Author Topic: Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)  (Read 8335 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Adam

  • Member
  • Posts: 913
Bow for a new archer (New photos on page 2)
« on: September 21, 2014, 03:24:45 pm »
My wife and I are expecting our first child next week (due on opening day of deer season, no less) and I wanted to make something for him.  Here’s Baby Charlie’s bow.  The bow is red oak finished with 4 coats of Tru-Oil followed by shellac.  It is 20 ¼ inches nock to nock.  It pulls a massive 6 pounds at 7 inches.  Everything is scaled down to average baby sizes (I’ve calculated that a typical baby’s draw length is around 7 inches.  If that ever comes up on Jeopardy!, now you know. ).

The point is novaculite wrapped on with artificial sinew.  I would have liked to have gotten it a little smaller to keep with the scale, but this is the best I can do with my knapping skills.  I had a very difficult time getting such a thin arrow to accept the point as the wood kept splitting.  I tried using a sharp knife to create a small notch in the shaft using very light pressure.  A trip to our friendly neighborhood emergency room and three stitches later, I have determined that this is not necessarily the best approach.  What ended up working pretty well was using a thin X-acto saw blade to create a kerf then putting the end of the arrow in boiling water for a couple minutes to soften the wood.  Fletching is from a turkey I shot a couple seasons ago. 

This bow will help decorate his room, but I’m looking forward to the time that I can make him a larger, more normal sized bow and enjoy shooting  and hunting with him.  Thanks for looking.
« Last Edit: September 28, 2014, 06:23:48 pm by Adam »

Offline Danzn Bar

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,166
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2014, 03:31:41 pm »
Congratulations on the first and the baby bow.... :)
DBar
Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking

Offline Stixnstones

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,695
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2014, 04:35:49 pm »
Tiller looks spot on, lil Charlie's gonna love it
DevilsBeachSelfbows

Offline H Rhodes

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,172
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2014, 04:39:58 pm »
Outstanding!  That's starting 'em out right.  ;D  Congratulations.
Howard
Gautier, Mississippi

Offline Badly Bent

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,750
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2014, 04:58:35 pm »
You know he probably won't be able to shoot it until he's around six weeks old. ;)
Very cool and congrats to you and your wife on your first. :)
I ain't broke but I'm badly bent.

Offline Adam

  • Member
  • Posts: 913
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #5 on: September 22, 2014, 08:37:00 am »
Thanks everyone! It was a fun project.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2014, 02:52:47 pm by Adam »

Offline George Tsoukalas

  • Member
  • Posts: 9,425
    • Traditional and Primitive Archers
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2014, 10:11:32 am »
Beauty! Let us now when he is born. Jawge
Set Happens!
If you ain't breakin' you ain't makin!

Offline paoliguy

  • Member
  • Posts: 604
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #7 on: September 22, 2014, 12:50:40 pm »
Love that full draw picture. Congratulations!!!

Offline Adam

  • Member
  • Posts: 913
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2014, 08:59:38 pm »
I'll certainly let everyone know George.  I've learned a ton from your site, by the way. Thanks paoliguy!

Offline 4dog

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,610
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2014, 09:36:30 pm »
do i see some string follow?????......just kidding awesome !!! and congrats!
"SET" is always there !!!

Offline Adam

  • Member
  • Posts: 913
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2014, 09:39:19 pm »
Ha ha!  It does have a few millimeters of string follow! That's actually probably a lot on this scale.  Hand shock is pretty minimal though ;)

Offline lebhuntfish

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,823
  • If the wood will bend, I'll make it beautiful!
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2014, 10:13:20 pm »
Very cool Adam, congratulations to you and your wife!  Patrick
Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout!

Missouri, where all the best wood is! Well maybe not the straightest!

Building a bow has been the most rewarding, peaceful, and frustrating things I have ever made with my own two hands!

Offline hunterbob

  • Member
  • Posts: 890
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2014, 10:15:51 pm »
Nice. I bet that would take care of NY short drawing the bow.

Offline IdahoMatt

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,093
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #13 on: September 23, 2014, 12:02:24 am »
Very cool man.  Congrats.  Soon you'll be shooting together

Offline Drewster

  • Member
  • Posts: 687
Re: Bow for a new archer
« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2014, 12:12:46 am »
Congrats to you and your wife Adam.  I'm betting your son will come to cherish his birth gift someday.  Very nicely done.
Drew - Boone, NC