Osage Bow

[Marc St Louis]

I had a yen to make myself a bow a couple weeks ago, had not made one for myself for nearly a year so it was about time. I had this piece of Osage that had been sitting around in my shop for several years. This wood had come from Glenn in a trade and had some character to it. This particular Osage is the most resistant to heat bending that I have ever worked but there were some things with it that did not sit well with me so out came the heat gun. With much twisting and bending I got the bow layed out fairly well, naturally I had to temper the wood at the same time but I didn't reflex it. The string nearly sits down the center of the handle and the limbs still  have some character but not too much for my tastes. It turned out at 64" long by just over 1 1/4" wide pulling 58# @ 28'. A nice little bow. Here's a few pics

[heavybow]

Very nice bow marc. marlon

[Marc St Louis]

Thank you Marlon. It should make a good hunting bow

[DCM]

Beautiful Marc.  What are those marks, looks like scratches, just up from the fade on the upper limb?  Did that osage have a lot of crown, like from a younger tree?  Funny how some wood wants to bend with heat and other not.  I've seen the same thing.

[George Tsoukalas]

Marrc, the bow looks great. I like it. Jawge

[MattE]

I like it! Marc, you always turn out neat work.

[Justin Snyder]

Its kind of fun to make one for yourself isn't it.  Great looking bow Marc.  Justin

[DanaM]

Looks sharp Marc, appears to have some character in the handle area.

[medicinewheel]

...... sure is a nice little bow!

frank

[Hillbilly]

Good looking weapon, Marc. I've missed seeing your bows lately.

[1/2primitive]

Very nice bow. Waitin' to see full draw.
      Sean

[Marc St Louis]

Well David. I think those "scratches" are my scribbling signature . No crown to it. Looks like it came from an older tree. The rings are very thin.

Yes Dana it does also have some character at the handle. I had to orient the grip so the string wouldn't slap me on the wrist.

Just haven't had time to make myself anything lately Steve. It was nice to make this one

[DCM]

;-)

Oh, chicken scratchen I reckon.

[Pappy]

Very nice Marc,I like the charcter and also like thin ring Osage,it is a little harder to work with but I think it turns out a better bow and seem to hold what you do to it better.Just my opinion.
   Pappy

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

Classic braced profile, they always look good