Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: dkrotenberg on October 24, 2015, 04:15:35 pm

Title: New bow made
Post by: dkrotenberg on October 24, 2015, 04:15:35 pm: Just finished my shortbow, made from +7 years old danish female yew. It had the sappwood reduced about 1/4". It was not steamed, but worked around knots at both ends. Nock-nock lenght 58½" pulls 53# at 28", Strung with 3 mm commercial maritime tar line (hemp/wood tar), whipped with scraps from broken string (waxed linnen).
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: dkrotenberg on October 24, 2015, 04:21:09 pm: Some close up shots.

Now I will lin oil it, and beeswax it afterwards, and add a Little scrap of leather to the back, where the string touches, as the Wood is already markedly depressed there.

it was quite a bit of Work, reducing sapp, and getting around those knots. It ended up with a bit of a propellar twist in upper limb. Knot in one limb just fell out, so now it is a holy bow ;)
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: riverrat on October 24, 2015, 04:53:10 pm: looks great. Tony
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: bubby on October 24, 2015, 04:58:03 pm: Nice bend, i like the hunters cowl too
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: rps3 on October 24, 2015, 05:09:48 pm: Looking good.
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: George Tsoukalas on October 24, 2015, 05:46:15 pm: Very nice bow! I like it. Jawge
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: PlanB on October 24, 2015, 05:50:43 pm: Cool!
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: GB on October 24, 2015, 05:59:41 pm: Yew is such pretty wood. Great looking bow!
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: bowandarrow473 on October 24, 2015, 07:47:50 pm: Amazing looking bow, very well executed!
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: osage outlaw on October 24, 2015, 08:52:51 pm: Very nice work.
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: Jared C on October 24, 2015, 11:24:00 pm: Amazing bend! Great job!!!
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: Weylin on October 24, 2015, 11:25:17 pm: I like it! you got a nice bend out of that and I like the bare, natural materials approach.
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: wizardgoat on October 25, 2015, 01:13:38 am: Cool lookin bow, and what a nice piece of yew
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: chamookman on October 25, 2015, 04:05:56 am: Well done, very nice ! Bob
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: Del the cat on October 25, 2015, 04:53:41 am: Great tiller, nice bit of character.
Love the medieval look clothing :).
Del
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: dkrotenberg on October 26, 2015, 05:00:39 pm: Thx, all.

I have shot it for a few days, and it holds up still. Still draws 53# at 28".

Tonight I finished coating it. It got several layers of virgin linseed oil, through some days, and this evening i Rubbed it with a mix of 3/4 beeswax(Bought in shop) and 1/4 pine sapp (collected in Jutland). I rubbed it in with my hands only, wich took some of my calluses away, wich I got when making the bow. It reppels Water well, and after a short while, does not feel sticky. It darkens the Wood somewhat. I find this coating to be more hostorical than shellack, wich was not in common use until the after the medival period. Shellack of course is better, almost as good as modern varnish.

Btw. Notice that the quil of the cock feather is left longer, it extends to the nock, and I can thereby feel how the arrow must lie on the string, without looking. That is why I dont use cockfeathers of another colour.
Title: Re: New bow made
Post by: OTDEAN on October 26, 2015, 06:49:33 pm: As a re-enactor, first off I want to say that is a great outfit mate! That really was a beautiful bow. I love the fact you have used an authentic finish. Bravo! You should be proud with that beauty. Look after it.

Dean.