from one of our Acacias called Brigalow. It is a dense hardwood with an SG of about .95
It has a reputation from 50 years ago of being a terrific bow wood and this bow seems to confirm that.
It was often made into narrow ELB style bows and looks like it could stand that without any difficulty
It has taken no apparent set and shoots a 500gr arrow at 185 fps which was beyond my expectations since
it was designed as a generic test bow rather than an idealized design.
The bow is 69" ntn and 55# at 28" and is well mannered to shoot .
And yes these are photos are as lousy as usual -- have no Idea how you guys take good photos of bows.

Graeme

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Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 12:56:50 am
A couple of more photos

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Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: sailordad on November 04, 2008, 01:13:06 am
pretty wood,really like the handle style might have to try it
is it a laminated bow? the back seems to be lighter colored thats why i ask
tiller looks pretty good too


                                                                           peace,
                                                                                  tim
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 01:21:58 am
Hi Tim
No it is a self bow -- only laminated by nature.
Below is a photo of a similar stave

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Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: rkeltner on November 04, 2008, 01:35:18 am
that is a gorgeous bow, from some gorgeous wood!! i have to admit a small bit of jelousy toward you aussies..... you've got some interesting and unusual woods available down there!! ;D :o
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 01:46:25 am
Hi rkeltner

Yes we have some wonderful woods but they are not necessarily close by. I drove 1600km to get these staves.

Graeme
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Keenan on November 04, 2008, 03:34:23 am
 Very nice bow Graeme. The wood looks very similar to some Laburnum that I got from Italy.  There is a bowyer named Alberto that is a good friend that has traded me a few pieces and it's an excellent and beautiful bow wood. I'm wondering if they are in the same family of wood.
  Excellent work on the tips and nice design work.  Congratulations
 
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: kiwijim on November 04, 2008, 03:50:30 am
very very nice.
I think a bit of that bows performance could be due to that 'spot on' tiller.
'Brigalow Bow' -a good name for next years melbourne cup winner
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 04:35:07 am
Hi Jim
The tiller is OK, nice stiff light tips and good even center limb bend which is hard on the wood but good for performance --but you do not get away with that stuff unless the wood is truly superior.
I reckon this is the best piece of wood that I have ever made into a bow -- I am just hoping that that the other staves are as good rather than this one being special.

Graeme
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: DanaM on November 04, 2008, 07:02:00 am
Man that sure is some pretty wood and a sweet bow :)
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: a finnish native on November 04, 2008, 08:00:45 am
one sweet bow, but it would take more than a few staves for me to drive 1600 km or 1000 miles. With gas prices as they are, that would be one expensive bow  :o
gorgeous wood I have to say. :P
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 08:11:43 am
Hi Keenan

Laburnam and Acacia  are only distantly relates -- both being members of the pea family if I remember correctly but I do not think they have much similarity in timber structure from what I have seen other than both being beautiful and good bow woods.

Graeme

And yes a 1000 miles seems like a long way but Australia is a vast place and I still had to go another couple of hundred miles to visit my son.
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GregB on November 04, 2008, 09:00:59 am
That's some very attractive wood! Great job on the bow!
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Ryano on November 04, 2008, 09:19:03 am
Beautiful!  ;D Looks like you may have violated the growth rings on the back near the grip?  Hard to tell from the picture...
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Woodland Roamer on November 04, 2008, 09:42:40 am
That is a beautiful bow and great tiller.

Alan
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 09:50:08 am
Hi Ryano

No the rings are not violated I just left a few extra layers on the handle to thicken it up a bit and show the grain pattern.
 On this timber people do not normally try and chase a ring because they are only the thickness of a sheet of paper  but I have because I wanted to make it bend a lot at mid limb and I figured it would make it safer.

Graeme
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: adb on November 04, 2008, 09:56:48 am
WOW!!! Very nice bow. The handle work is outstanding. Very cool wood! What a contrast between sap/heartwood. Very nice all around.
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Badger on November 04, 2008, 10:10:48 am
  One of the best self bows I have seen, outstanding job. Steve
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on November 04, 2008, 10:25:01 am
Very nice bow. Congratulations! Jawge
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: OldBow on November 04, 2008, 03:10:42 pm
Ditto everybody else's praise. Got your fine bow bookmarked for Nov Self Bow of the Month, if you don't mind.
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on November 04, 2008, 04:29:05 pm

WOW that bow is nice!
the wood looks really good, too!!!
frank
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: David Long on November 04, 2008, 04:35:23 pm
Your elegant design and workmanship dun that lovely wood proud. Beautiful, truly. Good on ya mate! Dave
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: brownhillboy on November 04, 2008, 05:16:00 pm
Super nice bow!  Beautiful wood too.  Great job!
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Hillbilly on November 04, 2008, 05:31:19 pm
Beautiful bow, nice clean lines, nice bend. That's some great looking wood, too. Great job, fine looking weapon.
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: GraemeK on November 04, 2008, 06:09:18 pm
Thanks Everyone --- glad you like it --- Graeme
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: koan on November 04, 2008, 06:13:29 pm
Luv it!!.....Brian
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: armymedic.2 on November 05, 2008, 06:40:22 am
gorgeous
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: Ryano on November 05, 2008, 08:26:51 am
Ok, I see that now.  ;D Again nice job.
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: El Destructo on November 05, 2008, 08:31:12 am
I am still waiting for my Mate Grahame from Walcha, New South Wales to send me a Piece of it....I made His Kids some Bows a couple years ao....and He was supposed to send me some wood...............maybe it got lost................. ::)
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: PeteC on November 05, 2008, 12:29:52 pm
Great lookin' bow,tiller looks sharp,and very striking wood,that brigalow.I like it. God Bless
Title: Re: New Brigalow Bow
Post by: HoleinthebowChuck on November 05, 2008, 01:19:52 pm
Very nice looking bow. I especially like the handle design.
The two tone affect is awesome.
Chuck