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Author Topic: Primitive Chokecherry Bow  (Read 3821 times)

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Offline Zion

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Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« on: November 05, 2012, 04:14:50 pm »
So, a few months ago i was looking for serviceberry. I found this tree that i thought was serviceberry but looked a little funky. it did have a very strong smell, though, and i took a small branch to test the strength of it. Liking what i saw, i cut it down and into 2 staves.

The first stave failed because i had no idea what i was doing, and was promptly burnt. The second stave was the top of the sapling, so i threw it in my barn and didn't touch it till recently.

This bow isn't much more of an experiment, since i have some really nice pieces seasoning. It seems to be a very strong wood, though much softer than say hawthorn or serviceberry. I'm gonna use more of this in the future!

I haven't taken a single measurement, but i estimate it's 53" ntn, and probably 55# @ 25". There is no finish and i barely sanded it, plus it is side-warped, but hey it would work in a pinch  ;D
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Offline killir duck

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2012, 04:23:48 pm »
yep that looks like chokecherry alright, good work!!
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PRIMITIVE ARCHERY what other way can you play with sticks and rocks all day and not look like a little kid

Every time i shoot at a bunny i recall the wise words of Elmer Fudd "I've got you now you waskally wabbit!"

Offline tattoo dave

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2012, 09:57:57 pm »
That's cool Zion. I love that super primitive stuff. I bet it would work just fine to put some meat in the freezer.

Tattoo Dave
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Rockford, MI

Offline sharpend60

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2012, 10:07:01 pm »
Thats a cool bow for sure.
I hope it holds up for ya.

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Offline bow101

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2012, 10:34:00 pm »
Another great bow Zion, you definitley have the knack for working wood. I like the way you shaped the bow in it's natural rough form, truly inspiring..! :)
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"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."  Joseph Campbell

Offline dmenzies1950

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2012, 11:26:41 pm »
I think you could probably slay something with that! Some of us do use bows as light as 55# you know! Anyway nice work Zion!      Dale
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"His bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel." Genesis 49:24

Offline Pat B

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2012, 12:01:15 am »
Very cool bow, Zion. Well done!!!  8)
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Offline Zion

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2012, 12:49:59 am »
Thanks guys. 
Bow101, i also have a honed skill of breaking wood. I just broke a piece of hawthorn today because a splinter lifted off the side and ripped half the limb off.  ::)
Haha Dale, i guess i'm just not used to it.


I dug in to another stave i had of this stuff and found that it was quite dry to my surprise, i harvested it only about a month ago! Also there was no checking or anything, so it also leads me to believe that it dries well. I still have much to learn about this wood, though.
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Offline randman

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2012, 01:21:51 am »
Boy, yer just crankin em out! You need to get a girlfriend so us old guys can catch up. That's a beaut!  Love the simple rusticity of it (I don't put finish many of mine either - unless it's going to somebody)  Wish I'da spent more of my time when I was your age makin bows instead of some of the non productive pursuits I wasted my time on (like girls and stuff). I guess you could do both at the same time...probably eat into the homework time though...........
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Offline Zion

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Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2012, 01:37:11 am »
Lol randman!!
I was actually home with a horrible sickness of some kind so that's why i had some time. But also a lot can be done in just an hour of work after school, which is nice!

As for girls, there's plenty of time for them during class  ;) ;)

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The secret of life is learning to make your own luck.
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