Primitive Archer

I usually peal the bark, I usually go over it with a scrapper lightly to get the gummy layer off under the bark ,seal the back and ends, split it into 1/4's or maybe even 1/8's if it is a large log as you describe, no narrower than about 4 inches then let it set a few months  and then ,with 4 inches you can get 2 bows from each stave after it dries, then split or saw it down to 2 inch staves, leaving it wide to start will keep it from warping. I also belly split the heart wood off, it will usually follow the heart wood grain right down the log if it is a clean log with no knots. I cook brats with the belly split heart wood. Most hickory will split good with just a wedge and sledge, if not I will Cerf it with a chain saw and then split, most time that is not necessary .
 Pappy

Whelp. You have 100% of my attention!

I decided to go shorter, I’d rather it explode or not make the draw length that I want that be a floppy and slow bow.

I also then re steamed the tip of the limb so I could have the space going round the recurve to keep the overall length shorter and to not loose working limb.

My steaming set up isn’t the prettiest but it’s working and this green cherry just bends so easily.
 

I’ve been procrastinating on this one for a while, might as well get on with it!

I’m pretty confident this is not going to be a good bow, or even a bow but I’ve got to get the experience some how.

After seeing styilian Stefanov’s Mongolian bow video years ago I’ve wanted to try it but I’m finding it pretty hard finding much info. Making normal bows there are loads of suggestions about dimensions but with sinew all I have found really is make the bow short.
So, likely outcomes are-
Too long to engage the sinew, rubbish bow
Too short for the wood to be able to handle it, too much set and/ or failure.

Other likely issues I can think of -
Limb alignment
Splice failure
Wood failure due to poor dimension choice
Chasing tiller and wood ending up too thin for the amount of sinew.

Other likely outcomes I can’t think of-

…


Siyahs and handle are beech, natural crooks. Limbs are cherry. I’ve never used Cherry before so this will add more fun to the experiment!

Cherry cut and sanded to a fairly consistent thickness, it’s pretty wobbly but quite clean.
I’ve cut out the handle and siyahs with plenty of  spare room so I can adjust angles.

Most of the big box grocery stores carry butternut squash later in the year, it doesn't look like many people are buying it, Publix always has it.

I think most folk cook what they can buy that comes out of cans, there is very little knowledge on how to cook anything outside of beans and potatoes. Often when I try to give stuff away out of my garden I get a "I don't know how to cook it" and get turned down.

It is sad that there are so few actual cooks out there now, most people eat junk and go out for most of their meals.