Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Zion on October 20, 2012, 03:36:27 pm
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So, a while back in the summer i went to visit some friends in their cabin on the edge of the cascades. The whole family is really into primitive skills/hunting. I've known one of their sons since i was like 5 (now he's 15.) He mostly makes laminated bows.
I was planning on seeing what kind of wood grew around there, and i saw a bunch of cedar so i planned on getting that. When we got to the cabin we started talking about yew, and he said they had seen some on a hike. So we went up there and sure enough there was a small grove.
Later when we got back I taught him a bit about making quick primitive bows, and since this was my first time with yew it was a learning experience for me, too.
When we had the bows floored tillered i showed him how to quick-dry the wood over a fire. The next day we tillered the bows and started shooting them.
I made mine quite short and pretty heavy, (probably 70#) and his was about 50# and longer. He didn't like the way his shot at all, so i made some modifications on the handle and tips to get some speed and accuracy. Later it shot real good, but unfortunately all my cheap carbon target arrows i had bought earlier broke when we went stumping. :-\ But it was really fun anyway, and he wants to make more primitive bows now. He lives in Alaska, so i told him he could try using all the birch up there.
Enough of the story. I got a haul while we were up there and brought it back, and i got this really nice piece which was originally in reflex. Somehow it dried in deflex though... :o Overall i love yew and it is really fun and quite easy to make a bow out of.
about 80#@24" (i'm going to start training for higher weights, i still have a few inches to go with this.)
it's probably around 55" ntn
Still needs to be sealed and i plan on wrapping the handle with some leather a generous person gave to me ;D
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seriously cool bow. 8)
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Wow! nice bow! i really think you turn a nice bow! ;D
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How are you measuring the weight of your bows?
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What kind of string is that?
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Nice primitive bow :) just how we like 'em.
Del
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I think you've got a damn good design right there. Develop her arrows!
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Thanks everyone. Bryce, I do the whole bathroom scale thing. The reason i didn't post exactly the weight was because I've done some sanding and stuff since i initially weighed it, and it was around 80.
Tortoise, the string on it in the pics is just the string i used to tiller it. I'm gonna made a real string for it though.
Parnell, I think the design's pretty standard. I haven't had luck with arrows, i'm not as good with delicate stuff, but we will see ;D
I'm glad i have more yew!
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what's the material? Mine needs a string, went through a bunch of dacron for 3 unsuccesful flemishes :P
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I'm not exactly sure what the material is :-\ It should be at most hardware stores, its the cordage stuff that usually comes in bundle lol
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Nice job, Zion! Looks like you guys had some fun!!
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Thanks lesken. I'm actually gonna try to get these guys on PA and post their stuff if they can find time, (it's swimming season over in Alaska :o)
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Great job bow looks great.
Rob
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That's beautiful.
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I like it Zion, another nice bow from you! Really like the way that bow bends in your full draw pic and the neat primitive looking style of the bow speaks to me. Good work young man. :)
Greg
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Thanks Guys! I really like the look of all the knots on Yew. ;) Seems like the bigger trees are a bit cleaner though. I'm pretty impressed by it so far.
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I never comment on the message boards at all. But that is one of the coolest bows I have seen on here ever! 8)
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Wow, thanks Horse Thief Killer!(cool name to) That's a serious compliment, with yew it's quite easy to make a nice bow, kinda like osage i guess. ::)
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I love all the knots and the way you shaped it. It looks like it has been truly done in the woods, by a warrior. Nice job again! 8)
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Nice bow Zion! The only yew that I've found so far is on state land, and I don't want to end up in jail, so I think I'll just stick to vine maple and ocean spray for now! Anyway good job Zion! Dale
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Nice work! That's a good looking tiller and I'm always a sucker for character. Josh
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Dale, you could always just sneak in at night and get a few... >:D But ya gotta love OS and Vine maple too.
Doc, i'm starting to like these character pieces too, maybe i can find a snaky piece.... ;D
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VERY nice bow....and spot on tiller:-)
I gotta warn you tho...do take care with those heavy draw weights. I, and many others have had serious muscle/tendon injuries caused by shooting too heavy bows. I allmost had to give up archery due to shoulder injury caused by a measly 60# bow.....at the time I could easily draw 80#. So take care mate:-)
Cheers
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TY Holten, how exactly did you get the injury? Just by repetitive shooting with that weight? 'Cuz to me it doesn't seem to be much different then say lifting weights when you draw a bow. Thanks for the heads up tho!
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TY Holten, how exactly did you get the injury? Just by repetitive shooting with that weight? 'Cuz to me it doesn't seem to be much different then say lifting weights when you draw a bow. Thanks for the heads up tho!
My injury broke out during a 3D event, but I guess it was a ticking bomb.
According to my physiotherapist a skewed muscle development in my shoulder (caused by archery) has pushed my shoulderblade up and slightly forward (left shoulder, I draw with my right arm).
The "new" position of my shoulderblade and slightly enlarged muscles around it limits the space for my upperarm tendons that fastens on my back. This induce a tendon irritation which makes it swell, which again worsens the condition even more.
My condition was mainly caused by less than optimal shooting form (stance and draw) and too heavy bows. Im still suffering from it now, a year later. A 45# bow and new stance make me able to shoot without pain tho:-). Tendons are not to be messed with:-/
Long story short....just be carefull mate:-).
Cheers
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Good advice from Holten. Your young and strong now Zion and probably not even thinking about what it will be like to be 50 or 60 yrs.
old but you got the archery bug big time buddy and most of us will tell you that you will still have it 30 or 40 yrs. from now. Bones and
muscles ache enough some days just getting out of bed past 50, just be careful and save some strength for later in life. :) :) :) ;).
Greg
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Ha yeah i guess i haven't thought about what it's like being 50-70. I guess one advantage though is retirement ;) Now i feel more motivated to study form and get mine better though.