Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 08:21:55 pm

Title: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 08:21:55 pm

This is my latest bow. It is a bend through the handle design made from a serviceberry stave. 58" ntn and pulls 62# @ 27". The handle is elk hide dyed black with a Strunk style wrap. Finish is Tru-Oil over a medium brown leather dye. I expect I will be taking this bow to the mountains to hunt elk this year. Sorry I don't have a hand held full draw - the weather is just too crappy for an outdoor photo. I know it looks like there is a small hinge on the outer bottom limb. It is actually where the plane of the belly changes significantly because I was compensating for an irregular crown at that point. If you look at the outline of the back you will see that the bend is smooth.

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2020002.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2020002.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2020004.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2020004.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2030005.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2030005.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2070078.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2070078.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2070061.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2070061.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080092.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080092.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080103.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080103.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080080.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080080.jpg.html)

(http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gferlitsch/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080112.jpg) (http://s793.photobucket.com/user/gferlitsch/media/Serviceberry%20hunting%20bow/P2080112.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: PAHunter on February 08, 2014, 08:25:40 pm

thats a great looking bow!  Good luck with the elk.  I'm debating bring a selfbow next time I go.  That would be a great accomplishment.  Have you killed elk with one before?  If so, I'll have to pull a story or two out of you.   ;)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: longbow steve on February 08, 2014, 08:26:01 pm

I love everything about that bow. Congratulations Gordon.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: adb on February 08, 2014, 08:30:36 pm

Good to see someone is making nice bows and not firewood.  ;) A thing of beauty, as usual Gordon. I cleaned my glasses twice, but I can't see a hinge in either limb.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: ajooter on February 08, 2014, 08:39:51 pm

Wow!  I love the color on that bow.  I agree....hinge....what hinge?!  Gorgeous bow!

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Danzn Bar on February 08, 2014, 08:44:53 pm

Awesome looking bow...I really like the un strung profile....
DBar

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: DuBois on February 08, 2014, 09:05:05 pm

Man, that is a beauty in every way. Thanks Gordon,
Marco

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: hunterbob on February 08, 2014, 09:10:03 pm

Nice looking bow. I really like the tips

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on February 08, 2014, 09:12:43 pm

Gordon. That is a sweet looking bow! Great job. I love the overlays on tips.

Mark

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 09:18:03 pm

Thank you PAHunter. I killed a 6 point bull with a sinew backed yew bow 2 years ago. Technically not a self bow, but I was pretty happy with it.

Thank you for the compliment Steve.

Thank you adb. The "hinge" is a small indentation on the belly about 8" up from the tip. It fooled me a couple of times while tillering with the tree and I would have to check it again.

Thank you ajooter.

Thank you Danzn, it holds its profile pretty well for a shorter bow.

Thank you for the compliment DuBois. I appreciate it.

Thank you bob.

Thank you MD. They are Strunk style tips, but I don't do them nearly as nice as he does. But I'll get there.


 

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: BOWMAN53 on February 08, 2014, 09:42:06 pm

That is gorgeous Gordon.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Arrowind on February 08, 2014, 09:52:42 pm

Oh THAT BOW IS SWEET!  really like those tips.  The tiller, the color, the handle, everthing about it.  Nice work as usual.  I always look forward to seeing your bows.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: IdahoMatt on February 08, 2014, 09:53:34 pm

Your bows never seize to amaze me.  Great job on yet another beautiful bow.  Your bows always make me want to get down to the shop :)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: mwosborn on February 08, 2014, 09:55:28 pm

Beautiful bow!  Love the wrap.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on February 08, 2014, 09:57:18 pm

Beautiful and simple.  Looks like it would be effective too!  Nice piece of serviceberry. 

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Badly Bent on February 08, 2014, 10:03:06 pm

I see that indentation on the bottom limb Gordon but it wasn't easy to spot, excellent tiller on that bow. Looks like a perfect candidate for an elk hunt, if you get the shot opportunity my money's on you and that bow to get it done. Go get 'em.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 10:23:50 pm

Thank you Bowman, I appreciate the compliment.

Thank you for the nice words Arrowind.

Hey Matt, thank you. I appreciate it. I like your bendy handle bows a lot!

Thank you mwosborn.

Hey Carson thank you. I'll bring it to the shoot. But after a year of shooting 50sih bows, I've got to build back up to this weight.

Thank you Badly Bent. At close range I think I'll be able to drive a heavy arrow right through one with this bow.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: PeteC on February 08, 2014, 10:35:03 pm

Another great bow.Nice job Gordon. God bless

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: zenmonkeyman on February 08, 2014, 10:48:02 pm

Another stunner, Gordon! I'd feel better about myself if you admitted to breaking one occassionally haha.

Since my choices for bow material up here in Manitoba are primarily 1) serviceberry, and 2) even-more-twisted serviceberry, I'd like to compare notes... How do you rate its elasticity with other woods? What was the diameter of this tree here, looks like maybe 3 1/2"? Do you commonly find them this large in your area? Was this an amazing stave to start with, or did you have to do a lot of correcting? Did you heat treat?

Sorry to be a pain, you are already forgiven for not replying to everything lol. I'm a big fan!

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: osage outlaw on February 08, 2014, 11:12:10 pm

That's a beautiful bow Gordon.  Your work is always impressive.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 11:19:09 pm

Thank you Pete.

Zen, thank you for the really nice words. Serviceberry is an excellent bow wood. I'd rate it right up there with vine maple. That was actually a sapling of about 2' in diameter. The limbs are about 1 1/2" wide which was the most width I could get out of the this piece of wood. This was an exceptional stave, fairly large diameter (for this wood), straight, few pin knots and no twist. I only had to do a little correction for string alignment and I did heat treat the belly.

Thank you for the nice compliment Osage.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Bryce on February 08, 2014, 11:22:02 pm

Wonderful Gordon:) is that sylvan serviceberry? Lots of it behind the broadhead pit;)

58"ntn.....Playing it a little safe are we? ;)

-Pinecone

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 08, 2014, 11:25:37 pm

Hey Bryce. Yep, that stave came from the range. 58" is about right for this style and my draw length. Much shorter than that and it will start to stack.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: adams89 on February 09, 2014, 02:00:58 am

Beautifull as always!

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: bubby on February 09, 2014, 03:21:15 am

that bow spouts classic, another great looking bow Gordon, bub

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Bowman on February 09, 2014, 05:31:52 am

Fantastic bow with perfect tiller and outstanding color. I'm impressed. :-)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on February 09, 2014, 08:11:40 am

Very nice Sir!  Love the understated beauty in this one.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Will H on February 09, 2014, 10:28:45 am

Your work is always incredible Gordon, I hope you get the chance to make some meat with that this upcoming season! Looks like it will get the job done very well :)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: dbb on February 09, 2014, 10:38:18 am

Quote from: Bowman on February 09, 2014, 05:31:52 am

Fantastic bow with perfect tiller and outstanding color. I'm impressed. :-)

+1 and i love those overlays too,i have to try that sometime.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: FRITZ 86 on February 09, 2014, 10:57:51 am

Love your work. Beautiful bow!

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: rps3 on February 09, 2014, 10:58:39 am

Awesome bow, good luck hunting.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: NeolithicMan on February 09, 2014, 11:03:29 am

now thats is a purdy bow!

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 09, 2014, 12:01:00 pm

Thank you Adam.

I appreciate the nice comments Bub.

Thank you for the nice words Bowman.

Thank you Slimbob.

Thank you for the compliment Will.

I'm glad you like the overlays dbb.

Thank you Fritz.

Thank you rps3.

Thank you for the compliment Neo.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 09, 2014, 12:19:09 pm

That's a slick little stick Gordon. I like that stain color.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: ohma2 on February 09, 2014, 12:31:03 pm

Like it all the overlays and the dye are realy nice.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Zion on February 09, 2014, 02:26:48 pm

Awesome bow! I love serviceberry as a bowood. Can't decide between it and Hawthorn and Chokecherry tho.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: dwardo on February 09, 2014, 03:57:16 pm

Pretty, graceful, simple yet understated. Got it all.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on February 09, 2014, 05:56:07 pm

Dang!  That's a beaut.  Looks like it'd swing an arrow pretty nice

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: kelley on February 09, 2014, 06:51:09 pm

Beautiful in every way, Gordon.  Please bring it to the flint-knap party this Saturday.  We need to show it off!
Kelley

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: burchett.donald on February 09, 2014, 07:00:46 pm

  Gordon,
              I like everything about this bow from the profiles to the color... 8)  excellent work...

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 09, 2014, 07:02:42 pm

Thank you Pearl. I like these little sticks for hunting.

Thank you for the nice comment Ohma.

Zion, thank you for the compliment. I agree, serviceberry is good bow wood.

Thank you dwardo.

Thank you Peacebow, it seems to shoot an arrow pretty well.

Hey John, I'll definitely bring it to your place on Saturday. I'm looking forward to seeing you!

Thank you for the nice compliment Donald.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Blacktail on February 09, 2014, 07:03:39 pm

great work gordon....i beat its a snappy shooter...john

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: DarkSoul on February 09, 2014, 08:14:46 pm

Mister Gordon did it again.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 09, 2014, 08:24:24 pm

That's a very nice bow Gordon, bright but nice  :)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Adam on February 09, 2014, 10:15:50 pm

Very, very nice bow as always.  Your photography is top notch too.  What are the tip overlays made from? 

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: bubby on February 09, 2014, 11:41:43 pm

Quote from: DarkSoul on February 09, 2014, 08:14:46 pm

Mister Gordon did it again







more like "MASTER" Gordon

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: medicinewheel on February 10, 2014, 02:24:38 am

Beautiful bow, just like all your other bows...
Love the still lifes, too.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Mohawk13 on February 10, 2014, 02:44:16 am

Nice looking bow!!!! I to will be venturing to the woods with a self bow this year for elk...Good Luck...and keep up the good work. Love the color and the bow as a whole...

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Pappy on February 10, 2014, 08:14:05 am

Beautifu bow Gordon,very nice in all aspects. :)
  Pappy

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: blackhawk on February 10, 2014, 08:48:47 am

Beauty  8)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: H Rhodes on February 10, 2014, 02:21:21 pm

Always look forward to your posts.  This one did not disappoint.  Fine looking bow.  Looks like it wants to go elk huntin.   :)

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: missilemaster on February 10, 2014, 02:35:39 pm

Fantastic Gordon! Love the tip overlay.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on February 11, 2014, 01:01:37 am

Hey John, thank you. The bow seems to launch a arrow quick enough.

Thank you DarkSoul. I appreciate it.

Thank you Marc. I appreciate the compliment.

Thank you for the nice comments Adam. The tips are made of buffalo horn.

Thank you again bubby.

Thank you Frank. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Thank you Mohawk. It doesn't get any better than hunting elk with a selfbow. Good luck on you hunt this year!

Thank you Pappy. I always appreciate your nice words.

Thank you Blackhawk.

Thank you hrhodes, I think this bow will take to elk hunting well.

Thank you for the compliment missilemaster.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Ghost Dog on March 10, 2014, 10:25:44 am

As always Gordon, a really nice bow. Beautiful finish work, beautiful tiller, and that inexpressible quality that fine selfbows have.

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: dmenzies1950 on March 10, 2014, 07:24:17 pm

Gordon, You an artist in every sense of the word! Every part of that bow is a work of art! What really impresses me is the finish and handle, pure perfection, and that's the truth!            Dale

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: jimjimmysticks on March 15, 2014, 09:27:45 pm

very strong and great looking it will do want you want

Title: Re: Serviceberry Hunting Bow
Post by: Gordon on March 16, 2014, 01:29:25 am

Thanks for the compliments guys. I appreciate it.