Hickory Longbow from Grandpa's Farm

[PAHunter]

The Stats: 66’’ Hickory, 45# @ 28, horn overlays, sheep wool arrow rest

The Story: I made my first bow ever from a patch of hickory on my grandpa’s farm on a dare from my uncle.  A year after that my grandpa and I cut down and split a hickory tree from the same patch, and it’s been drying in my workshop since.  This bow is made from that wood.  It’s very special to me because of my grandpa’s involvement, it coming from the same trees as my original bow, and it coming from the land where I hunt just yards from where I’ve shot several deer. 

[PAHunter]

few more...

[sieddy]

Great bow, great story and a fantastic assistant! 
What more could we ask for? Thanks for sharing. 

[burchett.donald]

  Rob,
          I like the character in that bow with the heart wood in the handle...Looks like very low set in a dry piece of Hickory...Nice work, looks like a hunter from here...
                                                                                                                                 Don

[blackhawk]

Nice job Rob   

[Sidewinder]

Nice job on that Rob and great story too. I think you will be making meat with that one this year for sure.

[crooketarrow]

  That elm strong enough to put a riser in your bows.

[PAHunter]

@sieddy: thanks much!
@Donald: yep set was not bad and that's after 1h braced.  it will be a small game hunter for sure.  I'm working on a 55#er from the sister stave now for deer.
@Chris: thanks bud.
@sidewinder: thanks man
@crooketarrow: do you mean the shelf?  It's safe for sure and it's hickory.  enough thickness it's non bending.  I've done a bunch like this.

[Hrothgar]

Good looking bow, great job working with the knots!

[wizardgoat]

That bow looks clean and quick. Nice one

[George Tsoukalas]

Excellent! Great tiller. Jawge

[Badger]

  Excellent job!

[owlbait]

Fine work. I'll bet Grandpa and your Uncle are proud. If you have time, could you post some close-ups of that shelf and grip? That's really interesting to me. Nice finish work too.

[straightarrow]

Got to see this bow today in person. Very nicely done. Great job, Rob

Jon

[PAHunter]

Thanks so much guys! 

The Handle

The handle is a special place for me.  I tweak it and constantly hold it until it's just right.  I do the main hand position at an angle on the back so my fingers are above my thumb on the other side and hand is in the 45 degree shooting position naturally.  This is one of my primary concerns.  As long as the wood is sufficiently thick not to bend I don't worry about the shelf being a bit large.  I use sheep skin with wool for the rest and cut it at an angle so that the arrow stays on better.  This also makes it quieter when nocking the arrow.  I've tried several style handles and this one feels the best and encourages good form for me.