Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: 1/2primitive on June 05, 2007, 07:13:44 pm

Title: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 05, 2007, 07:13:44 pm
This is a longbow I just finished up today, it's made of cedar, so it looks like the size of a mini warbow. It was a fun and quick bow to make (I made it in about 3 hours or so from stave to tillered). It is mostly sapwood, so I made sure to make it pretty long, because I didn't want it to break! At about 47lb@27", it's quite light for a 'warbow' (now before you warbow guys hop on me for calling this a warbow, I know that it is very light and short, so you don't have to tell me! lol). It is 63"ntn, about 1&1/2" wide at the handle, and a little over 1/2" at the nocks. It also has osage tip overlays. I don't really like the color of osage with the cedar, so I might change it sometime. Anyway, the finish is linseed oil with a wax coating over it. It holds the water out pretty well.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0021-1.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0025.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0026.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0027.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0029.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0030-1.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0031.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0032.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0033.jpg

    Yep, lot's of pictures. Enjoy!
         Sean
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: koan on June 05, 2007, 07:22:39 pm
Sean, that is awesome! I love it. Simplicity is still the best designs in my book. Tiller looks great in my opinion.....Brian
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 05, 2007, 07:29:14 pm
Cool color Sean.  Justin
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 05, 2007, 07:38:57 pm
Good looking bow.
I have three ERC staves drying at home.
When finished, I hope one of them is as good a bow as your is.

Thanks for showing me how it is done.

David
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: mamba on June 05, 2007, 07:59:05 pm
Sean ,I think you are 1/2 primitive,great job !
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Loki on June 05, 2007, 08:04:39 pm
Thats a lovely looking Bow,gorgeous wood  8).
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Kegan on June 05, 2007, 08:05:58 pm
I like it- simple, straight forward- must be a joy to shoot  :)!
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Jbell on June 05, 2007, 08:19:22 pm
Great job Sean, looks like a pleasure to shoot. Nice tiller also.
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 05, 2007, 08:24:01 pm
Thanks so much guys.

Koan, Yes, I love the simplicity of bend theought the handle bows, I am liking them more every time I make one.

Justin, that was the main reason I couldn't help but make a bow out of it, I couldn't bear to see this nice piece of wood thrown away.

David, I am learning as well, so we are on the same page. But thanks for the compliment, the main thing is to make allowances for a slightly brittle wood (wider, longer, ect.).

Thanks, Mamba and Loki.

Kegan, yes, it does shoot pretty well, I like it.

Thanks Jbell.

Here is a picture that better shows the tiller (I hope! I think I'm holding it at a slight angle).

(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n236/Thebowguy/000_0023-1.jpg)

            Sean

Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: DanaM on June 05, 2007, 08:38:43 pm
Tiller looks good, love the heart wood color on it. I agree with ya on the Osage overlays.
And yer pulling it like a warbow watch yer ear might need it in the future ;D
Overall its an impressive bow, well done!!!
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Loki on June 05, 2007, 08:46:46 pm
Thats the way to draw them!  :D
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Gordon on June 05, 2007, 09:16:20 pm
I love the contrast of the heartwood and sapwood. The tiller looks spot on. Nice bow!
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: duffontap on June 05, 2007, 09:41:50 pm
Very nice job Sean.  You're finding a lot of time to build bows--don't neglect your studies. ;D  Just kidding.  Great job.  The tiller is very nice. 

              J. D. Duff
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 05, 2007, 10:25:24 pm
Hey Josh, don't forget that it's summer vacation! ;)
       Sean
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: NOMADIC PIRATE on June 05, 2007, 10:30:10 pm
that's the way I bow should look like
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: GregB on June 05, 2007, 11:57:44 pm

Great job Sean, really really like it! I've never made a cedar bow, have heard it's difficult to make it stay in one piece. :)
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Pat B on June 06, 2007, 12:09:07 am
Sean, You did an excellent job. The color contrast is stunning also.   Pat
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: George Tsoukalas on June 06, 2007, 12:12:31 am
Very nice. I like the tiller too. Jawge
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: AndrewS on June 06, 2007, 08:08:12 am
Good Job!
I like the contrast between heart- and sapwood. Great :)!
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: medicinewheel on June 06, 2007, 10:17:18 am
Good Job!
I like the contrast between heart- and sapwood. Great :)!


dito!!!

frank
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 06, 2007, 12:31:32 pm
Oh, and Oldbow, maybe don't bookmark it untill after I have the tips redone. It'll look a whole lot better then. ;)
       Sean
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: OldBow on June 06, 2007, 01:08:44 pm
Got your fine bow bookmarked for June Self Bow of the Month.  Looks like a dandy.  Must be smooth to shoot. - OldBow
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Hillbilly on June 06, 2007, 01:09:11 pm
Good looking bow, Sean-You've been turning out some nice ones lately. Tiller looks great, and it's hard to find a piece of wood that looks better than that red cedar. Bet it's light as a feather, too.
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Stickhead on June 06, 2007, 03:45:17 pm
Nice bow, Sean.  How'd you finish it, to bring out that heartwood coloring?
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: 1/2primitive on June 07, 2007, 11:15:18 am
Stickhead, the finish is linseed oil and a wax coating over that, and I rubbed the wax in.
      Sean
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: SimonUK on June 07, 2007, 06:04:43 pm
A very nice looking bow, well done. Nice shooting style too, you wouldn't look out of place at Agincourt  :)
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Asiertxu on June 07, 2007, 06:24:18 pm
EXCELLEN job Sean!!!.... ;)...
Cheers...
Asier.
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: jpitts on June 08, 2007, 12:22:02 am
Love the contrast between the sapwood an heart wood....very nice bow.
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: gpw on June 19, 2007, 11:21:56 am
We've built many cedar bows in the past , mostly backed with thin hickory , even thinner bamboo or even polyester camo net glued on the bias and doubled... all were long , light in the hand , had good cast , and little if any hand shock ... ... Most had a more rounded belly ,longbow style ...Plus they smell nice to work on  ;D
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Badger on June 19, 2007, 12:25:41 pm
Very nice job on that bow, you have a good eye for tiller, Steve
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: Pappy on June 19, 2007, 12:39:38 pm
Very nice bow,tiller looks good and the tip set it off. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: My cedar longbow (pics)
Post by: jamie on June 19, 2007, 03:46:49 pm
awesome. really awesome