I've been pretty busy these last couple of weeks doing an archaeological dig class as part of my bachelors program. My teacher is a fantastic guy and I felt like thanking him for all the stress involved in organizing a dig school. He's an archaeologist specialized in prehistoric sites and I thought he might like an Algonquin type bow with an arrow. Something to hang on a wall, but something that works nonetheless.
The bow is winter cut Red maple 58"ntn and about 40# at 28". 1 1/8" at the handle and 3/4" wide at the tips. It has taken a whopping 2½" of set, although this is to be expected from such a thin bow of light wood. The last 8" on the top limb are just a little reflexed.
The arrow is a mystery shoot, straightened as much as I can with mystery feathers I found around the dig site. I think two are seagull and the cock feather might come from one of the birds of prey in the area. I knapped the point myself a couple months back and attached it with pine resin. The bindings are artificial sinew.
Both the bow and the arrow are finished with lard. It's a lovely satin finish really.
I wish I had rawhide to make a real string.
