Osage with Montana rattlesnake skins

[Kidder]

Here’s my most recent bow I just finished up around the time the trade was starting. It was made for a friend who is a part Indian from Montana. So naturally I dressed it up with Montana rattlesnakes. It’s Osage I got from Jim Hammer in Missouri a few years ago. Beautiful thick rings but also thicker early wood than most.  Pulls 50# at 27”. Had a big snaky part in the upper limb that had some twist that straightened out. As a result the tiller looks a little different from each side. I made the final tiller adjustments based upon set rather than observed bend, which was deceiving up until then. Probably my favorite bow to date. Tough one to give away. Hope you like it.
 Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr
Osage self bow with rattlesnake skins by B Kidd, on Flickr

[GlisGlis]

Your friend will love it!
very nice bow

[Pappy]

That's a beauty, looks like you nailed it, your friend should love that.
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

Very clean work, the tiller is spot on as well.

[bentstick54]

Great looking bow. Love the snake skins. Tiller looks great to me. Your friend should love it.

[Will B]

That’s a beautiful bow!  Very nice bend and the skins look awesome!

[Selfbowman]

I like it . Excellent craftsmanship.

[superdav95]

Very well done kidder.  Nothing wrong with that!  Love the skins and everything about it.  Great tiller too.  Nice

[Pat B]

Beautiful bow with beautiful tiller. Well done, Kidder   

[Hamish]

 Yep, it's a beautiful bow. Highly professional work.

[ssrhythm]

Oh my...that tiller is beautiful...bow is too, but you nailed the bend!

[wooddamon1]

Beautiful work!

[razorbak]

That’s  beautiful and if your friend doesn’t care for it I’ll be your new friend 

[Kidder]

Thanks guys. It was a fun build and he really liked it. But I’m open for new friends all the time!