Native American bow build challenge and showcase

[PaulN/KS]

There are so much talent and skillful Craftsmanship being shown here. You guys are all amazing.

[Stick Bender]

That's a beautiful combo Rich Awsome !

[half eye]

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments fellas. This complete rig is basically Native American and based on actual artifacts....I was trying to seriously represent the intrinsic beauty of these items so I am very glad you like them.

Especially thanks to you Native members for your comments, your approval means a lot.
rich

[half eye]

Well I thought I would post my second set. The bow is a 47" ironwood, of the Chippewa double curve type. It is scalloped on one side and painted to match a "colorized" picture from about 1850 or so. The bow has one layer of deer back sinew and draws 45@ 25"....it's a snappy shooter. The first pic is that colorized plate.

The bow case is a Grey Fox and the quiver is a Red fox. When I made the "ends" of both cases I left the red fox head in the natural position but placed the Grey fox head "folded over (facing backwards) which put them "nose to nose" which I thought made for an interesting touch. The strap is some scrap hair-on leather which I dont remember what it is exactly.....so I shaved the hair and painted the flesh side and placed the paint "outward". The pendant is a "badge" of raw-hide" and painted then hung as a pendant.....The only thing I'm still debating about is weather to die the fringe for some extra color. These fox pelts were soft tanned by Mr. Gutshot.

Again I made a matching skinning/ scalping knife ( I have not quite finished the sheath for it yet). That is being made from raw-hide, which is drying right now.

Any thing you would like extra or close-up pics of of any of these "sets", please let me know. One thing I forgot to say regarding my first "set" post is that the quivers have a "plug" cut from a basswood limb and shaped to fill the quiver right at the base of the skull.....these are glued in with hide glue and sealed with wax.

Enjoy the pictures and hopefully not too many.
rich

[half eye]

More

[half eye]

some more

[---GUTSHOT--->]

Once again Rich you have outdone your self on another great Native American set. I like the way the foxes are nose to nose. And is the knife handle a leg bone?

[burchett.donald]

 Rich,
             I'm lost for words...Haven't got over the first Scalloped with Otter yet ...Really enjoyed looking at the pictures, thank you...This is stunning...Really nice work, really nice...
                                                                                                                              Don

[penderbender]

Wow another beauty set. Just amazing. Really likein' the fox's! Cheers- Brendan

[loefflerchuck]

Just finished this Hupa replica. 40" long sinew backed yew. 58# @ 20". Painted with red ocher picked up in California and yew ash for black. I strained both these paints through cloth to make smooth paint with no chunks. The old bow this was copied from had much brighter paint, but may have been paint from trade as it was made at the end of the 1800s. I have no doubt the Hupa had better natural paint than me, but wanted to keep it natural to the best of my ability. Brain tanned deer handle. Deer rawhide wrapped tips and a 2 ply sinew string. Hazel arrow and bobcat quiver to complete the set

[loefflerchuck]

set

[PaulN/KS]

Wow...

[half eye]

Very nice Chuck, While the bow is every bit of your usual perfection.....I especially like the cat, exquisite sir.
rich

[FilipT]

Are those all sinew backed bows?

[Redhand]

Man Rich you sure are cranking them out. Another beautiful set. Excellent work keep them coming.

Chuck I really admire the painting on that bow. Matter of fact I admire all your work. You have a talent for these bows. Great job!