Morning Folks, names Jacko and I hail from Queensland Australia. I have been making and shooting pre 1900 Archery Tackle since the early 90's. I have been away from Primitive Archery Forum for a while. I let my subscription lapse to this Mag and the others I bought to help make ends meet a few years ago and sorta drifted away from the Forum.
I have recently been coaching a young Fella in the Art of making Selfbows, Arrows etc and it has sparked my enthusiasm again so I started poking around the Forum a week or so ago. I have not made any Bows for years simply because a properly made Selfbow is so drag through the Scrub durable. I last made a Bow 3 or 4 years ago. My 3 Favourite Bows where made in 1996, 1998 and 1999 and all 3 are still going strong. I've been flashing these Bows about for years so I'm sure some of you will recognise them
These 2 Bows are made from Brigalow, an Aussie Hardwood. The longer Bow is 42# 76" ntn. Its really a target Bow but spits an Arrow more than Hard enough to Hunt with if I so desired. The Flatbow is my all time Favourite and has Hunted well for many years 54# 63" ntn . The Backing is a Snake Skin Cotton Print we Aussies call Flannelette. All Native Snakes are protected and huge fines apply, we leave em alone also because 9 of the top Ten Worlds deadliest Snakes are Australian
My Bow of the Moment does not quite qualify as 100% Primitive, its a 45# Grozer Magyar Bio Composite Horn Belly, Sinew Backed but an undisclosed Modern Glue instead of Hide Glue is used in it's construction. Amazing Bow, the Cast is incredible and has to be seen to be appreciated
My creative side has been nourished since I layed off the Selfbows with Leathercraft, here's a Kangaroo Rawhide Sheath and an EBay Viking Era Knife, takes a good edge and is great to carry being so light. It is lined with split Cowhide and I used a Mexican Braid Stitch to fancy up the Sheath.
This is my favourite Hunting Knife. I salvaged it from a rubbish Bin when I was doing some work in an meat Works. A worked had dropped it in a Mincer,and badly chipped the Blade. I had to reprofile it quite markedly, ground a stick Tang etc. I hafted it in the traditional manor where you soak the Antler for several weeks and then push the Tang through the softened Antler core. Crikey !! Don't it stink after a few Days - the Wife was not happy
, When the Antler dries all the smell dissipates and the Tang is held firm. I Carved the Antler Handle. I have since restitched the Sheath with Rawhide Lace, the Artifial Sinew was useless.
A Homemade Knife, I used a broken Power Saw Blade. The Scales are another Aussie Hardwood - Beefwood. When cut the Grain and Colour look like a Beef Steak. Fitting for a Knife. This is a really excellent Skinning Knife. The Crossdraw Sheath is Kangaroo Rawhide and again I used a Mexican Braid Stitch on the Edge. Difference is I twisted up several lengths of Rawhide to make some Cordage and I thought it would look cool used to Lace this Sheath.
Enough Pics for now Folks, really happy to be back and I must say I am really impressed with what I have seen on the Forum
regards Jacko
