Hey all, long-time lurker here that finally decided to post what I've been working on. This is my first and only attempt at a bow so far.. I have neither the time or space needed (apartment dweller with a very patient wife), but I was instantly fascinated by making wooden bows and had to try.
I started with a mora 106 and a 1.5" sapling, and did the shaping and floor tiller with that. Progress stalled when the limbs got too thin to carve comfortably, and I finally ordered a Shinto rasp to tiller with. With the new rasp I was finally able to move from 6" to 12" @ 35.
Goal is 35 lb @ 28" which shouldn't be hard, but I'm working with 46" nock to nock which I understand is very short. The bow started with a curvy limb which I steamed out, and then put in minor reflex to the tips. The plan is to reflex tips further and deflex at the fade as I take it closer to 20" draw.
Link to photo album here, and a few questions:
1. Wood species? I didn't document anything till I was well along and realized I have no idea what the wood is. The wood is very hard and I can't scratch it at all with a fingernail. Best guess is Beech. First photo in the album is from a cut-off with the only bark left.
2. I did an unconventional nock with a carved profile, and I think it will be too heavy as is. It's currently 1/2" wide & 5/8" deep, how much can I reduce the width without worrying about it snapping off?
3. There's a wide pith through the center of the bow, about 1/4" diameter. I think it will be alright, being some sort of version of a hollow limb design...anyone else made a bow with a similar pith?
4. speaking of the pith, to finish the bow I want to saturate the pith with black ink to give it a cool contrast where the pith is exposed. Can anyone recommend a type of ink that would absorb well into the pith?
