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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 22, 2021 15:48:34 GMT -7
Well, just discovered the use of a simple hardwood board, which can be made into a very nice bow. From my research it seems many start with a nice board to learn the ropes before using a stave. I have always done things backwards and just now have given the "board bow" a go. Selected a nice piece of hickory, very dense with decent grain. Laid out a very simple paddle bow which can be traced way back to multiple tribes. I overkilled the design by making it longer at 70" with my anticipated draw weight of 45lbs @ 26.5". Being a board and not a stave I wanted to be on the safe side. Once tillered I can always shorten the ends if desired which should reduce handshock and speed things up a bit. Within a few hours I whipped up my first board bow, floor tillered and ready for final tiller, pending some back set... Just a neat project for anyone wanting to build a quick bow from a good wood. Being hickory no need for a backing which simplifies the process even more. Also worth sharing, my favorite bow wood hands down is osage. I've been eyeing a single piece for the last six months. Harvested, split and sealed the ends... Hard part now is awaiting them to season! One thing I love with making bows completely by hand is the overall process need not be time consuming as in shaping. What's important is time spent on the tillering tree!
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Post by paranger on Feb 22, 2021 17:15:00 GMT -7
Very cool, Hawkeyes. Do please let us know how that board bow shoots. My Father-in- Law was telling me it could be done from a plank, but haven't tried it yet.
BTW, I have an aged osage stave ready to work, but haven't mustered up the gumption (courage?) to try it yet. I am pretty comfortable working hickory staves, but I still find chasing an osage ring a bit intimidating. Perhaps in the spring...
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Post by brokennock on Feb 22, 2021 17:34:38 GMT -7
I've made several board bows, both hickory and ipe. Good way to spend time learning to tiller without as much time shaping the profile of the bow. Questionable boards can easily be backed with scrap linen or rawhide from a large dog chew. Narrowing those limb tips will also reduce handshock.
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 22, 2021 17:43:39 GMT -7
BTW, I have an aged osage stave ready to work, but haven't mustered up the gumption (courage?) to try it yet. I am pretty comfortable working hickory staves, but I still find chasing an osage ring a bit intimidating. Perhaps in the spring... Osage is easy - the early growth ring has a texture more like holey, stiff foam that has a "crispy" sound when you get into the layer. The density and color are also very different. You may find a small scraper works best in the dips and for removing residual soft ring material. I start by trimming the end of the stave with the chop-saw so I can pick a ring to follow and start working from that end. Osage is essentially "stupid-proof" - you'd need to really screw things up NOT to get a bow. Take your time and it will go well.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 22, 2021 18:36:27 GMT -7
BTW, I have an aged osage stave ready to work, but haven't mustered up the gumption (courage?) to try it yet. I am pretty comfortable working hickory staves, but I still find chasing an osage ring a bit intimidating. Perhaps in the spring... Osage is easy - the early growth ring has a texture more like holey, stiff foam that has a "crispy" sound when you get into the layer. The density and color are also very different. You may find a small scraper works best in the dips and for removing residual soft ring material. I start by trimming the end of the stave with the chop-saw so I can pick a ring to follow and start working from that end. Osage is essentially "stupid-proof" - you'd need to really screw things up NOT to get a bow. Take your time and it will go well. 100% agree. I've made four osage bows from staves. One for a buyer, one short plains bow I broke and two currently in my possession. Para, don't be nervous at all. Osage really is easy to work and IMO easier than you would think. It has a reputation of being unforgiving but I also believe that comes from individuals being unfamiliar with it. Yellow osage as in younger wood seems to be more forgiving in ring chasing than hard dark orange osage, which is older. Don't get me wrong... it'll test your patience in terms of tool durability and sharpness! It indeed is the boss of bow woods. With your stave you know what your getting. Unfortunately with the board you are somewhat in the dark. Good thing is being hickory it's somewhat of a fool proof wood and the design is very reliable.
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 22, 2021 18:37:03 GMT -7
It also helps if your draw-knife IS NOT razor sharp - keeps it from digging in and helps follow the early growth.
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The Bow
Feb 22, 2021 18:45:27 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by hawkeyes on Feb 22, 2021 18:45:27 GMT -7
It also helps if your draw-knife IS NOT razor sharp - keeps it from digging in and helps follow the early growth. Very good point, however mine is still razor sharp!
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The Bow
Feb 22, 2021 18:57:09 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by paranger on Feb 22, 2021 18:57:09 GMT -7
It also helps if your draw-knife IS NOT razor sharp - keeps it from digging in and helps follow the early growth. My Father-in-Law said the same thing. Good to know!
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