Shortbow builders

[Lee Slikkers]

Zoltan, on those smaller diameter saplings and such...do you hand split (I assume so) or cut them with a saw?  I've not had much luck splitting the small diameter stuff...just seems to tear out short before getting a full/complete split.  Great looking pile of staves btw!

[fusizoli]

Just the uggly yew sawed half, all the other splited. I haven't got big machines just a little bandsaw for max 7cm.
The little dia saplings useally rough out with axe and not risk a split. If all side usefull and the wood is rare like good yew here than try to cut it half.
This shortbow thing gave me another dimension whan going out to harvest some bow wood. Anyway most of this wood is a fall down piece from a longer log. Now I'm very happy to keep tham away from fire
Shorter pieces use for tools and for hornbow parts.

[Lee Slikkers]

Thanks, I was wondering about the Yew (need to find a friend out west here in the US for me to try my hand at some as well...)  After seeing all these short bows and sapling bows from others I have been selectively keeping my eyes open in my travels and have a few recent ones cut and drying.  2 Russion Olive saplings and a White Birch sapling are some of my latest to hit the stave pile.  Thanks for sharing!

[johnston]

zoltan you make some truly nice bows. They would be special if at regular length.

Lane

[ken75]

heres two more first is white oak pyramid 56 inches 40 lbs at 28 , 2 inches at fades , second is hickory paddle bow 54 inches 42 lbs at 28.

[ken75]

more

[ken75]

now im gonna build some short ones.

[blackhawk]

Geeeeez Ken....your a madman......and I like it 


Your maintaining very nice profiles with your bows. Nice tillering skills. 

Now what ya gonna do with all these bows?   

[half eye]

Hey Ken, of course the bows are way nice, but what kina snake ya got on the second one? Got a real nice pattern to it, for sure. I'm building one now for that Cane-break ya sent up.
rich

[ken75]

Blackhawk , thanks , the paddle bow is traded and going to missouri. i give most away these make 93 ive built and i only have around 40 left

one thing i want to add for those of you that build paddle bows my hat goes off to you ,it was the hardest one i have tillered yet , never could figure out where to take off wood and thats usually second nature with my bows

thanks Rich , the snake is Texas rat snake i think , came from criveraville

[criveraville]

Ken,

Another pair of fine looking bows. That oak looks to hold up nicely.. You keep making those skins look purty 

[ken75]

thanks Cp , ive had some purty one to work with !

[thomas h]

that is a fine  looking bow you guys are  so talented.

[criveraville]

Thomas I know why you like that paddle bow soooo   

Here are a few pics of a Ken75 bow my son has taken possesion off.. 

He sure knows a greal bow when he sees one. and shots it too

[Lee Slikkers]

That is a sweet paddle bow!  what are the dimensions on that bugger?  Criveraville, you're boy has most excellent tastes and will be ruined for sure by the time he's our age