Snakey Redbud "Ruagair"

[Mark Anderson]

Here's one that almost wasn't. Redbud 54# @ 30". It's all sapwood. Rawhide backed. Horn tip overlays. Stained with light and dark brow rit dye cut with alcohol.
This wasn't going to be backed with anything but as I was heat treating the belly, a bunch of radial checks started, and I mean a bunch, like 100 or so. they went deep too. so after I saw that (might not have been dry enough when I heated it) I thought it was shot so I stick it up on the tree to see how much she could stand, unbacked with checks like that. I WAY over drew it to 35" not a sound. and after about an hour NO set! I set it aside and came back about a week later and tried it again, pulled it back to 35" and tried to break it, still nothing! So what the heck, filled the checks with superglue and backed with rawhide. finished tillering and it's a real shooter. It's a bit heavy for it's draw weight but I think it's because there is an entire ring on the back that isn't doing much. .
All in all I am REALLy impressed with redbud. Been looking for another suitable peice of it to cut.
Enjoy
Mark

[Mark Anderson]

Oh the name "Ruagair" is Gaelic for "hunter". Both my wife and I are completely of Scottish descent.
Mark

[Kegan]

Great looking bow, very pretty. Why did you temper the back though?

[Keenan]

Great save and very nice bow.  Love the full draw pic. Copngratulations

[Mark Anderson]

Thanks Kennan and Kegan. (say that three times fast!).
Kegan I meant "belly". Typing without thinking is a problem of mine.
I corrected it.
Mark

[beetlebailey1977]

I like it....never thought of redbud being that tough.  Gonna have to try it.

[youngbowyer33]

cool story, that looks sweet!

[Catahoula]

Hi,

This redbud can't be the same redbud out in my garden (here in SC) which has pinkish flowers in the Spring and long beans in the autumn?  

Rand
(I think I even have some cut up for branch flutes)

[SA]

i like it..... have some redbud ive been waitin to try out , was wandering how it would do.

[Mark Anderson]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Hi,

This redbud can't be the same redbud out in my garden (here in SC) which has pinkish flowers in the Spring and long beans in the autumn?  

Rand
(I think I even have some cut up for branch flutes)

Yes I believe it is the same. It is supposedly related to BL so I thought I'd give it a try. I am impressed. this one is all sapwood and from the little heart wood I've messed with (not enough for a bow) I think this may be one of those species that is overlooked. It is tough stuff. I don't have any fears of overdrawing this one and having any real problems. And set is almost non existent.

i like it..... have some redbud ive been waitin to try out , was wandering how it would do.

sa give it a go. I think you will be impressed.
Mark

[George Tsoukalas]

Very nicely done! I like it. Jawge

[Lombard]

Commadore, really nice bow, congratulations.

[Pappy]

Nice bow,well done.I have always heard in was in the BL family and need to give it a try,it almost always has some good character.    
   Pappy

[Catahoula]

OK,

Do you start with a branch of a certain size or a split stave of a certain length?  Also...know where I can learn more about heat treating?  I have an ironwood stave I would like to shape a bit.

Rand

[hammertime]

man thats a sharp bow ,love the character,dye job and grip detail-Hammertime