Hello to everybody.
I’ve been lurking around PA since last summer soaking in all that I can and posting an occasional question. I’ve enjoyed archery since I was a boy, but built my first bow (below, left: 46” maple, pyramid board bow pulling 8# at 19” with one heck of a hinge in the upper limb) early last summer at the request of my oldest daughter (age 5 then).
She wanted a bow like the characters in the Chronicles of Narnia books we were reading. Then I had to build one for me (above, left), and one for a friend’s grandkids (below, bottom), and another for my daughter (above, right), etc. and now I can blame my fascination with bow-building on my little girl! We have fun shooting in the backyard or garage before bed and now my wife is suggesting I build a couple for our 3 year old twins (I’m thinking 1 arrow each with soft, blunted points).
Below are photos of my 6th bow. Hickory board bow, 22lbs @ 22", 50-1/4" ttt, 48-1/2 " ntn, 1-5/8" wide to mid-limb taper to 11/16” at tip. I roughly scaled down from the 66” hickory bow described on pg. 69 of TBB-V1. It’s backed with white silk for safety because I built it for my co-worker’s 8 year-old daughter (Hunger Games fan). The tips have a think laminate of wenge and I died and finished a piece veg-tanned leather for the grip. I covered the ends of the backing with purple silk tread, but am second guessing because it makes stringing awkward.
I echo many comments about the quality and civility of you folks on this site. As somebody learning, I have been very grateful to get good advice without having to sort through virtual cat-fights; even the grudge matches seem to be in good humor. I’m glad to be able to go to a place where people want to build bows and can generally check ego at the door. I hope you like this bow and I’m looking forward to building more.
