Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Pappy on February 02, 2009, 06:19:57 am

Title: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Pappy on February 02, 2009, 06:19:57 am
Big A can't post pictures so he ask me to post these for him.I will let him come in with the details of the bow,All I know is it is pretty cool.It is Osage and is backed with Turkey breast feathers,looks very nice.He made this to give away at the TTAS banquite,some kid will be very pleased. :)
   Pappy

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Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Pappy on February 02, 2009, 06:23:41 am
And a few more.Nice job BigA.I know some young man/woman will love this.Now come on in and tell us the specs. :)
   Pappy

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Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Keenan on February 02, 2009, 06:29:37 am
 Very nice bow and gift BigA. The turkey feather backing is cool and unusal. You will have to give us the details on how you did that. Going to be some real lucky kid. ;)
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: AndrewS on February 02, 2009, 07:35:05 am
Never heard of  a feather backing - it is really nice!
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: GregB on February 02, 2009, 09:02:46 am
I got to see BigA's bow Saturday, and the turkey feather backing is really unique! Good camo idea for a hunting bow. Anthony has a big heart for the kids, I'm sure this bow will have a real positive impact on some lucky kid! ;)
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: brownhillboy on February 02, 2009, 10:37:14 am
That's a really cool looking bow!  I would've never thought of doing that with the turkey feathers.  I like that snakey look too.  Someone will be very happy I'm sure.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: DanaM on February 02, 2009, 11:23:14 am
Thats a dandy little bow, turkey feathers eh, thats a first I guess
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: cowboy on February 02, 2009, 11:38:49 am
Very cool BigA! I thought it was a snake at first glance :).
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: OldBow on February 02, 2009, 12:15:54 pm
Excellent work with that skin. I, too, could easily mistake it for a snake. Nice Tillering and looking forward to seeing this one for February Self BOM consideration.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: salad days on February 02, 2009, 05:31:41 pm
I've seen pheasant back feathers on a bow before but they didn't that good. Yours looks great and that is some of natures best camo. Well done Sir!
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: PeteC on February 02, 2009, 08:45:40 pm
That is neat!I thought it was snakeskin till I read the article.Great little bow,some kid will love it. God Bless
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Gordon on February 02, 2009, 09:22:47 pm
Turkey feathers - now that is unique. Cool bow.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: ricktrojanowski on February 02, 2009, 09:45:03 pm
Sweet bow.  I really like the lines. That feather backing is a great idea and it came out great.  Really nice work.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Big A on February 03, 2009, 09:02:11 am
Thanks for the comments guys. I hope to give you a litte more detail on the bow tonight when I have a little more time.
Big A
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: George Tsoukalas on February 03, 2009, 09:28:55 am
That is a great looking bow! I've never seen a bow backed with feathers. Very attractive. Jawge
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Justin Snyder on February 03, 2009, 10:15:31 am
Great job BigA.  I must say it sure looks like you are drawing it a long way for a kids bow.  Looks like an adult small game bow to me.  ;) You definitely get an A+ for creativity on the backing. Justin
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Stoker on February 03, 2009, 10:19:25 am
Great looking bow  how did you do the backing?
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Barrage on February 03, 2009, 11:11:37 am
ok, it's already been said a bunch already, but great idea with those turkey feathers!  Now you have us all looking around the house at everything in a whole new light.  Great little bow.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Ryano on February 03, 2009, 03:29:26 pm
Very cool Anthony.  ;D The feathers look way cool. Never would have thunk it.  :D
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: Big A on February 03, 2009, 09:52:32 pm
I started this bow to give away. It will go to the TTAS auction later this month. The bow is Osage cut in 04, it is 56.5" tip to tip sinew backed.I was tyring to have it fit a kid 8-12 years old that they could grow with  for a while. The weight is 39 lbs at 28 " . My intent was the kid could start at about a 20"draw with about 20lbs and move to 28" with a bow close to hunting weight. The limbs are 1.5" wide at fade with a taper to .5" at the last 12" to tips. I used dry heat to bend and line the limbs twice. The grip I copied from a bow Gary Davis gave to Pappy that I really liked. It is two parts with the top part acting like a rest and both parts going into the fades.I used really soft leather and it feels good to hold. I bent the tips, I think it makes the draw feel a little better.The tips are off a piece of 70 year old walnut that my  gave me. I cut the rest in with the handle offset off the center line to make it closer to center shot. This is to help the arrow selection easier. I tillered out to 28" and sinew it so it would last. I would hate to break some kids heart with it going down. It shoots my heavy arrows well. I know it will shoot the light arrows that come with it ( along with Quiver)well.
     The turkey feather idea came to me in a tree stand. I wanted something different to cover the sinew. I used the secondary wing feathers that I see most people throw away. I have even used them on arrows. I marked a center line on the back to guide the lay out of the feathers. Starting next to the tip I applied TB III wood glue with my finger. I cut the feather off the quill about an inch at a time and placed it on the limb lining it up on the center line as it it was the feather quill. Just take your time and work to the handle. At this point I was excited about the way it looked. I let dry overnight and then trimmed the edges. I had some parts that did not stay down I spent two days filling the voids with glue. Then sand lightly and apply finish. It turned out as good as I expected.
Title: Re: BigA's little Osage.
Post by: venisonburger on February 03, 2009, 10:45:50 pm
Gotta say you get the prize for creativity, I would have thought the feathers waterproof qualities would have affected good glue adhesion. Hey, has anyone put a turkey beard on a bow yet? kinda like people use horsehair on indian bows?