Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Zion on November 05, 2012, 04:14:50 pm

Title: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: Zion on November 05, 2012, 04:14:50 pm
So, a few months ago i was looking for serviceberry. I found this tree that i thought was serviceberry but looked a little funky. it did have a very strong smell, though, and i took a small branch to test the strength of it. Liking what i saw, i cut it down and into 2 staves.

The first stave failed because i had no idea what i was doing, and was promptly burnt. The second stave was the top of the sapling, so i threw it in my barn and didn't touch it till recently.

This bow isn't much more of an experiment, since i have some really nice pieces seasoning. It seems to be a very strong wood, though much softer than say hawthorn or serviceberry. I'm gonna use more of this in the future!

I haven't taken a single measurement, but i estimate it's 53" ntn, and probably 55# @ 25". There is no finish and i barely sanded it, plus it is side-warped, but hey it would work in a pinch  ;D
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: killir duck on November 05, 2012, 04:23:48 pm
yep that looks like chokecherry alright, good work!!
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: tattoo dave on November 05, 2012, 09:57:57 pm
That's cool Zion. I love that super primitive stuff. I bet it would work just fine to put some meat in the freezer.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: sharpend60 on November 05, 2012, 10:07:01 pm
Thats a cool bow for sure.
I hope it holds up for ya.

Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: bow101 on November 05, 2012, 10:34:00 pm
Another great bow Zion, you definitley have the knack for working wood. I like the way you shaped the bow in it's natural rough form, truly inspiring..! :)
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: dmenzies1950 on November 05, 2012, 11:26:41 pm
I think you could probably slay something with that! Some of us do use bows as light as 55# you know! Anyway nice work Zion!      Dale
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: Pat B on November 06, 2012, 12:01:15 am
Very cool bow, Zion. Well done!!!  8)
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: Zion on November 06, 2012, 12:49:59 am
Thanks guys. 
Bow101, i also have a honed skill of breaking wood. I just broke a piece of hawthorn today because a splinter lifted off the side and ripped half the limb off.  ::)
Haha Dale, i guess i'm just not used to it.


I dug in to another stave i had of this stuff and found that it was quite dry to my surprise, i harvested it only about a month ago! Also there was no checking or anything, so it also leads me to believe that it dries well. I still have much to learn about this wood, though.
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: randman on November 06, 2012, 01:21:51 am
Boy, yer just crankin em out! You need to get a girlfriend so us old guys can catch up. That's a beaut!  Love the simple rusticity of it (I don't put finish many of mine either - unless it's going to somebody)  Wish I'da spent more of my time when I was your age makin bows instead of some of the non productive pursuits I wasted my time on (like girls and stuff). I guess you could do both at the same time...probably eat into the homework time though...........
Title: Re: Primitive Chokecherry Bow
Post by: Zion on November 06, 2012, 01:37:11 am
Lol randman!!
I was actually home with a horrible sickness of some kind so that's why i had some time. But also a lot can be done in just an hour of work after school, which is nice!

As for girls, there's plenty of time for them during class  ;) ;)