Boo backed hickory bow based on Arvin’s design.

[superdav95]

Similarly like Simk I too have been the benefactor of getting to know Arvin and build a few bows based on his design.  This bow is a tribute of sorts to the bow he sent to me and I tweaked a few things that were insignificant but added my own touches.  This bow is 68.5” ttt and it pulls 50lbs at 28”.  It is a heat treated hickory stave bow build backed with a boo strip.  It’s about 1.3-1.4” widest point narrowing to about 3/8” or slightly less at the tips.  I used Buffalo horn overlays and kept them smaller to reduce the weight.  The speed I got from this bow was very good at 187fps on average at 9.2gpp.   It retained about 4.5” reflex after shooting in.  It’s mass is just over 600grams.  I have not put a leather wrap on it yet but will do it soon.  It shoots very straight and the deep shelf is near center shot.  Quite happy with this bow.  Here’s a few pics.  Thanks for looking. 

Dave

[superdav95]

Few more…

[Bob Barnes]

so many outstanding bows!  That boo backed hickory looks very fast... great work as always.   

[Pappy]

Another beautiful bow, very nice work.
 Pappy

[Hamish]

Yep, looks awesome, and fast. Professional job.

[superdav95]

Thanks guys! 

[bentstick54]

Very nice bow, and sounds like quite a performer.

[Del the cat]

lovely work... I can't help wondering how far it would throw a flight arrow
Del

[Will B]

Beautiful bow!  You are putting out some really nice bows!  I love the full draw and your finish work is top notch.

I’m working on a similar BBH and have a few questions on your build. Is this one asymmetric?  If so, how much longer did you make the top limb? 

I’m hoping to use a hickory stave and was wondering how you flattened and prepared the back of the stave for the bamboo. Thanks!

[Muskyman]

Another beautiful fast bow, as usual.

[Aaron1726]

The bamboo on the back looks awesome.  Is that just dye rubbed in?

[superdav95]

The bamboo on the back looks awesome.  Is that just dye rubbed in?

Thanks Aaron.  Yes it’s leather dye rubbed in.  I use a progressive approach going from lighter Colors to dark.  I use heat gun for mild heat in between the different Colors.  This keeps the creeping and bleeding of Colors to a minimum and allows you to rub it and blend it manually with a rag.  It allows you to get the blend you want. I’ll use a fairly dry rag for this step.   Hope this helps.  I may have to post a short vid on how I do it maybe if there is an interest.  I’m sure there is many ways to do this and get a good result.  I also lightly sand the back of the boo to just remove a little of the film so the dye will penetrate in some spots.   Cheers

[superdav95]

Another beautiful fast bow, as usual.

Thanks mike!

[superdav95]

Beautiful bow!  You are putting out some really nice bows!  I love the full draw and your finish work is top notch.

I’m working on a similar BBH and have a few questions on your build. Is this one asymmetric?  If so, how much longer did you make the top limb? 

I’m hoping to use a hickory stave and was wondering how you flattened and prepared the back of the stave for the bamboo. Thanks!

Thanks will!   Yes go for it it’s a great combo and performs well.  You can reach out to me in dm or email too.  Yes it is asymmetrical with top an inch longer.  Basically I use my fingers and a pencil to mark a fairly consistent line along the sides for the back removal of any crown to flat.  I’ve used files wrasps for this and have used my belt sander for deeper crowns.  You basically want to get it flat and scuffed well for glue up.  I also use the belt sander for my boo strip.  My poles are mosso poles which I get whole In 10 foot lengths.  I’m sure the boo strips would be easier if you can get them.  I found that the strips are more convenient for sure for these builds.  I buy the poles myself instead as I like having the option of other bamboo bow builds like the 5 piece bows where wider limb pieces are used.  I also lightly toast the belly of my strips too.  This step may be unnecessary if you get good dry strips.  I know guys that don’t toast the belly of their boo strips and have good results too. I just started doing this step as I know what it does for my other bamboo bow builds and helps remove excess moisture if any.  Anyway going into way more detail here message me if you like.  Cheers. 

[superdav95]

lovely work... I can't help wondering how far it would throw a flight arrow
Del

Thanks Del!   My plan is to get one like this done up and send to Arvin for him to test out. Heck I may just send him this one.  I do have my eye on a very clean hickory stave that I may reserve that.  This bow here has some minor splits out towards the tips on the belly I didn’t like although they are hardly noticeable I know they are there.  They filled in nice but still.   It would be very cool indeed to have a flight record bow.  We shall see.  He and I have been discussing this idea of flight testing for a bit.  Thanks again.