Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BL on February 09, 2014, 12:52:55 am

Title: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: BL on February 09, 2014, 12:52:55 am
I worked on this bow a little at a time over the past year or so.  It's for my wife to shoot when the weather warms up.  The elm stave was cut from her grandfather's farm about two and a half years ago.

68" tip to tip before the curves were bent.  1 3/8" at the flares out to 1/2" the last 8" all static.  Tried to get the handle working just slightly.
30#@28" -  Right around 13oz. before wraps and grip work.
Between 1/4" and 1/2" of follow after unstringing and 1/4" of reflex rested.
Heat-treated several times during the whole process.  Handle deflex done with steam.  Tips recurved with the heat gun.  String bridges (CA glued on and soaked wrap) and tip overlays are mulberry.  I tried to go without the bridges but the string kept slipping off the side and torqued the heck out of my alignment.
Paint is black over color spray acrylic (blasphemy!) with a stencil I designed and cut.  Coated the whole shebang with spray spar urethane. 

Critiques appreciated.  Thanks for looking!


(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRunbraced-braced.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRunbraced-braced.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRgripswirl.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRgripswirl.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRgripclose.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRgripclose.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRTips.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRTips.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRlong.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRlong.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRInk.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRInk.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRbracedheld.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRbracedheld.jpg.html)

(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y161/Ishkerbibble02/HDRFD.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Ishkerbibble02/media/HDRFD.jpg.html)


Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: BOWMAN53 on February 09, 2014, 12:57:58 am
Man is this post gorgeous bow day or what.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 09, 2014, 12:59:42 am
For starters, most of us wish you would not make us look so bad. 

Because: 1) Most of us have failed to produce anything that looks that dang smooooooth
2) That same "most of us" now don't dare let our wives/girlfriends/daughters/whatever see that bow or they will expect similar from us.  That's one dark, cold, crowded, uncomfortable doghouse you are putting us all in!

Thanks for raising the bar so high we'll all have to chip in to rent time on the Hubble telescope to see it!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: adams89 on February 09, 2014, 01:46:41 am
beautifull Bow, i bet it's fast! i'm also working on an elm static and i must say i love elm and yours looks great!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Del the cat on February 09, 2014, 03:24:47 am
Nice bow, it has a hint of that Egyptian bow look to it...
Cool
Del
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: nazghul on February 09, 2014, 08:07:46 am
wowww... very impressive! wonderful curves!!!
that is my first post here...     ;)
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on February 09, 2014, 10:04:12 am
That is really cool, and the art work!!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: IdahoMatt on February 09, 2014, 10:11:04 am
Very clean work.  I can't wait to se more of your projects.  I really like it :)
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: dbb on February 09, 2014, 10:26:06 am
Beautiful bow and awesome artwork on it too.
Bet it get you some bonuspoints with the wife  ;D
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Will H on February 09, 2014, 12:42:26 pm
Stunning bow you've made there! Thanks for sharing!!!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: ohma2 on February 09, 2014, 12:53:52 pm
Stunnlng, gracefull, elegant, I could go on ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :o
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: BL on February 09, 2014, 01:10:56 pm
Thanks everyone for the compliments!  You sure know how to make a guy feel like he knows what he's doing.

Bowman53 - It's just my luck I have to post this the same day Marc and Gordon and a few others put up their latest.  I think they are putting the rose-tinted glasses on us all for the day!

JW - Now that's some really high praise!

adams89 - It shoots OK with what I've got, but I need to get her some proper arrows for it.  All I own right now are some big-box aluminum 400's.  Good luck on your static!

Del - I'll be reading up on your site once I hit the yew stave explosion in my front yard.

nazghul - Welcome to the forums!

MDS65 - She is inspiring!

Matt - Hopefully it won't take me another year to finish the next one.

dbb - The smile on her face was worth it.

Will - I've learned so much from the forums I hope I can contribute.

ohma2 - So it suits the recipient.    ;D
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: ajooter on February 09, 2014, 01:17:59 pm
Awesome detail work! Very nice bow...im SURE she loves it!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Badly Bent on February 09, 2014, 01:32:31 pm
Killer bow! Looks flawless from profiles to artwork to finish to smooth tiller, a real standout piece of work. :)
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 09, 2014, 03:21:09 pm
Very nice bow. 

You could do without the bridges by filing a string groove down the center of recurve that finishes where the string leaves the wood.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: burn em up chuck on February 09, 2014, 03:25:09 pm
very very nice indeed

              chuck
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: tallpine on February 09, 2014, 03:28:23 pm
BL, that is one beautiful bow. Looking forward to seeing some more of your work.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 09, 2014, 03:31:31 pm
Apparently everyone likes your work.  I guess we will overlook how you are making us all look bad.  Welcome to the Primitive Archer camp.  Keep posting your work, chip in doing the dishes and other chores, and make yourself comfortable!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: dwardo on February 09, 2014, 03:52:25 pm
Stunning finish work and tiller. Looks very efficient for a light weight bow as it should be.  8)
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: BL on February 09, 2014, 05:34:04 pm
ajooter - The wraps and such were a lot of fun.  I have come to love peeling CA glue off my fingers.  =)

BB - Probably not much actual killing, though.  She's a vegetarian!

Marc - The next one in the works will have a similar but less-pronounced recurve.  I know you've mentioned you don't usually bother with bridges anymore.  I'll do grooves this time for sure.  At least the bridges look schnazzy and were a fun experience to make.

Chuck - Thanks!

tallpine - Thanks!

JW - Thanks again for the warm welcome!

dwardo -   Thanks!  Lots of good references and inspiration around here.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Peacebow_Coos on February 09, 2014, 05:52:51 pm
Real nice profile and love the design on the back that's a special one.  Especially with where the wood comes from, cool deal.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: 4dog on February 09, 2014, 06:29:21 pm
alright 2 ??...1. are ya in the bowtrade....aaaand 2. did ya get my name....beautiful job..nuff said.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: SLIMBOB on February 09, 2014, 07:18:33 pm
Very nice work!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: burchett.donald on February 09, 2014, 08:02:27 pm
  A functioning work of art...
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: catfish john on February 09, 2014, 08:30:22 pm
Super nice ,, and I LOVE that paint job!!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Arrowind on February 09, 2014, 08:42:44 pm
AWESOME!  the tiller looks great the artwork is outstanding!  very very very nice!
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: blackhawk on February 10, 2014, 09:05:52 am
Everything was looking good till I seen full draw....since critique is wanted I'd say your top limb is a bit stiffer than the bottom limb IMO .....I ain't scared of sharing my opinion n being honest ::)
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: BL on February 10, 2014, 06:24:54 pm
Thanks again for the kind words.

Peacebow - This stick took quite a trip.  I got two shorter bows for her cousins out of the same log, and still have some left over.

4dog - Not this time.

Slimbob - Thank you!

Donald - Thanks!

John - I'll consider it worth the extra effort!

Arrowind - I've got nothing on your artwork man!  Thanks for the compliment.

Chris - I've been a little worried about that since my last heat treat and finishing up but don't have my pulley rig set up to get a good look at it.  The bottom limb stayed fresher during tillering for sure with the top taking more set overall.  I tried to counter that with the last heat treat and must have gone overboard.  I've overlaid the brace height picture on itself flipped limb for limb and they line up pretty well, but it's hard to tell with the difference in limb length and the way the limbs held the reflex/recurves slightly differently.  This is my first bow with full recurves and first with deflex in the handle, and half my bow reference bookmarks are your work, so I'll definitely trust your eye on it!  Thanks for the critique!  Can't hardly learn a thing without it.
Title: Re: Elm Deflex-Recurve
Post by: Onebowonder on February 10, 2014, 06:52:43 pm
Just got a look at this bow.  First rate, Sir!  She shall be most happy with it I'm certain.

OneBow