Deflex HHB Recurve

[Marc St Louis]

I've been working on this bow for a few months, there was awhile there when I didn't think I could finish it.  I got new wind and kept on going.  The bow is Maple backed HHB in a deflex reflex configuration that's 68" long with 1 7/8" wide limbs.  It has a fairly high draw-weight, the reason why I didn't think I could finish it. 

The guy who wants this bow asked me a couple years ago if I could make it, I initially said I could but that I didn't want to.  Then a few months ago he contacted me again and said he was ready for it now, I guess he forgot that I had lightly declined to make it.  I felt energetic so decided to tackle it, never again.  It's still not quite finished, I still have to put the shelf and handle wrap on.

Here's a few pics

[DC]

That's a sweetheart Marc. I've always liked your handles. What is the DW?

[osage outlaw]

Those limbs look thick.  I bet it's a heavy draw.

[bushboy]

Beautiful in every way!

[Marc St Louis]

Yes the limbs are thick and wide.  The draw weight is such that even though I can get it to full draw I can't keep it there long enough for the camera to capture the image.  Draw weight is 135# @ 30".  It has a 14 strand FF string and it sings at brace.  This is what I got for a full draw image

[DC]

Holy crap!! How long is it?

[PatM]

Beautiful work.

 DC,    68"

[Badger]

  Beautiful job on that one Mark, I started on one a few years back when we talked about I and I still haven't finished it. My back has just not been good enough. I am impressed that you can still draw that kind of weight. Any chance the buyer will bring it to the flight shoots. It might get some impressive results.

[DC]

Beautiful work.

 DC,    68"

Stupid me, now i see it

[bjrogg]

Beautiful bend as always Marc. whats your combination of woods on your handle?
Bjrogg

[Marc St Louis]

I heat-treated and glued in about 4" of reflex but it lost all of it.

The guy said he and his son wanted it for target shooting, maybe that includes flight.  He initially asked for 150# but scaled it down to 135#.  It would be interesting to see him draw it, I can't pull it back more than 14". 

The handle is made up of HHB, Maple and Osage.

That is the last heavy bow I make.

[Badger]

   I think I know who he is. He and his son are flight shooters. They showed up last year at the flats. The both draw heavy bows. They are going to be a force to reckon with in the heavy weight bows.

[upstatenybowyer]

Wow Marc, just wow. I'll bet that bow would throw an arrow right through a moose or bear

[Eric Garza]

Do you make your own maple backing strips Marc?

[Marc St Louis]

Thanks all.  This bow has been the most challenging build I have ever done.  Trying to get the bow braced for the first time was a nightmare.  Even with my old jig for bracing heavy bows I just couldn't get the limbs bent enough to get the string on.  I had to slowly work them down till I could bend them enough.

I do cut my own strips Eric from trees I cut on my property