Ok, so a few weeks ago I received three blanks from Gary Davis (the man's a pure gentleman and a pleasure to talk with, even if only on the phone).
I got one blank for myself and two blanks for my daughter (10 in January) - one for her now and a bigger one for when she's able. I got skins from Gary too and will back my bow and the bigger of the other two as my daughter has previously said she likes the snakeskin look on the bows she's seen.
Well I finally got off my arse on Saturday and, though I don't have a workshop or bench to speak of, I sat by the side door (inside cos the rain was hammering down) and I sanded off all the varnish Gary put on before steaming it. The blank is 62 5/16" long and a spliced construct. "Michigan sister" is written on the handle.
Gary told me of this blank when I spoke to him weeks ago, saying he'd never seen osage this colour before. After taking off the varnish, I was/still am stunned at the grain and flecks and streaks of the billets!
I'll take some pic's when I get home and post them up.
I've not finished the tiller yet and she still pulls too strong but I still managed to finish off the belly the way Gary explains in his dvd and man... is it smooth!!!
Will probably need to scrape the belly down a bit more but it's all practice, right? I'll enjoy very much bringing that finish up again!
Things haven't gone as I'd have liked in recent months (like 6 or so) and I've put a lot of things "on hold" while I focus on what needs sorting out but I felt so good to be doing something so simple and "for myself", if you get what I mean? I know you will.
This is my third attempt at a bow and, though the other two are still "works in progress", (BBI pre-glued blank and an osage stave from Timo), I have a gut feeling this one will be the first one I finish!
I'm heading up to a friend's tonight to make a string for it (my first string).
Pic's to come...
