Turkey Backed Board - New Pics

[finefirewood]

It's been a while since I've been able to work on bending some wood, but I've managed to get this one in the works. It started life as a red oak board, but is (slowly) turning into a bendy stick. I got inspiration to back it with turkey feathers from straightarrow, and it in no way compares to his. I had a buddy donate wings and partial breast feathers from 4 turkeys this spring, so I have lots of raw materials!

Here is a teaser pic. It's 70" n-n, and pulls about 50# @ 28". I haven't measured the lbs accurately yet, but it's in that neighborhood. Typical pyramid, 2 1/2" at the fades, narrowing to 1/2" at the nocks. I added wrap-around nock overlays out of maple. I haven't seen it done, and I like the contrast. I'll add more detailed pics of the nocks soon.

Thanks to everyone posting inspiration and how-to's. I haven't posted much, but have read almost every day!

FF

[Knoll]

Turkey feather backing?  More pics.  More pics.   

[bradsmith2010]

lookin good

[Danzn Bar]

Looks good from here ............... quit being such a tease, show us some more pics.....   pleeeeeeese 
DBar

[soy]

Love turkey backed bows almost as much as I love turkey coated arrows

[straightarrow]

Thanks for the compliment FF. It's turning out really awesome... Can't wait to see more pics!!

[Blaflair2]

I had plans to do that once. The guy that posted the one I got the idea from had his finish all crack to heck. So hopefully urs holds. It's very pretty

[NeolithicMan]

Would love to see more to see more of this bow! Especially the outer limbs and tips

[finefirewood]

Here are a few more pics of the in-progress bow. First is a little closer to view of the backing. It's no where near perfect, and I think I like it as it looks more like where they came from on the bird.

Second is the tip. I'm still trying to decide what to do as far as shaping the final profile of the tips. I plan on an inlay between the tip and limb along the side, so that's why there is a bevel/gap there.

I'm still deciding on the handle wrap, but I have an antler base ready to go for the arrow rest base, with a turkey feather rest for the arrow to sit on. I plan on using squirrel tail for the silencers on the string. I like to keep things natural where possible! No place for plastic on a primitive bow!

Thanks for all the encouragement and comments. It really means alot coming from the group here!


FF

[Danzn Bar]

FF,
Looks real good....what type of material did you use to set the feathers with and what type of final finish is over the feathers??

 I've done a couple feather backed bows, one with very good results and the other with not so good results.  I made the mistake of using a softer finish/glue under a harder finish coat.

DBar
 

[wildman]

That is way cool, great camo with the feathers.

[hunterbob]

That is awesome.

[Chad]

This looks great! Great natural camouflage. I didn't know what to do on my rawhide back maple but I think I do now!