This is my latest bow. Full draw pics will have to wait a week...
It started as a Nice piece of VM tension wood about 5 inches diameter. Debarked and split in half, It dried too quick and the back was riddled with drying checks about 1/8 inch deep. That's why I decided to do a deer rawhide back. My main goal with this bow was to make a handle like my Fiberglass bow- a Falco Storm with a "high wrist" grip (similar to a Tolke Whip).
So, I roughed it out to a pyramid profile with a ridid handle. After I backed it with rawhide and Titebond 2, I set it over the radiator, where I usually dry bows, but this time I cranked up the heat and forgot about it for a few hours. Oops. The backing peeled away at the edges. I tried to soften it and reglue, and it worked somewhat, but some areas curled up again.
Next, I built up the cork handle using some templates I made from the other bow. The cork was glued together and to the bow with contact adhesive. Also, made a arrow rest from leather.
Finally I did a 2 step finish. Step one saturate with strong tea, let dry and repeat twice. Step two saturate with a month-old solution of white vinegar and steel wool. Let dry and repeat. Topped it off with some furniture wax. Lastly, I got my stretchiest braintan and glued it on for a grip with super glue.
Stats:
66 inches overall
width at fades- 1 5/8
width midlimb 1 1/4
width at nock 3/8
thickness tapers from 5/8 at fade to 3/8 at nock
handle at arrow pass not including cork and leather 1 X 1 3/4
Draws 40 lbs at 28
