Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: SLIMBOB on January 27, 2014, 06:57:09 pm

Title: Bebe le Strange
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 27, 2014, 06:57:09 pm
This is the bow I finished from the “Old Wormy Osage” post.  For those that didn’t see the post, this bow is from a stave that laid out in the weeds in a North Texas pasture for 9 years.  It was offered to me (well, I kinda begged for it) and so I took it and went to work.  If you care to see before and after it’s in the other post.  In short, it was a scraggly, worm hole ridden Osage stave that appeared to be in miserable condition.  4 inches wide and 74 inches long, I split it down the middle and got 2 staves from it.  This was the sister that appeared to be the least hearty of the two, mainly because of the big knot on one limb.  So, I went long and made the handle work a bit on her.  It was a good call as this one needed the extra wood.  Lots of issue with it all the way through.  None proved fatal but I was never completely sure I would get it strung and shooting, until I had it strung and shooting.  It just never gave up.  Osage is miraculous stuff and this bow is to me a testament to that fact.  I’ve been shooting it for a week or so now and I’m very pleased with it.  Beautiful burnt orange color to it, good bit of character and a sweet shooter for sure.
The tiller looks a bit wonky.  Reflexed out of the handle on top and deflexed on the bottom.  I started heating the deflex out and got most of it, but it’s not completely even leaving the handle.  It’s also twisted a bit on the bottom which skews it.  From the other side it looks the opposite.  I think it’s as close as I can get it.
I’ll do the other sister next.
Thanks, Slim.
Osage
Working handle
Length  66 inches
Width   1 3/8 inches through the middle third then tapers to 3/8 at the tips.  Slightly narrowed handle
 46 lbs at 27 inches
Silk thread accents
Plum sapling overlays
Spray Poly finish

BTW.  For those that got tired of seeing the other post roll up, it's officially retired.  :)
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 27, 2014, 06:58:06 pm
Money shot!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Onebowonder on January 27, 2014, 07:11:59 pm
That's a BEAUTIFUL BEBE!

OneBow
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Trapper Rob on January 27, 2014, 07:15:20 pm
Real beauty.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: mwosborn on January 27, 2014, 07:22:31 pm
That is a nice looking bow - quite an accomplishment! 
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: osage outlaw on January 27, 2014, 07:23:59 pm
That was a great save.  You made a fantastic bow from a stick in the weeds.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: adb on January 27, 2014, 07:27:20 pm
Oooo... bebe... that's Purdy nice!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: seabass on January 27, 2014, 07:33:49 pm
awesome.you did great.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Badly Bent on January 27, 2014, 07:48:54 pm
That turned into a sweet bow Slim. Real good looker too, nice work on that old discarded piece of sage.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: IdahoMatt on January 27, 2014, 08:27:35 pm
Great job man.  I loved to see this one from star to the beautiful finish.  Very nice :)
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Danzn Bar on January 27, 2014, 08:44:50 pm
I like her all dress up in black and red trim (lace)  :)
DBar
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 27, 2014, 09:37:04 pm
I think you are Heartless to show that bow and not let me shoot it, you Barracuda!

"When I heard you play I knew your
Name should be changed
We're all dog panicked and you are to blame
Everybody ought to call you
Bebe Le Strange
You look so insane
We gave you a name
Bebe Le Strange"
-Heart
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on January 27, 2014, 09:41:14 pm
That is one cool bow.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Arrowind on January 27, 2014, 10:51:07 pm
Very nice!  Good look'n bow!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: soy on January 27, 2014, 11:02:04 pm
that Sir is a thing of beauty !!!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Badger on January 27, 2014, 11:23:38 pm
  Beautiful bow, great job maintaining the profile.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: lostarrow on January 28, 2014, 12:29:06 am
 Love it! 8)
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: mikekeswick on January 28, 2014, 04:50:36 am
Great looking bow. Persereevance pays off!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: simson on January 28, 2014, 05:16:28 am
Beautiful bow! nice profiles you made her!!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: dwardo on January 28, 2014, 06:23:00 am
Absolutely gorgeous.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Gsulfridge on January 28, 2014, 07:50:57 am
Excellent job!! 
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: JonW on January 28, 2014, 08:02:25 am
Nice work! That turned out sweet.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: burchett.donald on January 28, 2014, 09:19:50 am
Been wait'n on that full draw Slim...Looks good from here 8) Really nice all around...
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 28, 2014, 10:17:25 am
Thanks guys.  This one was interesting for sure and I appreciate all the comments.
JW catches the Heart reference.  Seems we both had/have a mad crush on Nancy Wilson, that guitar playing temptress.
Thanks Badger, I'm particularly happy with the minimal set it's taken. 
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Parnell on January 28, 2014, 10:53:29 am
I always enjoy seeing these ole fencepost bows.  Hope I get to do one someday.  Great work!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Scottski on January 28, 2014, 10:58:36 am
Very nice bow.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: PaulN/KS on January 29, 2014, 12:18:27 pm
People tell me I'm heartless but I do like that bow...
 ;)
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: H Rhodes on January 29, 2014, 04:55:09 pm
Heck yeah, that's a sweet shooter.  Good full draw.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: bowtarist on January 29, 2014, 04:59:50 pm
WOW! That is one fine bow! Bet you;re real proud of that one. dp
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Josh B on January 29, 2014, 07:30:58 pm
She's a beauty Slim!  Kudos for sticking with it Sir!  Josh
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: SLIMBOB on January 29, 2014, 08:20:20 pm
Thanks Josh.  I really slowed down and never pushed this one at any point, right up to 27 inches, but I gotta say that if this were any other wood than Osage there would have been no bow to make in any proportion.  Couple that with the spring steel hardness of this particular stave and I think this baby was just meant to be a bow, long before I stumbled across it.  Thanks again to all.
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: burn em up chuck on January 29, 2014, 09:19:25 pm
    that waxy feel to really old osage awesome

                                            chuck
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: DuBois on January 29, 2014, 09:44:45 pm
That is a beauty!
Great save on the old wood.
Marco
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 29, 2014, 10:02:50 pm
    that waxy feel to really old osage awesome

                                            chuck

Very old osage does have a radically different feel.  "Waxy" late growth is a great description.  But the crumbly early wood is exaggerated, it is a wonderful wood to chase growthrings on!
Title: Re: Bebe le Strange
Post by: Aaron H on February 18, 2014, 08:57:16 pm
great work