Hazelnut bow build-a-long (fixed pictures)

[Gordon]

The rest is glued to the handle using gel superglue and clamped.



Using a small file I shape the rest and feather it nicely into the handle. I then stain the rest a dark color.

[Gordon]

I seal the works by spraying it with 4-5 coats of urethane.



Next up – rubbing out the finish.

[The Burnt Hill Archer]

glad to have youposting on this again...its been a looooooong wait! you just keep amazing me with all your little tricks youve either learned or figured out. keep it comming!

Phil

[Jbell]

Gordon you are the greatest! A golf tee for a rest, what a great idea! Thanks for this buildalong it has been great. Can't wait till she is all finished up. Actually I will be a little bit sad to see this BA done. I would love to see a BA on one of those gnarly VM staves you are so good at.

[Gordon]

I don’t care for a shiny bow so I will rub out the finish to create a satin look. The materials I will use are 600-grit wet/dry sandpaper, course/medium/fine synthetic steel wool, and medium and fine pumice.



First I lightly sand the finish using water and 600-grit paper. This removes any imbedded dust and surface imperfections. Be very careful as it is easy to sand through the finish particularly when working the edges.

[Gordon]

Next I rub the finish down with course synthetic wool, followed by medium wool and then fine wool.

[Gordon]

By now the finish is very smooth but rather flat looking. I will polish the finish with pumice stone to restore its luster. I start by mixing the medium/course pumice with vegetable oil to create a slurry that is about the consistency of maple syrup.



I dip a clean rag in the oil and pumice mix and wipe the finish down with it. It takes surprisingly little rubbing to polish the surface.



When I am done with the medium/course pumice I wipe the limbs down with a clean rag. I then follow-up with the fine pumice stone to bring out the grain and give the bow a deep satin luster.



Next up – wrapping the handle.

[juniper junkie]

very nice. I like the pumice idea.

[Gordon]

Justin and Phil,

Thank you so much for the compliments. I must say it has been all my pleasure creating this build-a-long. As I said early in the thread, the primitive archer community has given me much - it is a delight to be able to give something back. I think I will be a bit sad also when this BA is completed but I look forward to seeing some of the other recent BA's develop and learning from them. I do think that a gnarly vine maple bow build-a-long is in my future.

Thank you again.

Gordon

[Gordon]

Thank you Dave. The pumice is key - it litterally makes the finish glow.

[Keenan]

 Gordon you are a true Master craftsman.  Your carefull work and attention to detail is far beyond what most people do. I know that my respect for you and the time and dedication that you poor into each bow has grown even more through this BA that you have done.
   I am very thankfull for what you have given back to PA through this buildalong. I have learned alot and know that I will strive even harder to make better bows because of it. I look forward to the day of coming over there and learning even more from your skills, in person  Thank you.       Keenan

[NOMADIC PIRATE]

Man, you put a lot of work in your bows

...very enjoyable Thread !

[Gordon]

Here is picture of the tools and materials that I will use to wrap the handle.



I am going to fashion the handle from a piece of tanned elk hide. Using a rotary cutter I cut out a piece that is about 4 ½” square.



I then wrap the piece around the handle and fit it at the top, middle and bottom of the handle.



Using a pencil I connect the marks which give me a line to cut along.

[Gordon]

Next I use a thonging chisel to create the holes for the lacing. I'll trim the length of the leather to about 4 1/4" and make sure that I have an even number of holes on each side.





I use black dye to dye the leather including the edges.

[Gordon]

I will glue the leather down in area around the arrow rest to hold it in place. For this I use barge cement on both the leather and the handle.





Let the cement dry for about 15 minutes and then carefully position the leather on the handle and work it around the arrow rest.





For the lacing I will use kangaroo leather as it is extremely tough and wear resistant. I cut off a length and attach leather needles on each end.