Guava longbow

[Gordon]

Some time ago I traded Manny some vine maple for a guava stave. I finally got around to doing something with it and here is what I ended up with. The bow is 66” long ntn and 55# @ 27” (sorry Manny I just can’t handle those 70+ lbs beasts that you crank out). The limbs are 1 ¼” wide at the fades tapering to 3/8” at the tips. The tip overlays are some sort of tropical hardwood that I cut from a scrap of flooring. The handle is made from dyed elk hide and I dyed the guava tan to help bring out the wood’s beautiful grain. The stave had some worm damage that threatened to compromise the back so I wrapped the affected area with serving and sealed it with superglue. The finish is Tru-Oil. I heat-treated the belly after the initial brace and tried to flip the tips up, but it didn’t really take.  Not that it made any difference because I don’t think the bow took any set at all.

I must say I really am impressed with guava as a bow wood. I would rate it right up there with osage except it does not respond to heat bending quite as nicely. The wood is very dense and scraps nicely. It does, however, tend to clog the teeth of a Nicolson 49 quickly. I found the best way to hog off wood is with a farrier’s rasp. One more thing, be careful not to get a splinter with this wood, they are murder!

Overall, as a bow wood I would rate guava just behind osage but in front of vine maple.  Manny, thank you for the opportunity – your wood rocks!

 

[Rich Saffold]

Gordon, It's a great looking bow as usual, and you got to keep some of the beautiful heartwood as well on the belly.  The Tru-Oil is a good choice  from what I see as well.
I too have a similar Guava bow which is a favorite as well, and I think this wood really shines in very dry, and hot weather as well.

Rich-

[Pennhawk]

Verry beautiful bow,Was it tough to tiller with that dip below the handle?

[Blacktail]

wow,that is great work gordon...so,was that wood a differant adventure for you...i see you are still going at it with the paper thin nocks...congrats on bow.john

[Gordon]

Thank you Rich. I was so pleased that some of the heartwood remained after tillering. I just love the look of it.

Pennhawk, thank you for the compliment. Yes, the reflex on one end of the handle did present some challenge. But I think I handled it okay.

Thank you John. I am enjoying working with all these different woods. They each have their own special character and challenges and guava is certainly no exception. I'd say guava is very much like a fine lady - not exactly prim and proper, a little on the wild side, kinda high maintanence, and an absolute pleasure to look at and handle 

[Timo]

Dang Gordon, That is a thing of beauty, absolutely outstanding workmanship. Love all your bows but that one really sticks me in the craw.

Funny how we seem to post our bows about the same time?

[Keenan]

 WOW      Gordon you are the master my friend. There just doesn't seem to be any type bow or wood that you don't turn into a masterpiece. I knew that you had some beauty in the works and I should have known it was that guava stave. Love the stain coloring,the tips the profile and everything sure make that a nice package. How do you like shooting the Manny style grip? I'm hoping maybe this will be the year that I get to work my guava that I got from Manny. It such nice wood and so strong I haven't wanted to work it until I am back to shooting weight.
Congratulations on another incredible bow. Ps. Like the shirt. Keenan

 Now we are going to have to make a new rule for the rendezvous,,,,,,,no guava bows allowed

[Gordon]

Tim, thank you for the nice words. I guess that great minds just think alike!

Keenan my friend, thank you so much for your compliments. Whenever I see your beautiful bows they just makes me want to improve my skills. You have a way with wood that I admire greatly. Regading the Rendezvous - we agreed that you would limit your entries to wood from the east side and I to wood from the west side. But I we never said how far west 

[Pat B]

Another beauty, Gordon. I have made one guava bow and still have a very snaky, worm hole ridden guava that still scares the pi$$ out of me. One day I will get the courage to tackle it. I enjoyed working with guava and apparently so did you.

[The Burnt Hill Archer]

Great job on that Gordon. i especially like the heartwood in the belly. like i said before, doesnt seem to me like youve ever posted a bow that hasnt made my jaw drop. excellent work my friend!

Phil

[AKAPK]

Gordon that it Premo, top notch,excelent, great . Phillip

[Knocker]

Beautiful wood, beautiful bow.  Nice job Gordon!

Keith

[Gordon]

Thank you Pat. The worm holes are somewhat disconcerting. For the most part, however,  I don't think they are a problem unless they are running close and parallel to the back. Just go for it!

Thank you Phil, I much appreciate the compliment.

Thank you for the nice words Philip.

Thank you Keith.

[RT]

Beautiful bow Gordon, Cheers! RT

[Pappy]

Beautiful bow Gordon,nice work.
   Pappy