Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: GB on June 12, 2016, 01:35:02 am

Title: Apple branch bow
Post by: GB on June 12, 2016, 01:35:02 am

A few months ago, one of my neighbors did some trimming on his apple tree and I wound up with four billets.  This bow is from the two narrower branches.  It's 68" tip to tip and came in at 40# @ 27", about 5 pounds lighter than I was aiming for.  Did a little too much rasping under one of the knot humps and the rest of my tillering was all playing catch up to that weak spot.  I have some light arrows that shoot nice through it, though.  I was hoping to keep the limbs a little wider, but the most I could get was 1 1/2".  I added a piece of maple to the handle to get enough thickness and wrapped it with cherry bark.  The underlays at the tips are cherry bark, too.
This is the first bow I've made from apple and I really like the wood.  It reminds me of maple.  Hope to make another one this fall with the other set.
Thanks again to the guys who gave me sealing and drying advice.

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow7_zpsceeqwp1s.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow6_zpse01u0j9z.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow3_zpssi20fqve.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow5_zpscdvixwai.png)

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: GB on June 12, 2016, 01:41:24 am

Last of the pictures:

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow4_zpsfbghlaph.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow2_zpsbhvwwp3f.png)

(http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo207/okdoak/applebow1_zpsdtlyowee.png)

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: tattoo dave on June 12, 2016, 07:00:01 am

Great looking bow GB! I have yet to try apple wood, but will be soon I hope. You did a fine job with it!

Tattoo Dave

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Stixnstones on June 12, 2016, 07:04:37 am

thats a beaut for sure, nice work.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: DC on June 12, 2016, 11:00:03 am

Nice bow, nice bend  :) :)

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: mullet on June 12, 2016, 11:12:10 am

I like it, good looking bow

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Hans H on June 12, 2016, 02:01:05 pm

+1,   Hans

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Redhand on June 12, 2016, 02:06:01 pm

That turned out pretty nice   Congrats

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: bradsmith2010 on June 12, 2016, 02:08:32 pm

that turned out great,, congrats,  :)

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Knotty on June 12, 2016, 02:23:35 pm

Wow I loved it! Beautiful work , well done, reminds me of a primitive bow I made once.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: GB on June 12, 2016, 03:52:56 pm

Thanks for the encouraging words, guys.  Most of the bows I make are from boards, hickory or bamboo backed.  So I was pretty excited to try one like this and I learned a few things; drying green wood and making a W splice.  And tillering around knots and humps. :o
Oddly enough, I have two different neighbors who cut down small buckthorn trees recently.  So I have 3 buckthorn staves and a set of billets drying, along with the apple  billets.
Thanks again!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: k-hat on June 12, 2016, 04:29:19 pm

Very nice GB.  Beautiful work!  I tend to leave the knots a little heavy till later in tillering process for that reason.  Still a respectable weight and I bet she's a pleasure to shoot!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Aaron H on June 12, 2016, 06:35:26 pm

 Now that's cool, great job

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Mounter on June 12, 2016, 09:23:52 pm

NICE!!! My neighbor just lost a large apple tree a couple weeks ago in a storm. I should probably hurry over there and see if there's anything worth saving.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: loefflerchuck on June 12, 2016, 10:40:47 pm

Beauty!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: GB on June 13, 2016, 02:23:19 am

Thanks again guys!
@Mounter...If you can salvage anything around 36" you can always splice the billets.  I think it's great bow wood.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: GlisGlis on June 13, 2016, 04:44:39 am

great looking bow!!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Pappy on June 13, 2016, 05:26:01 am

Nice job GB. :) Love the handle wrap and the character in that bow. :)
 Pappy

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: BowEd on June 13, 2016, 08:31:37 am

Cool......First apple wood bow I think I've seen.Nicely done.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: Will B on June 13, 2016, 01:07:55 pm

Thats a great looking bow.  Nice job!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: lostarrow on June 16, 2016, 10:43:39 am

Wow, looks great!

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: SLIMBOB on June 16, 2016, 06:24:50 pm

That's a beauty!  Nice work sir.

Title: Re: Apple branch bow
Post by: jandersson on June 16, 2016, 09:20:30 pm

Another beautiful bow you made there!!