Apple flatbow 46# @ 29''

[BoltBows]

Hi all, hope you enjoy the read and pics:

This is a bow for an old friend who gave me a piece of apple that was pretty darn straight and only slightly twisted. The man is not only an archer but also a 'pomologist'... A what?! Someone who compares apples with apples and can tell the actual differences. Hence his nickname ''Mr. Apple.'' Needless to say he had a wish for a bow out of apple wood so we made a deal. he would trade me a few osage staves for a bow out of apple wood. So here it is.
I kinda freestyled the profile on this one. I drew a straight line on the back and started cutting with an axe, adjusting as I went along.
There were a few knots and cracks that I filled with superglue and also bound one particular knot that I didn't trust.
Apple is supposed to be premium bow wood, but to be honest it felt a bit soggy to me. The wood is definitely dry though. I didn't dare to heat treat it, but next time I definitely will. I think it will improve performance a lot.
In hindsight I think the tiller should be a bit more elliptical, especially on the lower limb. I didn't dare to put too much strain on that kink in the lower limb, but I think it could've taken a bit more. Oh well, it's a fine shooter and I've got to say: Apple is a gorgeous wood! Especially with that osage stain on the back it's a looker if you ask me.

And some stats:
- NTN length:              68''
- Draw weight:            46lbs
- Draw length:            29'' from the belly of the grip (about 29,5'' from the back)
- String(s):                 10 strand Spectra 652
- Max width:               47mm
- Stain:                      Osage/ammonia
- Finish:                     Tung oil
- Arrows:                    11/32 cedar shafts, barreled to 5/16 front and 1/4 back. 100gn points, 4'' feathers.








Thanks for checking it out,

Jaap

[RyanY]

Dude... that geometry at the tip is an awesome detail! Don’t think I noticed that on the gram. 

[hoosierf]

Now that’s how you do it right there.  Outstanding

[BowEd]

Great story and an excellent bow.I like horse trading deals.

[vinemaplebows]

Nice bow, great work! Nice to see a apple bow!

[Selfbowman]

Well done! Is Apple anything like cherry?

[Fox]

Thats sweet!!! Ive got a huge pipe straight apple log that I got from a friend but it was laying outside fo a year

No buggs under the bark though and it looks good still (made a pretty spoon outa a branch). I havent split it yet and am woried it will be twisty.... but now I gotta break it open ! tottaly inspired

[Lehtis]

Nice bow!

[BoltBows]

Thanks everyone!

Dude... that geometry at the tip is an awesome detail! Don’t think I noticed that on the gram. 

Thanks Ryan haha it's a good thing I post here as well then

Well done! Is Apple anything like cherry?

Cheers! Hmm it's close-grained and both fruit lol. Apple is heavier, stronger, harder and very resistant to splitting. I found it very comparable to hawthorn and pear to work with.

Thats sweet!!! Ive got a huge pipe straight apple log that I got from a friend but it was laying outside fo a year

No buggs under the bark though and it looks good still (made a pretty spoon outa a branch). I havent split it yet and am woried it will be twisty.... but now I gotta break it open ! tottaly inspired

Yes!! Do it! Apple might actually survive even when you cut through the twisted grain.

[simk]

Very clean lines on a very nice bow  you just rememberd me on that half-finished piece apple in my workshop....man, that stuff is tough to work!

[Del the cat]

That's very handsome... looks as though the lower limb is a whisker longer than the upper?... (or at least, it isn't shorter, as is generally the case).
I've made a few LLL (longer lower limb ) bows and found they seem to perform well... I think it's all to easy to follow the coneventiona wisdom and have the grip mostly below centre.
That apple wood looks good, a bit pear 
Del

[freke]

Realy nice bow love it and I learned a new proffession to - pomoligist

 is it the barks  I see left on the back, looks realy nice?
/Jonas

[Parnell]

Clean and beautiful.  That’s a pleasure to look at.

[gutpile]

am I blind or is that extreme violations on the back ?.. bow looks killer.. great job...check out them apples...!!! gut

[Fox]

am I blind or is that extreme violations on the back ?.. bow looks killer.. great job...check out them apples...!!! gut

I was wondering that too but I thought it was just the stain or a little cambuim left