Author Topic: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)  (Read 18667 times)

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Offline Gordon

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Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« on: January 27, 2008, 10:57:15 pm »
A good friend of mine, Gary, asked if I would make a bow for his son. Gary likes to shoot a longbow and frequently uses a vine maple bow that I made him. His son owns a compound bow and only takes it out a month before the season starts so they don’t shoot together much. Gary thought if he gave his son a longbow that might be a good excuse for them to spend more time together.

I had some lemonwood boards sitting in my garage that another buddy had shared with me a few years ago. Lemonwood was the bow wood de-jour back in the early 20th century so I figured it would probably make a dandy longbow if I backed it with bamboo. The finished bow is 66” ntn, 1 ¼” wide at the fads and tapers to 7/16” at the tips. I built the handle up with osage and the tips are overlayed with a some mystery hardwood flooring material. The bamboo and belly are stained with a tan leather dye. The handle is elk hide dyed with mahogany leather dye. The bow pulls 57# @ 27” and zips an arrow out there really nice. I think Gary’s son will be happy with this one.

















« Last Edit: February 17, 2013, 03:28:23 pm by Gordon »
Gordon

Offline david w.

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2008, 11:01:19 pm »
Nice bow Gordon.  its beautiful
These pretzels are making me thirsty.

if it dont go fast...chrome it - El Destructo

Offline Ryan_Gill_HuntPrimitive

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2008, 11:02:52 pm »
very impressive, everything i have seen from you has been beautiful- Ryan
Formerly "twistedlimbs"
Gill's Primitive Archery and HuntPrimitive

Offline Ryano

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  • Ryan O'Sullivan, North Western Pennsylvania
Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2008, 11:44:14 pm »
Nice bow Gordon. What are the wraps for? just decorative or is it a patch of some sort? How did you like the lemon wood? What does it compare to ?
Its November, I'm gone hunt'in.......
Osage is still better.....

tradrick

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2008, 11:51:49 pm »
Gordon you've done a awesome job as always.I really like the finish and the grip.tradrick

Offline tom sawyer

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2008, 12:08:29 am »
Its a beauty, like the lemonwood bows of old.  The new owner will be proud I'm sure.
Lennie
Hannibal, MO

Offline Gordon

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2008, 12:11:55 am »
Ryan, one of the wraps is a patch - I had to fix a small chrysal on the edge that developed because I radiused that edge a bit too much. Lemonwood is very easy to work and has no discernable grain. It is quite dense and light in color. I guess you could characterize it as a tropical whitewood of sorts. I cannot really compare it to any other wood I've worked with to-date.
Gordon

Offline koan

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  • Brian D. Mo.
Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2008, 12:38:12 am »
Gordon, she's beautiful...on my computer the tips look like purpleheart.....Brian
When you complement a lady on her dress.....make sure she is the one wearing it.....

Offline Dano

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #8 on: January 28, 2008, 12:41:03 am »
Mighty nice work Gordon.
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy."


Nevada

Offline Gordon

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #9 on: January 28, 2008, 12:50:53 am »
Brian, I'm pretty sure the tip wood is not purple-heart. The wood kind of a mahagony color and more dense than purple-heart. Whatever it is, it makes excellent tips.

Thank you all for the compliments.
Gordon

Offline Pat B

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2008, 12:59:55 am »
Another beauty Gordon. Your friends son ought to be pleased. 8)     Pat
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC

Offline Jesse

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2008, 01:13:20 am »
Very nice bow. And nice pictures of it. I like how you made the grip. What is the wrap material?
                                                                                Jesse
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
    --Frank A. Clark

Offline Gordon

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2008, 01:32:04 am »
Jesse, the handle is wrapped with dyed elk-hide.
Gordon

Offline Jesse

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2008, 02:12:12 am »
. What is the wrap material?
                                                                               
I was wondering about the patch. What did you use? :)
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."
    --Frank A. Clark

Offline Gordon

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Re: Bamboo backed Lemonwood Longbow (w/ pics)
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2008, 02:28:00 am »
Sorry Jesse, I misunderstood your question. The wrapping is dark green and red Brownell serving.
Gordon