Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Carson (CMB) on June 16, 2015, 01:35:27 am
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This is my first
true to form English american/english longbow ;). Made from a very special stave of slow growing pacific yew. The stave was given to me by Bob Marshall of Surewood Shafts along with half a dozen other staves in exchange for me helping him make one into a bow. These staves had been in his possession for nearly 30 years, and by his guess were nearly that old when he got them. In addition to being nicely seasoned, it was an extremely clean and straight piece of yew, like no other I have seen.
The nocks are from texan steer. The strikeplate is abalone. I built up the handle and rest with cork, and in an attempt to do something new, I made a liner with a scrap piece of red wool felt. I sewed some embroidery floss around the edge to give the wool a finished look.
At 70" long and with an arc of the circle tiller, the bow draws very smoothly out to 28". I have been off on my shooting lately, probably from shooting too many bows and arrow combos, but with this bow I was shooting respectable groups at 20 with ease. It is very forgiving and has very nice cast.
It is destined for Nottingham England!
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7484-001_zpsc5jneqye.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7484-001_zpsc5jneqye.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7483-001_zpsnutgqgjc.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7483-001_zpsnutgqgjc.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7482-001_zpsymkelsmv.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7482-001_zpsymkelsmv.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7481-001_zpsjoh0abdn.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7481-001_zpsjoh0abdn.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7479-001_zpsk2frqqew.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7479-001_zpsk2frqqew.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7478-001_zpsyxthvtlp.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7478-001_zpsyxthvtlp.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7475-001_zpsdyjutxvw.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7475-001_zpsdyjutxvw.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7473-001_zps0pkvd2mj.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7473-001_zps0pkvd2mj.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7472-001_zpsba7o5v2x.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7472-001_zpsba7o5v2x.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7471-001_zpssuwfvgwa.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7471-001_zpssuwfvgwa.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7470-001_zpsul3mouhl.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7470-001_zpsul3mouhl.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7469-001_zpshasf36wk.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7469-001_zpshasf36wk.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7468-001_zps2irrn8zi.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7468-001_zps2irrn8zi.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7467-001_zpswsamrehx.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7467-001_zpswsamrehx.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7466-001_zpstkdomwzx.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7466-001_zpstkdomwzx.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7465-001_zps0prryfmu.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7465-001_zps0prryfmu.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7464-001_zpsuuh59cru.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7464-001_zpsuuh59cru.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7463-001_zpstdapilew.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7463-001_zpstdapilew.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7461-001_zpsjapkazd4.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7461-001_zpsjapkazd4.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7459-001_zpsg4pxo3ol.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7459-001_zpsg4pxo3ol.jpg.html)
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7447-001_zpse9ohozfp.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery/IMG_7447-001_zpse9ohozfp.jpg.html)
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Nice job carson beautiful pc of wood
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WOW, master Carson that's a clear fine and elegant piece! Congrats that's a masterpiece!
The bend is a dream. All my respect.
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Absolutely gorgeous! Everything about it is perfection.
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Very nice that yew has some great color.
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Beautiful, well done!! Love the color.
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Gorgeous bow.. ELBs are v smooth ain't they...
However I'm afraid you have committed sacrilege by putting an arrow rest on it :o.
You should go and sit on the naughty step...
No archery society I know of allows a rest on an ELB...
Maybe your customer requested it? In which case he should be soundly thrashed >:D
Del
PS. I like the shape of the arrow plate... the MOP looks great.
Nice elegant nocks too.
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I knew Del was going to say that. ;) Beautiful work, love everything about it. :)
Pappy
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Beautiful work as always Carson! I like everything about that one!
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Whew! That's purty.
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Beautiful!
Did you hear about the English archer who got accused of cheating for using an arrow rest at Crecy in 1346?
No?
Neither did I.
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Beautiful wood, beautiful bend and very nice transition on the horn nocks.
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What a beauty! Just looks great.
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That's a beauty, Carson! Nice work.
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Nice job Carson....hard to beat a yew elb shooting wise ;)
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Beautiful bow Carson. I think I'm in love.
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Beautiful!
Did you hear about the English archer who got accused of cheating for using an arrow rest at Crecy in 1346?
No?
Neither did I.
The original post...states in it's first line.
"True to form English Longbow"
Personally I have no truck with rules and regulations and tend to shun formal competition for because of jobsworths and pedants who fuss about such trivia.
When I go field shooting I don't care if my bow is classed as primitive or considered to be some other category, I shoot for the fun of it and I make bows for the fun of it.
No English bows at Crecy would have had arrow rests probably no leather grips or arrow plates either.
Victorian longbows wouldn't have arrow rests either.
I don't actually giveadamn, but having said that.
The bow would not qualify as an ELB anywhere on this planet to the best of my knowledge:- and if it is to be shipped to the UK and used in competiton, it could cause the owner some serious embarrassment if it was noticed.
Some archery organisations actually specify that the leather grip must not be thick enough to act as an arrow rest.
I have had a bow returned because it was considered to have too much reflex to meed the BLBS definition of ELB. This caused me considerable inconvenience as I had to make a replacement bow.
I am in no way decrying the superb workmanship... I'm actually trying to be helpful in a (hopefully) amusing manner.
Maybe I've misunderstood the tone of your response, and maybe you've misunderstood the tone of my original post.
Maybe you've also missed my signature line ::).
Del
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Gorgeous bow Carson, well done. Excellent tiller as well
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Absolutely gorgeous work Carson! The detail work is certainly to your usual high standards.
Del...you'll have to excuse the new member. Even I mistook your humor for a critical jibe once early on. In time, your comical yet enlightened commentary and delivery will be appreciated by this new member as much as the rest of us appreciate it. Josh
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Beautiful job!
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This is IMHO the best looking bow I've ever seen. I love English Longbows and I love yew wood.
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Looks really nice! Very clean looking and a remarkably clean stave.
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Nice bend ;)
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Would have to agree with Del in the sense that it's not an "English" longbow - but it does appear to be a very beautifully made hybrid of English and American styles.
It's got all the class and style of something English, and the functionality and improvement of something made in America ;) >:D
It is, however, exceptionally pretty and a perfect way to showcase a superb piece of wood. I've always coveted that dark red glow of t.Brevifolia as compared to the pale pinky orange of t.Baccata. You guys seem to have brighter, whiter sapwood as well. Or maybe it's something you're doing with the finish...
Either way, stunning bow. Congrats!
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Thanks guys! I am glad you like the bow.
Del, I am glad you pointed that out. That was something the customer and I only briefly discussed, and he said yes to a discrete shelf. I had no idea it was so forbodden to have a rest on an English longbow. I will check with the customer and see if he is aware this could cause some issues for him were he planning on joining longbow societies, etc.
Thanks for educating me Del...just let me know when I can be done sitting in the naughty corner ;)
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Would have to agree with Del in the sense that it's not an "English" longbow - but it does appear to be a very beautifully made hybrid of English and American styles.
It's got all the class and style of something English, and the functionality and improvement of something made in America ;) >:D
It is, however, exceptionally pretty and a perfect way to showcase a superb piece of wood. I've always coveted that dark red glow of t.Brevifolia as compared to the pale pinky orange of t.Baccata. You guys seem to have brighter, whiter sapwood as well. Or maybe it's something you're doing with the finish...
Either way, stunning bow. Congrats!
The heartwood does appear darker in the photos thna it truly is. I was taking the photos in late evening light. I don't know about the sapwood being brighter white, but I did forget to mention the finish consisted of blonde dewaxed shellac flakes dissolved in moonshine, followed by alternating coats of linseed oil and beeswax.
Thanks Will! :)
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shellac flakes dissolved in moonshine
Nice touch! I seem to remember turning a little pale the first time I tried shine
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Moonshine?! Yep, that ain't no English bow ;D
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You can't dissolve shellac in tea >:D >:D
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I say you can give it a bloody good go, old chap. A bloody good go.
If it's "builder's tea" you might be able to. Nice and strong, brewed for ages.
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Carson that's a slick bow with a beauty bend. Nice work.
Personally I always thought English yew had darker heartwood colour. I haven't seen too many fresh bows though. I've cut a lot of pacific yew that was dark brown red, and some very pink. Always bright white sapwood though
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Pretty much all the English yew I've worked with is pale pink or orange. Our yew seems to never quite know where the sapwood is meant to be. Often end up with streaks of heartwood all over the place!
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No English bows at Crecy would have had arrow rests probably no leather grips or arrow plates either.
Victorian longbows wouldn't have arrow rests either.
I don't actually giveadamn, but having said that.
The bow would not qualify as an ELB anywhere on this planet to the best of my knowledge:- and if it is to be shipped to the UK and used in competiton, it could cause the owner some serious embarrassment if it was noticed.
Some archery organisations actually specify that the leather grip must not be thick enough to act as an arrow rest.
I have had a bow returned because it was considered to have too much reflex to meed the BLBS definition of ELB. This caused me considerable inconvenience as I had to make a replacement bow.
I am in no way decrying the superb workmanship... I'm actually trying to be helpful in a (hopefully) amusing manner.
Maybe I've misunderstood the tone of your response, and maybe you've misunderstood the tone of my original post.
Maybe you've also missed my signature line ::).
Del
Del,
'Twas meant in jest my friend.
I understand there are many rules applied to competition in the UK but, while very new to building bows, I am a semi-professional military historian and not new to the military equipment of the era.
I am aware, but far from conversant with the various rulebooks of diverse sporting governing bodies. Rules, I'm afraid, that are based on the particular 'traditional' tastes of a select demographic of archers but not on historical evidence from the 12th-15th centuries for the very simple reason, there is virtually no hard evidence to be had. It's not as though 10% or even 0.001% of the bows of the era survive in attics and sheds in villages throughout the realm.
So, I concede that an archer in modern competition may attract criticism or disqualification for leather handles of too great a thickness, too much reflex, recurved tips, etc. However, an archer of the 100 Years War couldn't have cared less as long as his bow threw a heavy war arrow where he wanted it to go, and the more efficiently it did so, the better.
While the evidence on either case is scant, with none of the hundreds of thousands of longbows of the era surviving to the present day, I personally believe there is credible indirect evidence to support the use of much more reflex and/or recurved tips than would be 'true to form', in many of the warbows of the era. I dare say, if 1,000 of the archers of Agincourt were suddenly transported to an event in England this summer, a considerable proportion of them would be immediately disqualified for one reason or other.
Therefore, 'true to form' is a statement rather open to interpretation and, while I'd agree that an arrow rest is unlikely to have been found at Crecy, as previously mentioned, lack of hard evidence dominates the discussion.
'Within the rules' may be a better phrase.
In any case, it's a beautiful longbow, whatever category it belongs in.
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Very nice bow Carson, looks graceful drawn and at brace. For that matter even at resting profile.
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Ya know, if Carson keeps this up, he's gonna get a reputation.
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Crazy nice work man. Great job
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You can't dissolve shellac in tea >:D >:D
;D
Thanks again fellas for the nice comments.
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Awesome bow Carson!!!!!
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Very nice work and piece of yew. Congrats!
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that`s an excellent Job, congrats
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Thanks Eric, Dantolin, and Hans! :)
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Absolute stunner, and I bet it shoots like a dream
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I don't care if it's English, German, Russian, American, Indian, etc, etc, etc THAT is one of the best bows I've seen in a while! Always love to see your bows bro. You do some seriously awesome work! Thanks for sharing!
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I don't care if it's English, German, Russian, American, Indian, etc, etc, etc THAT is one of the best bows I've seen in a while! Always love to see your bows bro. You do some seriously awesome work! Thanks for sharing!
:) Thanks Arrowind!
Thanks JoachimM
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Also just killer. Super nice.
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I'll have to ask Bob if he is going to hunt with this bow this year. If so, there will be two Echo yew longbows in the high country looking for elk that I know of. ;)
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Thanks Bowmo
Dave, the piece of wood came from Bob but the bow is not going to him :) Him and I are going to work on another stave out of that stash for his bow. This one will be loosing arrows in the Old World.