Author Topic: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn  (Read 4584 times)

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Offline Zion

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Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« on: February 10, 2013, 08:58:49 pm »
I seriously considered throwing this piece away. Just looking at it was a workout. When i first cut it i didn't know what hawthorn does when it dries and roughed it out, let it sit in a corner for the night and the next day it had 90 degree twist + large drying checks. I had also not taken into account that hawthorn is very prone to tear-outs, and so i had to rasp it down to much thinner than i woulda wanted because of these huge gouges. It sat in a corner for 6 months as i worked on other projects, and today i was ambitious and decided to take a look at it.

I tried taking some of the twist out with heat but that didn't work at all, so i just decided to work with it. Stringing it was pretty tricky, but from there tillering was pretty easy. At some places in the top limb especially, it looks like the tiller's off (i still need to refine it a bit) but it's mostly the twist.

I'm so surprised it hasn't broken yet, im just gonna post some pics. When it's fully done and hopefully not broken i'll update.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2013, 09:14:55 pm by Zion »
The secret of life is learning to make your own luck.

Offline Dictionary

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #1 on: February 10, 2013, 09:30:58 pm »
Look at that background....beautiful landscape! 

Oh yeah, nice bow  ::)

Very knotty and crooked. Reminds me of druids bows.
"I started developing an eye for those smooth curves as a young man.  Now that my hair is greying and my middle spreading I make bows instead."

-JW_Halverson

Offline rps3

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #2 on: February 10, 2013, 09:47:57 pm »
I hope it holds for you, that is a cool looking bow.

Offline Badly Bent

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #3 on: February 10, 2013, 09:48:55 pm »
I'm beginning to think your as twisted as the wood you work lol  :-\ :) :)
Seriously though, impressed with your work young man, keep em' coming.

Greg
I ain't broke but I'm badly bent.

Offline Badly Bent

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2013, 09:50:54 pm »
Oh, forgot to add...... thats a really nice bow Zion, I love it.

Greg
I ain't broke but I'm badly bent.

Offline Arrowind

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2013, 10:00:18 pm »
That's amazing.  I can't believe you made a bow out of that.  You got some serious skills man!
Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about, hmm... except the consistency of squirrel droppings?

Offline TRACY

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2013, 10:21:42 pm »
You say you haven't wrestled for long, but it looks like you been wrestling these hawthorn staves Zion >:D


Tracy
It is what it is - make the most of it!    PN500956

Offline Maxspin

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2013, 11:16:33 pm »
When I grow up I want to make bows as good as Zion. 8)

Offline Zion

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2013, 01:18:40 am »
Thanks alot guys!!

I think it just might hold, i've been burnishing the back pretty heavily and will continue to for extra insurance.

Lol thanks Greg! Idk maybe i am twisted   ???  ;D

Thanks Arrowind, i think with pieces like this it's both skill of the bowyer and serious toughness of the wood that determine the bow. Definitely wouldn't have been able to do this with serviceberry.

Yeah Tracy i really did have to wrestle this one a bit  ;D ;D

LOLLL Maxspin your post made me laugh   ;D
The secret of life is learning to make your own luck.

Offline vinemaplebows

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2013, 01:50:45 am »
What species of hawthorn? nice bow!
Debating is an intellectual exchange of differing views...with no winners.

Offline Markus

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2013, 07:02:30 am »
Very speciale good work. Markus. :)

Offline Pappy

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2013, 08:08:32 am »
Nice job on a challenging piece of wood.Can't wait to see it all dolled up,Should be beautiful. :)
   Pappy
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Offline lesken2011

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2013, 09:26:45 am »
You sure got that crooked piece of wood bending sweet!!
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Kenny from Mississippi, USA

Offline burn em up chuck

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2013, 01:29:47 pm »
    well done, I've seen some impressive bows come from you. keep them coming. I am curious to see how you finish it. personally i have a problem finishing my bows after i get them shooting. I'm ready to move on

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Offline randman

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Re: Bow From Terrible Hawthorn
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2013, 10:27:58 pm »
Very nice! And once again, near perfect tiller with a gnarly stave. Gotta love that Hawthorn. And just what exactly is it that you want to do when you grow up young man? Now that you got this professional grade bowyering down...............
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.