Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Carson (CMB) on May 11, 2016, 01:11:23 am

Title: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 11, 2016, 01:11:23 am
I had a lad from Ireland order a custom bow as a gift for his lassie. I wanted to make a special bow for this lady, so I dug up a pair of glued up billets marked "Ulrich 1978?"  I got these in a batch deal with Dave Doran of Archery Past. Ulrich yew or not, they were surely well seasoned and clearly sister billets with fine grain and matching humps 2/3 of the way out. The one thing of the billets was that the sapwood had been planed flat and nearly taken all off in one spot. This custom bow was slated for a pair of salmon skin backing, so it seemed a perfect match. It was a pleasure working the older yew. The odor of the well aged wood is distinct and pleasant and it works beautifully under a draw-knife. I failed to record the exact length in my notes, but it was shortish at ~62".
I was aiming for 35-40 # at 27". I hit 35# and was satisfied to be within the requested range, then I added the salmon skins and to my surprise, they added nearly five pounds of draw weight to the bow. I might have adjusted the calibration of my scale during this time, but that could only account for 1, 2 at most, of the gained weight. I suppose salmon skin backing would have a proportionately greater weight increase on a lighter bow. Anyway, it came within target range, though the bow is mis-marked at 35#...one of the drawbacks of a wood-burner. It casts a light arrow with great speed and I think the new owner will appreciate that.

Abalone inlay strikeplate
Salmon skin backing with hideglue and silk wraps
Finished with shellac then linseed oil, beeswax, and several top coats of tung oil

Pictures aren't the best...too sunny. Thanks for looking!


Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 11, 2016, 01:14:31 am
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_0_Ulrich_Archery%20Past_Carson%20Brown_zpsxlyvuejn.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_0_Ulrich_Archery%20Past_Carson%20Brown_zpsxlyvuejn.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_01_Carson%20Brown-ring%20count%20yew_zpszeevqour.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_01_Carson%20Brown-ring%20count%20yew_zpszeevqour.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_02_Bow%20shop_zpsxikrfxan.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_02_Bow%20shop_zpsxikrfxan.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_A_Abalone%20Inlay_Carson%20Brown_zpss4ajysgx.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_A_Abalone%20Inlay_Carson%20Brown_zpss4ajysgx.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_Colleen%20Moore_Carson%20Brown_zpsk1ty1xs2.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_Colleen%20Moore_Carson%20Brown_zpsk1ty1xs2.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_B_handle%20sticht%20leather_Carson%20Brown_zpsvji0lonj.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_B_handle%20sticht%20leather_Carson%20Brown_zpsvji0lonj.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 11, 2016, 01:17:25 am
(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_C_zps0svdxicb.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_C_zps0svdxicb.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_D_zps9afirljk.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_D_zps9afirljk.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_D%202_zpsalbym9ia.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_D%202_zpsalbym9ia.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_F_zps0va185sh.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_F_zps0va185sh.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_G_zps5yipbccp.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_G_zps5yipbccp.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_H_zpsqwvxraep.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_H_zpsqwvxraep.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_I_zpsto9yuxdd.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_I_zpsto9yuxdd.jpg.html)

(http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k633/Acer_circinatum/IMG_88Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_K_zpstyebkfog.jpg) (http://s1119.photobucket.com/user/Acer_circinatum/media/IMG_88Echo%20Archery_Yew%20Bow_Oregon_K_zpstyebkfog.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: GB on May 11, 2016, 01:44:12 am
Beautiful wood and beautifully made bow!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Traxx on May 11, 2016, 01:50:37 am
Looks fantastic Carson.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Del the cat on May 11, 2016, 02:16:41 am
Woo, real classy, great figure in that MOP arrow plate.
Del
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: joachimM on May 11, 2016, 02:53:20 am
Very nice bow indeed, I bet you have a satisfied customer.

I'm always curious on how one applies the skin of scaly fishes. I have a lot of pike around here, but wouldnt know how to process the skin. It must be descaled, no?

Congrats on a great bow!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Steve Milbocker on May 11, 2016, 06:44:25 am
Wowser!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Aaron H on May 11, 2016, 09:14:50 am
Now that's the kind of gift I would like to get.  Great work Carson
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: BowEd on May 11, 2016, 10:04:36 am
Yoooooo that abalony strikes the eye nicely Carson.Beautiful bow.Slendor but deadly looking just like a woman.....lol.
On a side note here I had a sinewed black cherry gain some pounds of draw once after copperheads were put on.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Stixnstones on May 11, 2016, 10:20:05 am
sweet!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Bob W. on May 11, 2016, 10:46:19 am
Beautiful work! Very nice.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 11, 2016, 01:13:11 pm
Thanks fellas!
Del, Beadman, it is always difficult to capture the beauty of MOP/abalone in a photo. All of the depth disappears. So I just took a lot of photos of it :)

Joachim, yes, you remove the scales. I use a cabinet scraper and swipe along at an angle into the scales with the skin laid flat on an old cutting board. This is done while the hide is fresh, before air-drying.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: wildwills on May 11, 2016, 01:47:16 pm
Beautiful bow.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Weylin on May 11, 2016, 02:56:11 pm
That turned out to be really lovely. I need to try those salmon skins sometime, they go really well with yew wood. Nice job, bud.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Hans H on May 11, 2016, 03:24:02 pm
that`s a beauty, congrats
Hans
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: dantolin on May 11, 2016, 03:49:09 pm
Nice lovely bow!!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Badly Bent on May 11, 2016, 09:04:47 pm
Sweet bow, beautiful work Carson.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: bubby on May 11, 2016, 11:17:38 pm
Lucky lady😂
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: simson on May 12, 2016, 11:22:29 am
Flawless in every aspect, cannot see something what could be made better. The yew is as beautiful as the work is. Is that leather lacing at the skin joint? Looks great!
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Carson (CMB) on May 19, 2016, 11:49:43 am
Thank you guys for the comments. I have heard from the new owner and she loves it. She has already grown familiar enough with it that she is going to use it in an upcoming competition  :) :)   
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Onebowonder on June 13, 2016, 06:45:59 pm
True Beauty!  OneBow
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Pappy on June 14, 2016, 08:43:21 am
Beautiful bow, she should love that. :)
 Pappy
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: ---GUTSHOT---> on June 14, 2016, 08:59:37 am
Very nice work. I'm sure she is proud of it.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Lehtis on June 15, 2016, 03:53:17 am
Nice bow - congrats. And it would be much nicer w/o that "wart on the nose" - unnecessary arrow self... sorry to say this.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: Will B on June 15, 2016, 07:41:52 am
Beautiful Bow!  I love the salmon skins and the leather handle wrap. 
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: osage outlaw on June 15, 2016, 07:51:13 am
Nice job turning those old billets into a fine bow.
Title: Re: Yew wood ladies flatbow
Post by: SLIMBOB on June 15, 2016, 08:14:22 am
Real beauty.  Nice work as always!