The Showdown

[PatM]

Why would proving something can be done be considered a waste of time?
 The mere fact that we build wooden bows is  a way of proving it can be done, particularly our first working bow.

[Badger]

       If I only built bows as needed I would have had a lifetime supply after my first year. Beer is a waste of time, TV is a waste of time. So what if we build bows to entertain ourselves.

       I roughed out an osage stave today at 60" and 2 1/4 wide. I will see if I can hit 100# with t tomorrow.

[Bogaman]

I knew if I said things just right, I could bump some body off zero
Badger, you should have contacted me before working up that blank. I have a prime piece of osage close to those demintions  in my procrastination pile, been there for 10-12 years. Would have been glad to send it to you.
Reason it's still in that pile. I'm getting to old to make a 100+lb. bow   Besides, it is a waste of my time. I'd rather make something a person can get some use of.

[Badger]

  I wished I would have contacted you!

[Knapper]

Badger,
At 2.5" wide at 60" you'll get more than 100#. My last bow posted, ( Victory Bow) is only an inch wide at 55.5" long and pulls 45#@ 26". if you add 4.5 " in length and double the width to 2" you'll well be over 100# rest assured.
Knapper

[Badger]

  I may have screwed up allready, getting a pretty good bend in the fades at 90# pull.

[Del the cat]

Hey, you can always pike it 
Del

[Badger]

  I have it out to 100#@20" on the long string and getting ready to brace it after a couple of touch ups. Hasn't lost any reflex yet, I am starting with 1 3/4", I hope to finish straight. I am thinking I should put nock overlays before I brace it, kind of worried about the fast flight string cutting into the self nocks. She snapped the pics when I started letting up, only pulling around 70# here.

[Mike Joe]

I'm rootin' for you Badger. I'm eager to see what you finish with.

[Badger]

  I have only had it out to 100# one time, my brain makes my body stop pulling at around 85#, it is really hard to force myself to pull more than that on this short bow. I think my intuition is taking over and I tend to trust it more. It will take longer than usual to tiller because I am trying to keep the limbs dead flat and scrapers don't like wide  flat limbs.

[Marc St Louis]

Looking good Steve.

There's always a concern when making a heavy weight bow and it doesn't matter how long, or short, it is.  I get nervous when I'm making a relatively short bow with a long draw

[Dan K]

This is what I (and I'm sure others) have been waiting for. Thanks for sharing your work Badger!

[Newindian]

Be sure to post some pics when you take it elephant hunting

[toomanyknots]

Lookin good!

[Badger]

This pic is about 85#@19 1/2 on the long string, the right limb was a little strong. I evened that up and am at 100#@23" on a long string and ready to brace. Braced has a lot more tension and I would feel a lot better at bringing this bow in around 85#. I am going to put some nock overlays on and hopefully finish it up tomorrow. I will video the last few inches in case it breaks.