unbacked erc character bow w/ whitetail horn nocks "Gerty"

[Josh B]

Well....Gerty is as done as she's gonna get for now.  I just have too much going on to put the lipstick on her.  Not only that, but I managed to tear my left cornea lose from my eyeball while clearing brush so focusing on details is near impossible at the moment.  If you've ever heard the saying, "its better than a sharp stick to the eye", I can promise you there are a whole lotta things better!        Anyway, one last pic and there are several witnesses that saw and shot this bow at the classic that can verify that this is indeed a functional bow if there be any doubts.   . Thanks for looking !    Josh

[osage outlaw]

I saw it in person.  Its one of those bows when you look at it you think, "this shouldn't be possible".  Great job pulling it off Josh.  Last year you had that short walnut, and this year you brought this bow.  How are you going to top it next year? 

[JW_Halverson]

When I saw Gert, my first thought was RONG!  It was so wrong, I didn't have time to pick up a silent letter w to start it out, I had to get straight to the RONG! 

Three reasons why:
1.) It was ERC, it shoulda blown up long before tiller was complete.
B.) There are two gaping holes in the one limb....the working part of the limb!
III.)  Gun Dog was holding it, it shoulda been me. Me, I say!

Don't beat yourself up too badly, O Great Rider of the Ken-ebago.  At least it ain't got wheels.
 

[hedgeapple]

Super nice bow.  And I'm peed again.  I never saw it at the classic, like about a million other bows I've seen posted here.  Next year at the Classic when I talk with someone it's going to be, "hi how you been.  SHOW ME YOUR BOWS!"  haha

[Zion]

Haha it seems like when you hear anything about erc everyone's like 'it has to be backed' and all that. And then you see something like this, it makes me wonder what it's really like lol.
Really awesome bow!

[Olanigw (Pekane)]

The fact that you got it ready for finishing is a testament to your skill

@JW, I see what you did there

[k-hat]

You are da man Doc!  A fine job on a stave i would probably never touch.     Sorry to hear about the eye, those cornea injuries are a beast.

[TRACY]

Really nice Josh! I've got a sapling curing now to try an unbacked myself, thanks for the motivation. Hope the eye is alright and heals to normal!


Tracy

[blackhawk]

That's one cool anomaly 

[hatcha]

Beautiful tiller.  Beautiful bow!  Look forward to seeing her with her slap on

Take care of your eye, Josh   sure, ya got a spare but no harm in keeping it that way for as long as you can

[mwosborn]

That is very impressive!  I have a hard enough time tillering those "perfect" staves!! 

[Newindian]

I've been wondering if the "juniper needs a backing" bag really holds any air

[Joec123able]

I've been wondering if the "juniper needs a backing" bag really holds any air

No wood NEEDS a backing

[Josh B]

Thanks fellas!  Clint, I just don't know what I'll make for a "classic" bow next year.  It depends on what stave I stumble on too in my stash.   As far as backing erc goes if its good sound sapwood on the back and you design, tiller, and hold your mouth just right, it will stand a good chance of making a fine bow.   In my experience, if there's any heartwood showing on the back, it NEEDS backing.  Blackhawk said it best, this bow is nothing more than an interesting anomaly.  I would like to be able to say it was all skill, but even I have limits to how big my stories can get .  Thanks again fellas and my eyeball is healing quite well!   Josh

[simson]

It turned out really great, Josh!
Congrats on this one - a definitely unique piece!

May I ask again:
Do you say ERC only heartwood NEED backing
ERC with sapwood on the back can be a selfbow, but better with backing?