Rawhide-Backed Osage with Diamondback Snakeskins

[Will B]

I finished this osage bow last month. It’s 65” ntn with rawhide backing covered with western diamondback snakeskins. I decided to rawhide back it due to some minor back violations in the stave, and not enough room to go down another growth ring. Bow is 50# @ 27”. Pyramid design 1-1/2” at fades to 1/2” at tips.

I picked up the leather for the handle wrap from an Amish saddle shop scrap pile. I used buffalo horn on the tip overlays, and beavertail for the side plate and rest. I finished the bow with six coats of Tru-Oil and a final coat of spar-urethane. 12-strand B-50 Dacron string and beaver string silencers make the bow absolutely silent when shooting.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate all comments.

[Will B]

A few more photos and full draw

[PaSteve]

Looks like you've been busy Will. Another nice bow. Good job! Now, you have a hickory or an osage bow to hunt with. Not a bad dilemma to have.

[Will B]

Thanks Steve. This one is for a friend. A little short for my 29” draw

[bassman]

Nice Bill. Little short for your draw though.Like the profile,and skins.

[Stickhead]

Great curves, Bill!  It's hard to beat a pyramid Osage bow.

[bradsmith2010]

beautiful,, congrats,,

[bjrogg]

Nice bend Will. Nice work all the way around
Bjrogg

[bentstick54]

Great looking bow. My favorite design. Just out of curiosity, what is the brace height, and where do you measure from?

[Selfbowman]

Looking good Will! Nice lines. Arvin

[Will B]

Thanks for the comments fellas. Bentstick54 the brace height is 6-1/4” measured from string to the inside of the handle.

[Morgan]

Beautiful bow Will!

[MM2]

It's a beautiful bow! (I feel a modicum envy.  )

[bentstick54]

That’s the way I measure mine, and have found 6-1/4 to be the sweet spot on mine. Bow lengths from 63” to 68” of the same design.