Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: gmc on January 01, 2011, 03:39:01 am

Title: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 01, 2011, 03:39:01 am
Alright, been on the injured list for a few months and just now being pulled back into action for another assignment, otherwise I'd be just looking at everyone else's bows because its easier  ;D. 

A very fine gentlemen ask for a bush bow similar to the one I posted a few months back. I am pretty close to finishing the bow and took a few pictures along the way since my one bow a month has turned into "one every now and then". ::)

 Here's where I started with this bow. I had a nice big chunk of red mulberry harvested in March of last year, large tree of about 14 inches in diameter.

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/MulberryStave1.jpg)

I always remove the sapwood and heat correct early on if needed, there was a little work to do with this stave. I used a dry heat to take the deflex out of the one limb.

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/MulberryStave3.jpg)

Here's the stave after heat correcting.

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Mulberrystave4.jpg)

I then chased down two more rings to build the back of the bow with removing more mass on the belly. This bow will be short for its draw length so it needs a good thick ring to support the back.

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Mulberrystave5.jpg)
 
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: n2huntn on January 01, 2011, 10:13:00 am
looking good, hope you get better too
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: ohma on January 01, 2011, 10:38:03 am
keep them pics comin.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: ken75 on January 01, 2011, 11:26:05 am
looks like an excellent start , glad to see you posting again!
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: NTProf on January 01, 2011, 12:17:09 pm
I love the background of the last picture - looks like a Christmas card setting!
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Pat B on January 01, 2011, 12:37:31 pm
As said above, you have made a good start. Just take your time and keep posting pics.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Eric Garza on January 01, 2011, 06:15:47 pm
What bow dimensions and draw length are you aiming for?
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: bcbull on January 01, 2011, 08:04:42 pm
looks good so far  love thaqt maulberry  brock
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on January 01, 2011, 08:29:11 pm
Looking good. With that reflex it should be quick. Jawge
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 01, 2011, 09:47:29 pm
Thanks, guys.

I'm still catching pictures up. Here's the bow off the tiller tree, I did manage to hang on to a little reflex.  ;D This little bow is doing a lot of work for its length and draw weight. The bow is 58-inches ntn pulling 60 lbs. @28.5. I originally had it tillered for 67 or so but decided to take it down a little at the last minute. Here's the flat profile of the bow before I install the handle wrap.

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/sideprofile1.jpg)

Here's the front profile of the bow. I've been working with this design for about a year now. It's bends slightly through or up to the handle. I went a little wider this time to 1 5/8 being a tad conservative. Because of the extra width I will need to build up the handle area on the belly, normally I don't do this. The bow finished at a mass of 15.3 oz..

 (http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Frontprofile-2.jpg)

Jawge, it is pretty quick.  ;D

I will post some more pictures shortly.



Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Keenan on January 01, 2011, 10:34:43 pm
GMC, that is looking great. Love that style and with the slight bend through it should be a great bush bow. Profile is excellent ;) Looking forward to seeing that thing bent. ;)  Hey what part of Kentucky are you in. Lulyn's sister lives in Borea. So maybe on one of our trips down there we can hook up for some shooting.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 01, 2011, 11:16:15 pm
Thanks, Keenan.

I live about 2 hours from Borea (122 miles) but it may be a lot closer depending on which way your traveling in to Borea. I live in Clay City, about 40 mins. from Lexington and if your traveling I-75 it would be much closer. The next time you're traveling send me a pm and I will take a day off work or whatever it takes to string bow with you. ;D Maybe I will have a decent bow to shoot by then with some able arms to string one. I was really hoping to keep this one but I got a feeling its headed for the west coast.  ::)
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Pat B on January 01, 2011, 11:43:22 pm
Nice simple design. I am working on a locust bow similar to this one but mine is 65" long. I like the cut in handle area.
  Are your fades 2" to 3" on either side of a 4" handle?
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 01, 2011, 11:56:18 pm
Thanks Pat.

Locust is fine bow wood for these parts.

I use 3 inch fades with a 4 inch handle. But those fades are going to work right up to the handle. The inner 3rd is held pretty straight buy design because I want to hold that area just a little stiffer even thou it bends. I like somewhere between elliptical and circular tiller with this design. The 3 inch fades really open up the sight picture for the archer, too.

Yes, very simple design.  ;)
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: NTD on January 01, 2011, 11:56:26 pm
VERY nice bow GMC, I really like your bows!
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Pat B on January 02, 2011, 01:19:46 am
I like to feel the handle "give" just a bit at my full draw(26"). That type of handle lends itself to that.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 03, 2011, 05:22:05 pm
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/afterhandle8.jpg)

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Back9-1.jpg)

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/nock-1.jpg)

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/brace6.jpg)

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/Bracebelly7.jpg)

(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh213/colevy/FDO11-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 03, 2011, 05:23:38 pm
I cannot believe that I just got all those pictures into one post.  :P
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Pat B on January 03, 2011, 05:28:29 pm
Very nice and a wonderful bend at full draw!  8)
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: ken75 on January 03, 2011, 06:52:46 pm
another fine one !! but then i didnt expect anything else
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Keenan on January 03, 2011, 07:09:13 pm
 That came out great, Very nice tiller and love the finish, Congratulations
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: ErictheViking on January 03, 2011, 09:54:25 pm
excellent job! looks like a nice shooter. Really like the braced photo.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: hedgeapple on January 04, 2011, 01:50:53 am
Another awesome bow, my friend.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: bcbull on January 04, 2011, 02:19:51 am
HEY J D  SEEMS  UR NAMES MISSIN IN THE BOW BULID BRO LOL YA BETTER GET SIGNED UP  BROCK
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Pappy on January 04, 2011, 06:42:12 am
Great looking bow.tiller looks good as dose the rest of the bow. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Parnell on January 04, 2011, 09:41:02 am
That's an outstanding bow.  Very nice work.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on January 04, 2011, 12:56:05 pm
Really nice, tiller looks great!
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: TBod on January 04, 2011, 01:54:28 pm
Very nice!

The wrapping almost looks like Birch bark on some of the pics, am I imagining?
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: wodpow on January 04, 2011, 02:15:50 pm
Very nice the whole bow is in on the power transfer and the tiller is right on talk about a smooth arch.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: gmc on January 04, 2011, 06:57:27 pm
Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the nice comments.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Josh on January 17, 2011, 04:05:20 pm
very nice entry for January BOM contest!   :)
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: swamp yeti on January 17, 2011, 04:11:25 pm
That is one nice looking bow,good job.
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: Sidewinder on January 17, 2011, 07:06:43 pm
GMC great job on that one. That mulberry looks real good. I like that design for a short bow. It does'nt look too stressed either.  Danny
Title: Re: Mulberry Bush Bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on January 17, 2011, 10:33:09 pm
For some reason I feel compelled to comment on how beautifully zen that stick is.  Much respect to you for this posting.