I use the term '
self bow' rather loosely as this really was a combination of alot of great people coming together and teaching this thick skull what they could. Not one part of this project was done without the knowledge picked off from others either through videos, reading posts or hands on help and instruction. Two people really stick out in this project, and I'd like to give them a big thank you.
The first is Matt Wirwicki. I met Matt at this years Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous over the Memorial Day weekend. Matt sold me a roughed out osage stave and helped me get it floor tillerd and ready for the tillering stick. Matt was beyond patient and is a great instructor. When you are as good at a craft as Matt is it would be easy to become frustrated with the most novice of persons as I am. He stood by patiently instructing me step by step as a took off some shavings and rasped away at stiff spots throughout the floor tiller process. Thank you Matt!
The second is Chris, aka PEARL DRUMS on the message boards. As you have seen on here Chris whittles up some gorgeous and seriously deadly bows of many different styles. I also first met Chris at the Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous. I had the opportunity to shoot the course with Chris and his friend in Marshall using one of Chris's Bend through the handle osage self bows. This bow spit an arrow with authority. If you've seen his other work in action you know it was no fluke. I was able to watch Chris work on bows a little bit in Marshall and quite a bit in Grayling at the Michigan Traditional Bowhunters Shoot. I learned alot by watching Chris help others and watching him Tiller bows on site at the shoots. I asked Chris many questions about tillering and bow styles and he was more than willing to help me with my questions. I first shot this bow in its unfinished state at the MTB shoot with the help of Chris in setting it up. Thank you Chris!
I'd also like to throw a thank you out to Gary Davis. I watched his Rattlestick Self Bow DVD numerous times during this project and it was a great help as a reference when I got stuck at times. Also, his video instruction on applying snake skins and trimming them up added alot of mojo to this bow. Thanks Gary!
I can only guess on draw weight of this bow at mid 40#'s at my draw length of 27 1/2". The handle is leather tied on with artificial sinew. The snake skins are western diamondback & the tip overlays are ebony.
The bow: Upper tip: Lower tip: Money shot: -Dan