Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Cloudfeather on July 31, 2012, 10:28:48 pm
-
Just got in a fresh stave and I'm like a little kid on Christmas again. lol. Going for another Lakota style bow with sinew. This stave is a little on the short side, 53 1/2", but I think I can make a nice little hunting bow from it. Now, if I can only score me some pike or muskie skins, I'll be really in the money.
-
i've tried northern pike skins it's difficult. there's zero colors under the scales like carp, but i've heard if you glue them on and dab something like super glue on all the scales they'll stay in place.
good luck!
-
How much actual working limb is in that design? Sinew is great stuff your last bow looked good.
-
I'll have to see what the skin looks like when and if I catch a pike. The working limb is only half the distance from the fade to the tip. 11 3/32 " on the bow. It'll be a slow and meticulous tillering process, I assure you. Lol
-
That's a great looking stave. I can't wait to see how it progresses.
-
Sure would like to see a full draw pic of the frist Lakota style bow, Like hrhodes said looking forward to the progress on the new stave.
DB
-
There's a full draw pic on the thread I posted with my first bow. Upper limb ended up a tad stiff, but it shoots well with very little hand shock. I decided to leave it be.
-
She's coming along nicely. :) My only worry is the knot in the static portion of the one limb. It's right in the fade, so I'm not sure if there's cause for concern or not. I might just wrap it with sinew when I back it.
-
Got her all sinewed up a few days ago. Still waiting for it to cure more before I mess with the tiller. Though, I did mix some osage dust with wood glue to fill in the crevices. gonna sand it down to a smooth finish on the back so I can paint it up nice when it's tillered and ready to go.
-
I like those recurves :) She's got a nice side profile now.
What glue did you use for the sinew? I've never done a sinew backing myself, but I think yours looks a bit messy...?
-
I use Tightbond III myself. It's always a bit messy, but it cleans up just fine when all is said and done. The sinew develops little hills and valleys in it as it cures and shrinks, so I just mix sawdust with the glue and fill it in to be sanded down later.
-
So, I've got the tiller mostly in, I believe. My only issue is a slight deflex off the handle, right at the upper limb. (Evident in photo). I'm going to try to heat it and put a slight reflex off the handle to try and remedy the issue. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
-
That might help, but you might wanna just try to fix it by tillering it to bend even. Looking good though. Be careful that does not become a hinge!
-
(...) I'm going to try to heat it and put a slight reflex off the handle to try and remedy the issue.
Be very careful with that. The glue does not withstand high temperatures well.
Are you sure the problem is deflex? You can only see deflex or reflex in an UNbraced bow. Judging from the pictures, the problem could as well be poor tillering...The pics earlier in this topic do not show any significant deflex...maybe only ½" or so.
-
Manage to fix it somewhat with some heat bending. Just have that tiny stiff spot to tiller out on the lower limb and she should be golden.
-
Despite having some fresh carp skins in the freezer, I decided to go a little astray with this and paint it. I know it's not exactly a primitive paint scheme, but I'm really happy with how it's coming together. Still needs to be clear coated and have some leather put on the riser yet. Can't wait to finish it and get to shooting it again. lol
-
Nice job Husker! Neat artwork!! 8)
-
Even though I prefer the natural look of wood or skins, my theory on painting a bow is similar to Doc Brown's theory on building a time machine, "Why not do it with some style?!". Haha, thanks, brother. Soon as she's finished, I'll post more pics.
-
wow, very impressive skills you have! Whats the history behind the Lakota bow? Quite an interesting design! Hows does she shoot?
-
Arrows, the Lakota bow was the bread and butter of the people. To us it held the balance of the people, meaning it had the power to give life (hunting) or take life (warfare). Most of our bows were between 39-53 inches. We had two styles "B" or gull wing and "D" style. The bows were short so as to be shot off horseback. Additionally, there were at times a horse hair tuft on the top nock, which had nothing to do with "windage". Rather it was symbolic of the horse which represented the Wakinyan or Thunder Beings. You see, in our culture we believe that the horse and bow were gifts from the thunder people thus when the two were combined the power of the Wakinyan became a part of the bow. Our relatives to the east (Dakota) had relatively longer bows. BTW, sled that is a nice design you got there. Well done.
-
Very nice bow and the artwork is impressive. I am a bit curious as to the "Lakota style" reference. I'm certainly not an expert on NA bows, but I have done a little research on the subject. I have yet to find a stiff handle example of a Lakota bow or one with reflexed Molly style levers. As Ogalala Bowyer pointed out, most are gullwing or d-bows. I'm just curious as too the specific tribal style reference origin. If you have a reference such as a museum example or something similar, I would sure be interested in checking out. I love to check out that sort of stuff. Once again, very nice job on that bow! Josh
-
Good looking stave and looks like you done well with it,don't know nothing about the Lakota thing but the bow is very nice none the less,like the painting and looking forward to seeing it finished up. :) Should spit an arrow. :)
Pappy
-
That is a cool bow! Well done!
-
Almostpighunter's build along referenced the style as Lakota/Mollegabet. I wasn't really going for an era accurate replica, just using some design ideas. I'm guessing that traditional NA bows weren't painted with Krylon spray paint? Lol
-
Great job :)
Very nice art work!!
-
That explains it. It definitely has Molly design characteristics. I'm no expert on finishes either, but I would be willing to bet krylon was probably not used much either! Lol! Nice work! Josh
-
I do believe that "say it with krylon(tm)"is an old na phrase ::)
Cool looking paint job ;)
-
Well, she's basically done. Think I might do a thin wrap of red dacron on each limb right where the static portion starts. I'll have a money shot up a little later on. Hope you guys dig the end result. :)
-
Here's a close up of the handle wrap and the full draw shot. Been a pleasure building as usual, thanks guys for your comments and kind words. Looking forward to my next project. :)
-
nicely done! looking great!
-
Man, that bow is gorgeous. Very nice paint job!
-
Thanks a lot guys. I almost forgot... She's 53 1/2 inches ttt, 52 inches ntn and she pulls 48# at 28". I left the bellies of the limbs unsealed so that the wood and sinew can cure out some more. I'm guessing between 50-55# when all is said and done.
-
that's a very cool bow. It's definitely striking!
-
You are obviously no newbie to painting, that has got to be the best artwork I've ever seen on a bow! Great job,
-Billy
-
You are obviously no newbie to painting, that has got to be the best artwork I've ever seen on a bow! Great job,
-Billy
Actually, I've only ever done a wee bit of spray painting in my day. I'm pretty sure that I did this the hard way(cutting strips and pieces out of masking tape with an exacto blade). The lines aren't as crisp as I anticipated, but I think the imperfections actually look appropriate for it. Glad you dig it. :)
-
Sled, what a great looking bow...you mentioned that your stave was shorter than you really wanted...what do you think would be an optimal length for this style of bow?
Lyle
-
Sled, what a great looking bow...you mentioned that your stave was shorter than you really wanted...what do you think would be an optimal length for this style of bow?
Lyle
I guess it all depends on the weight you want from it and draw length. I was shooting for around 55# on this bow(might get there after some more curing). I'd have just preferred to start with a stave of around 56-58 inches. Then taken it down if I needed. In this case, the bow turned out just about perfect for my draw length and desired weight.
-
It was a tragedy but it had to be done. The paint was unable to handle the stress of the bow and starting cracking. I stripped her down and threw some python skins on it. Here's some pics...more to come in the near future. I may or may not leave the skin from the head there. ATM though, I think it looks slick. lol