Primitive Archer

I visited Eddie and Kathy about a year or so ago at their new homestead. I've known them for years. Always a good time and both are great folks and hosts. They have done a lot with their new place.

Robert, yeah that’s exactly what I did, I just super glued them on. I got a little crack under the nock the first time I braced it so I’m going to give them a bit of a sinew wrap under them, didn’t want the string in the way. Also got the double string wjth a pencil in it so I can just twist it up as it reflexes.

Well, I did it! Looks a right mess at the moment 😂

So I did one limb then the other, not sure if that was the best way, next time I think I will do a row at a time maybe. It felt like a lot of sinew to get on in one go, and I got a little confused about where to put some of the bundles as I didn’t keep them the same width as I spread them out. Over all I think the placement is fine. I had two short bundles left over which I couldn’t work out where to put so I broke them into smaller bits and I was able to use them to fill in a couple of little gaps

The glue was much stickier than I expected, I think it’s a thicker mix than I’ve seen people use before and I struggled to get it as hot as I wanted in the slow cooker, strange as it was getting too hot last night. I under up heating each bundle infront of the halogen heater after soaking in the glue.

It was more difficult that I thought rearranging the bundles once they were on the bow, the glue tacked up faster than I thought it would. Whether that is because of the temperature of it or just how it is I don’t know. I think a combination of both but I had the heater there to warm it up when I thought it needed it. I’ve got a layer of plastic wrap over it and then wrapped with with strips of T-shirt, the T-shirt didn’t behave very well so I’m going to the shop to get some bandages.

Once the bundles were down I’d say I had 30 seconds to a minute to move them around before they were pretty well where they were staying. I actually removed the first bundle after putting it down as it cooled way too quickly, I don’t think the bow or the glue were warm enough which is when I get the heater out.

That looks awesome.

I know a bowl turner in Vermont. His name is Dave Brown (might have a website) and he's an avid fly fisherman. A while back he started making these landing nets like these and they are just gorgeous. He uses steam and a few thin layers of contrasting wood.
Looking forward to seeing this one, they have been on my mind. Pretty inspiring!

That's looking great!

I like your system for reverse bracing it. Looks like you glued some wood at the tips on the belly side to tack on some length with extra nocks  to have access to the whole bow when it's reverse braced? Good thinking. I will try that next time.

Brilliant!

No worries, I’ll go back to 46 grams and I’ve got some processed ready to go for the next one. I have no reference for how much sinew will give how much extra draw or draw weight so I’ll start there and take my notes and then work from that for the next one. Mostly I just want more draw length for now.

I’ve got my bundles re sorted. I weighed them out this time which was much better and quicker, 2 grams per long bundle and 1 gram per short bundle.

My plan is to put a centre strip down with 1.5gram  bundles on the tips, the run a strip of short strands along both edges and then fill in the gaps with long bundles. Keeping it slightly heavier along the crown and around the middle. I’m going to do one heavy layer. The strands in the  bundles vary a fair bit in length which should make for a good overlap