58" Osage sinew backed twisty recurve

[FVR]

It's done.

63lbs at 27".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-061S.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-059S.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-062S.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-064S.jpg


Onto the hickory stave in the bendy pic. Hmmm......what should I make with it? Elb, flatbow, recurve.....decisions decisions.

[vegasrandall]

nice piece of work! how does it shoot?

[Ken]

VERY nice work, Frank!

[panch0]

Great job!

[Rick]

The love of the "task" shows through in your work, Frank. You always pay attention to the details.

[panch0]

What is the hand grip material?

[crashdive123]

Very nice work Frank. Very nice indeed.

[FVR]

Thanks.

The grip is hemp. I use contact cement, then wrap the hemp tight around the handle. I then burn off the loose fibers and spray with clear spraypaint, two coats. I then use turtle wax and rub it into the nooks and crannies, throw it in the heat box and melt it in.

Then buff.

It shoots great. First shot at 20 yards was right next to the 12 ring on the 3D, yes, right where I was aiming.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Man that is AWESOME!! how long did it take?

[Jonesy]

That is really special!!!


It looks really nicely crafted. Congrats!

[tonester]

that is beautiful! a piece of art! this makes me wanna start making bows now!

[rebel]

That's a VERY nice bow. Good work. Your experience in making bows is evident.

[Riverrat]

Beautiful piece of work....you do great work.

[hoosierarcher]

Beautiful bow, too bad I draw an honest 29". I'd love to shoot it but I'd probably blow it up pulling it to full draw and that would be a crying shame.

[LudwigVan]

Beautiful work! Just wondering about how much materials and stuff cost to make your own?

Nice dog, BTW.

[FVR]

Pulling 29", it's sinew backed, no problem as long as I work it back to it slowly a few times.

Total cost of the bow is oh, about, zero dollars in supplies.

The stave I got in a trade about 5 or 6 years ago. (have not been building bows for awhile.)
The sinew I got in a trade about the same time. If you seal the sinew up and keep it cool and away from the bugs it will last forever.
The string I got in a trade for a bunch of bamboo arrow shoots.

I did pay $2.25 for the hemp at Home Depot. The rabbit hide glue was a gift but I did spend a few bucks on the Knox gellatin.

This is why I just enjoy making selfbows, it's cheap.

Now I did just buy 12 tapered birch shafts in 60/65 for this and the short bow. The fletchings I just cut from 2nd turkey feathers, yeh free. A gent split them for me many years ago (12 wings) for you guessed it, a mess of bamboo arrow shoots.

I did buy the nocks and the 125 grain field points, about 5 years back.

The next bow is going to be hickory from a tree a buddy cut down. I may have to start making my own strings. Or just trade for them.

Thanks again for all the positive feedback. I'm due to break one pretty soon.LOL. Hope it's not this next hickory.

The other little osage bow is on hold right now. Need to get a big bison horn as I am going to make a little 41" osage bow, backed with sinew and horn on the belly, bend back to a 27" draw.

[Alec_end]

WOW this is an amazing skill you have there. I think that during the next few school holidays i will try and make some. It got me thinking about the first person who made a bow must have been a true genius not like bill gates or people like that but a true genius.

[Erratus Animus]

Very beautiful. I do know how much labor goes into making a bow like that and it shows you enjoy it. Osage is not as easy as it is made out to be. Again beautiful.

[hunter63]

Very nice, That is fantastic!......Hummm........27" about right for me, 63 lbs, little stout......LOL