Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Danzn Bar on November 19, 2013, 10:25:08 pm
-
Hey Guys,
I've been looking at a mulberry branch stave a guy gave me a year or so ago. It was only about 3 1/2" in diameter and had two huge rings of sapwood. the rings were about 1/2' thick each. Oh ya... that only left about 1 1/2" of heart wood. I had split it in half as soon as I got it and put it inside the house to dry. I did a lot of research and found that bows have been made out of sapwood only. Most of them was reported to have pretty good cast, except I found one that Pearly made was a dog. But I went ahead and took off the bark, not many but a few small pin knots and cut the profile out. Pat B has always said 10 -15% more than osage. So, I made the fades 2" wide out 10" and then tapered to within 9" of the tips to 3/4" wide, the last 9" to the tip I want to make really thin and stiff. The handle is 4" with 1 1/2" fades , ntn is 64". I also put about 3" of reflex in it.
Well I cut the thickness out on my band saw and started floor tillering. I learned on the last couple of bows to do as much floor tillering as possible. I use a push/pull stringing method every time I string a bow and I think that has help me get the feel of floor tillering to within 5-10 pounds of my target weight, 50#. Finished it up on the tree pretty quickly.
Man this bow is scary light in the hand compared to the osage that I have been working with. Every time I pulled that thing back I was expecting it to explode!! but it hasn't yet. No heart wood except in the handle. 100% of the working limb is sapwood. This wood is much softer to work with than osage or hickory. The only thing I have found that I don't like about it is the creamy color of the sapwood. I'll probably stain it when I'm done. I've been wanting a dark colored hunting bow.
Shot it 50 times tonight and WOW is it snappy. I still flinch every time I pull it back.... it is so light in the hand and no hand shock. I can't believe it, Hope it holds up.
OH..... pics are coming, Man I haven't said this much in a long time. I'm just fired up with this mulberry stuff.
DBar
-
Sounds like your on a good one Bill, I've read that mulberry sapwood is fine also. Since you had no options with your stave its good to see that it worked. I've done a handful of mullbery bows but only one where I left one thin ring of sap on the back and it was my favorite mulberry bow to date, Cody has that bow now and far as I know its still in one piece.
Looking forward to the pics of yours.
-
Way to tease us Bill. Where are the pics.
-
The nerve of that guy!!! You can't just waltz in here telling of nice bows and not show pics!! That's 5 demerits and your name on the board mister! :laugh:
-
Looking forward to seeing it,I have a mulberry in the works right now,it is all heart wood but still very lightt in the hand. :)
Pappy
-
Glad to hear you're having success with it Bill. Now show us the pics! >:D
Tracy
-
Say Bassmaster, where did you get that branch? I cut out an identical sized mulberry branch last night, I got it from Scott (Stringman) at pappys last spring. You got me all excited about it now! Ive been on a tear the last 2 weeks, 42-45% humidity gets me all giddy!
-
Sounds cool Bill can't wait to see pics
-
Mulberry is great wood. Anxious to see some pics, don't know about the sapwood, but the heartwood will darken some with age.
-
Mulberry is great bow wood. Its physical lightness is what makes it so fast. I've made bows from all heartwood, all sapwood and everything in between. The only difference I've seen is a bow will be thicker the more sapwood on it.
-
Hey Guys,
Yep, I agree with all of you. I need to get this sucker finished and some pic's taken, work has been killing me the last few days, maybe this weekend.
Pearl, the branch came from a co workers back yard. ??? The other half of the branch I think I'll chase one of the sapwood rings and have more heart wood left on the belly. It might be a little narrower than this one, but what the heck. I've got to go and get some more of this stuff, The guy cut the whole tree down last weekend.
Pat, this bow has a very high crown, @ mid limb it's a little less than 2" and the best I can measure about 1/2" at the crown. way more than what osage would be at 1 1/2" wide.
Thanks for committing , I'm shooting it before each finishing coat hope to have finished pic's this weekend. Critics are welcome that and making shavings is how I learn. :)
DBar
-
It don't exist unless we see pics ;D
-
yeah I've got a bit of mulberry , one in the shop waiting, the sapwood darkens fast and it's pretty, gonna leave some sapwood on this one and maybe make an elb with it
-
It don't exist unless we see pics ;D
+1
-
Come on bill...ya posted this a day ago and not even a teaser pic yet ??? ::)
-
Looking forward to the pics! I have made a couple mulberry and I agree - they are extremely light and quick.
-
This has gone on way too long! WHERE'S THE PICS!!
-
Ok Guys,
Here is the final specs on this simple hunting bow.
Mulberry 3.5" dia. branch stave split in half
64" ntn
50# @ 28"
8" of handle and fades
Last 12" of the tips are stiff
2" wide @ the fades
1/4" wide nocks with zebrawood overlays
4 small knots
Stained with a alcohol base walnut stain.
19 oz mass weight including jute handle wrap and string.
And a few pictures, comments welcome
Thanks for looking
DBar
-
And a few more
-
Sweet Bill love that one hope to see it in scottsburg soon :D
-
Nice bow. I like the color and the profile of that bow. It would be a good hunting bow. Nice work.
-
That one should do the deed!way nice :P
-
Well its about time you finished this one after that teaser post a few days ago. ;D Worth the wait though from the looks of it in pictures. Real nice Bill, great attention to detail on everything from layout to tiller to finish. I like this one alot. Thats a beauty of a mulberry bow there and I'd bet it is a beauty to shoot as well.I hope to see that bow in person come spring at the classic Bill.
-
Nice! I like the way the color transitions toward the tips.
-
man that is classy. love the color. i think i read that mulberry is a cousin to osage, how does it compare working with it?
-
That' just plain beautiful! Thanks for the pics.
-
That looks like its got some cast in it...sweet bill..and nice sexy narrow tips 8)
-
Beautiful graceful profiles and sweet bend...Bet it's quick
-
Thanks Oz, It will be there if it lasts until the first and third week in Jan. See you there.....
Been wanting a hunting bow that's not so flashy....thanks
BB right now it shoots sweet, hope to see you at the classic, maybe we can shoot a round.
Mulberry is a lot softer than osage
Yep, I think it's quick, but couldn't tell ya for sure.
Thanks all for the comments, but, I was hoping for a little corrective criticism from Blackhawk, OO, Pearl and the others on the tiller really helps me to train my eye.
THANKS! GUYS
DBar
-
I really like the looks of that one - nice!
-
Very very VERY NICE!
-
That was worth the wait :D
Cool bow Bill. Looks like a smooth shooter. I'm looking forward to seeing that one in person. I need to find me a mulberry stave to try out.
-
Nice Dbar. I love the finish work great job.
-
SWEET FLIPPIN' MULBERRIES, that's one nice bow. You had better bring that down next week if you come this way. I'll know my schedule tomorrow and will PM you.
-
Really nice looking bow there! I love that dye job, assuming that's what it is. It looks like you got a nice fade in the color going out towards the tips. And speaking of the tips, do those limbs gradually taper starting at the fades or are they parallel for a ways before tapering?
-
Nice bow....and scales! Good work Bill.
-
Sweet. I've got a Mulberry I cut last Xmas that I just scraped the bark off last week and it's my first one. Been watchin this one. Worth the wait for sure. Very nice Sir.
-
very nice
chuck
-
Very nice mulberry bow, DBar.
-
Thanks to all for the nice words...........
kilted,
It's parallel about 8" out of the fades, gradually tapers until about 10" from the tips then a faster taper to the 1/4" wide nocks.
Sounds good hedge.............
Thanks again all,
DBar
-
love the stain job!great looking tiller!
-
Looks good,light in the hand and I bet a sweet shooter. Very nice job. :)
Pappy
-
Very nice. Great finish and nice skinny tips.
-
That is a fine looking bow. I like everything about that one. Your finish work looks excellent.
-
Great job! Love it!
-
Oooooh, that's pretty. Tiller is spot on and love the color of that stain.
-
Now that Sir....is a beautiful bow! Very nicely done Sir! Josh
-
Thanks again guys...............I'm going to make some time during the holidays to finish the other half of the branch. Went over the guys house who gave me the branch this weekend, he had cut the rest of the tree down. Boy was it full of knots and branches. It was about 8" in diameter and not a piece 5 ft long with out a branch or issue. We managed to cut three pieces which will make some billets. I hope to get 4 to 6 workable billets out of it. we'll see.
Thanks again,
DBar
-
awesome bow, love it! And I got a nice mulberry stave just waitin....I think I got my inspiration to start working on it!