This journey started last November from a long board of purpleheart that yielded 5 potential self bows. All of the first 3 broke after I had all them at a desirable draw weight (in this case I was shooting for anywhere between 45-55lbs ) at a draw length of 28". When it comes to self bows, especially ones that I am not keeping for myself, I like to make sure the bow can be drawn at least 2" above the goal draw length. I know this isn't the "proper" way to make a bow, but I have always put safety first. My mentality is if it doesn't break at 30" draw, then it (most likely) won't break at 28". Anyhow, the tease of the purpleheart was its ability to hold together at 28" but pretty much failed after about 5-10 draws to 30".
I was making the bows per TBB 1 which recommends that a self flatbow of purpleheart at 65" should have a width of 1 5/8" for a draw weight of 50lbs. Unfortunately for me this formula didn't seem to be working so in a fit of "brilliance" (actually ignorance combined with intense frustration and desperation as father's day approached) I decided to take a shot at the fourth bow widening it to 2" and combining certain aspects of the Modoc Indian style in the fades between the handle and the tips. I am no engineer, so why it worked is beyond me, but the result was this weird "hybrid" that looks like an American Flatbow and a Modoc Indian bow had a baby.
The bow is 65" (63" ntn), pulls 53# @ 28" (can be drawn to 31" but I stopped doing that after I gave it 100 pulls) and has diamondback rattlesnake skin on the back for natural camo in case I can ever get my father (gift to him for father's day) to come hunting with me.
What happened to the 5th bow you ask? It is currently rough cut and floor tillered in 100% Modoc Indian style. Someday I'll pick it back up when I feel like experimenting again. For now, I am going to give my hands a break and enjoy the moment.
Hope you all enjoy too.
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