Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: John K on June 11, 2009, 11:18:20 am

Title: ERC
Post by: John K on June 11, 2009, 11:18:20 am

Hi All, I'm wondering what a good design for ERC would be  ???

The stave is just under 61" 2" wide and knot free. I would like to build a bow that bends through the handle and is unbacked. around 40#'s would be great.

Here are a few pics. Thanks John !
the back.
(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/ercback.jpg)
the belly
(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/ercbelly.jpg)

and a couple of the sides.

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/ercside.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/erc.jpg)

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: OldBow on June 11, 2009, 12:19:08 pm

Envy! :P :P :P

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on June 11, 2009, 01:31:37 pm

I tell ya, if this stuff works out, i'm going to get more of it....it sure is fun and EASY to work !

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: adb on June 11, 2009, 02:46:16 pm

ERC makes an excellent ELB, but that piece is a bit short. I'm sure it'll make a good flatbow. That being said, I did just finish a 58" yew ELB bendy handle. I think whatever strikes your fancy!

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on June 11, 2009, 02:52:31 pm

Thanks Adam, Will see what see happens, it still needs some time to dry. It was cut only 3 weeks ago !

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: snedeker on June 11, 2009, 04:04:52 pm

From what I've seen here over the years the shorter pieces make a nice sinewed wide flatbow

Dave

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: ricktrojanowski on June 11, 2009, 10:50:12 pm

John
I'm in the process of making a sinew backed ERC.  It is in a holding pattern. ;)  I made it 58" long bend through the handle,  1 7/8"  for 2/3 the lenght of the limb, to about 5/8 at the tip.  The stave I had was clear but I backed it to be safe.  I think you could make it about the same dimensions with no problem  since it is such a clean stave. 

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: El Destructo on June 11, 2009, 11:31:24 pm

John ....I have made everything from ELB's and Paddle bows to this little Bow for a 4 year old in Australia....I love the Stuff...it is great to work....and Zippy as all get out!!

[attachment deleted by admin]

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Pat B on June 11, 2009, 11:35:39 pm

John, I think I would rawhide back even though the back looks very clean. Keep it pretty wide for most of the limb and let it bend at least to the handle if not through.  Sinew backing would be an interesting option also.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: nugget on June 11, 2009, 11:41:37 pm

Outside of Osage, ERC is my favorite wood. I have made several bows out of ERC. They are fast and kinda unstable. I have also blown up several bows out of ERC. That short I would make it a backed flat bow. A bend through the handle I would want it longer. If you are going to not back it you can not do anything to the back except take the bark off. But be careful not to violate the rings at all. I like to take some of the sap wood off so the belly has some red in it. Leave some white wood on for safety and back it with rawhide. This will make a fast bow with some built in safety. Go slow with tillering. Once you get it close to the dimensions you want use sand paper or a scraper to finish. It is soft wood and it will go south real quick.
Good luck.
Pm Me if you have any questions.
TJ

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on June 12, 2009, 10:28:53 am

Thanks everyone for there input ! I will keep you all posted as to how it goes.

When i cut this a few weeks ago the bark peeled right off, so the back is in prestine condition !

It sure is easy to work, plus the shop smells like a big cedar chest  :D

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: AKAPK on June 13, 2009, 04:26:59 pm

nice cedar john.phillip

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 28, 2009, 01:40:41 pm

Hi All, I finally got it done. I'm very happy with this bow, it's the fastest i've made to date. 52# @ 28" 61" ttt
I used a piece of Turtle shell scale that i had for the strike plate and Purple Heart for the arrow shelf and tip over lays.
The Diamond back skins came from ADB in a trade.

I hope you like the pictures, i just wish i would of had a little more sun for the pictures !
(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/UNBRACED-4.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/BRACED-2.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/SNAKESKINS.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/STRINGTRACK.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/HANDLE.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/TIP1.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/TIP2.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/FRONTPROFILE.jpg)

(http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll62/johnkeehn/FULLDRAW-1.jpg)

JohnK

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Pat B on August 28, 2009, 01:51:47 pm

John, everything about this bow looks good. I especially love the heartwood "flames" at the handle.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 28, 2009, 01:56:12 pm

Thanks Pat ! I plan to hunt with this one  :)

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: JustAim on August 28, 2009, 02:28:57 pm

John, Thats an awesome looking bow! The heartwood on the handle really sets it off too! Great Job and good luck with hunting this year.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: DanaM on August 28, 2009, 02:30:41 pm

Pretty bow John, hope ya get some meat with her :)

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 28, 2009, 02:31:30 pm

Thanks JustAim, When i was making it, i was worried i wouldn't have any heart wood left, but it worked out good  :)

Thanks Dana !

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: El Destructo on August 28, 2009, 07:49:34 pm

Awesome job John...I love the looks of ERC...and them Tip Overlays  are tight too...actually just like Pat said....everything about the Bow is nice...

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: PeteC on August 28, 2009, 08:10:13 pm

You did real good on that piece of cedar.The wood is beautiful.I'll try ERC again some day,but I'm having trouble gettin' past some major explosions on well tillered staves :o Great job on yours though !!! God Bless

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: ricktrojanowski on August 28, 2009, 09:05:34 pm

Very nice,  the bow looks great.  The handle with the heartwood had such a beautiful look.   Awesome job.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Jesse on August 28, 2009, 10:19:46 pm

That bow looks great John. Love that heartwood in the handle also. Should be a great hunting bow.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: billy on August 28, 2009, 10:39:04 pm

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!  I love it!

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: nugget on August 28, 2009, 11:17:29 pm

I have a piece of ERC that is screaming to be molded just like that one. Very nice work. Love how the heart wood is on the handle.
TJ

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Parnell on August 29, 2009, 12:21:25 am

Wow, that does look sharp.  Brilliant job.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: AKAPK on August 29, 2009, 03:36:10 am

Sure is Pretty wood that Cedar wish I could get some in Cali.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Hillbilly on August 29, 2009, 10:54:01 am

Great looking bow, John. Nice detail work, skins look great, and I love that heartwood flare in the fades.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 31, 2009, 10:19:26 am

Thanks for all the kind words guys ! I was shooting the bow some this weekend, it really zings an arrow !!

2 weeks and i take it to the woods  ;D

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: Pappy on August 31, 2009, 11:19:03 am

Man that is a beauty,I like everything about it. Very nice job. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: adb on August 31, 2009, 11:30:42 am

Hey, John
Super job!! Very nice. Your tiller is excellent, and I love the coon tails on the skins. You gotta be proud of that one.

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 31, 2009, 12:02:36 pm

Thanks Pappy, Adam you got that right  :)

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: GregB on August 31, 2009, 01:02:59 pm

That one really turned out nice! That cedar grain sure does catch the eye! ;)

Title: Re: ERC
Post by: John K on August 31, 2009, 01:22:18 pm

Thanks Greg, i sure will be looking for more of this wood  :)