Shorty Osage Flat Bow (lots of pics)

[ricktrojanowski]

I just finished up this Osage flatbow.  It is 52" nock to nock.  It came in at 50# @ 26".  It is 1 1/4"wide through the handle tapering to 5/8" over the last 9" of the limbs.  Unbraced it has a slight amount of reflex left.  I heat bent 1 1/2" of reflex into it.   I killed some of the bright yellow with some rotten black walnut husk juice.  The paint work is done with primitive pigments in an acrylic base.  I used a paraffin wax finish to keep it dull and looking more abo.  The grip done with Dogbane cordage (I think processsing enough for the grip took me longer than roughing and tillering the bow. ).  I made a sinew string for it with backstrap sinew (Thanks for the sinew DanaM and the how to Jackcrafty).  The bottom limb is really smooth the top limb has a bit more character.   It shoots with less hand shock than I imagined it would, and spits out an arrow pretty fast. 

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[ricktrojanowski]

More pics

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[Timo]

Now I am impressed! very sweet lil bow,with great tiller.Well done and I admire you for all your hard work.

[Blacktail]

wow,that is a great shooter...i love the paint job..and the cordage handle...whats the bow string made of..great job...i hope its going deer hunting this year.john

[Pennhawk]

Good looking bow. Did you get a lott of time making the string? Nice work.

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

most excellent

[Bullitt]

 Rick, fine job! The sinew string is alot of time ,I know. you did great .It makes you appreciate the skill and effort to survive!

[koan]

SWEEEEET!!..Waste not want not, and there definately aint no waste on this one!....Brian

[Pat B]

That bow is definitely 9/10 broken. You got every bit of goody out of that piece of wood and did it expertly. The only thing that could improve the design would have been single side nocks but I ain't complaining.
  If you are coming to the classic, bring it!

[knightd]

Sweet I like the way it came out.. Two thumbs up..

[The Burnt Hill Archer]

now thats what i call a bow. very well done. i think ill wait another month to post my new hickory bow...

Phil

[AKAPK]

Very good D, I am getting ready to start a 50 inch D Thanks for the inspiration.Phillip oh and the Color and design is A+

[Bowbound]

Nice, a proper primitive bow. I'd be scared when my bows start bending that far.

[Pappy]

Beautiful bow,tiller looks nice ,very well done.
  Pappy

[ricktrojanowski]

Thanks for the compliments guys.
Blacktail -  the string is sinew from whitetail backstrap sinew.

Pennhawk- the string took a fair bit of time, longer than a B 50 but not as long as messing with plant fiber cordage.  The first one I made failed (lousy splice).  This one I made sure I overlapped the splices deeper and it worked out.  They are a lot of fun to make,  and look really good as well.

Pat-  I'll be bringing it to TN (hopefully in one piece ).  I was thinking about side nocks but chickend out.  Too many new things to me on this one already.

Limey-Josh- Believe me when I had it to 26" on the tree I was getting ready to run