Of Kings and Queens

[SDBurntStick]

This year has been a tough one.  I lost my Dad and as if life wasn't hard enough trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together, along the way, few of them get lost.  I can imagine what the image should look like even through the holes, but sometimes it's hard not to focus on the holes.  With that, I want to share a couple bows.  One is sinew backed Osage with bull snake skins (King) and one is yew backed with rawhide and part of the leftover skins from the first bow as an accent (Queen).  Both tillered to 28" and came in at 58lbs.  Both bows came from billets and are spliced in the handle.  The osage bow is 62" ntn and the yew bow is 66" ntn.  The osage bow much like my dad, strong, tough, and full of energy, while yew much like my mom who has survived him, can take a dent and still fling an arrow with spirit.  I hope you enjoy.  Making bows is a place of solitude for me and I am glad I stumbled into it.  From turning work into function, to exercising creative expression, it's got it all.  I have learned from this forum and really appreciate the wealth of knowledge it has to offer.

I thought it interesting that I had some reishi mushrooms pop out from a maple stump in the yard too.  Seemed only fitting to take a few pictures by the mushroom of immortality.

20230922_174739 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230922_174708 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090711 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090122 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090756 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090415 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090239 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_091417 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_091624 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090700 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

20230924_090253 by Sean Davis, on Flickr

[superdav95]

Gorgeous bows Sean.   Very well executed on both.  I’ve been backing my yew with rawhide as well.  It’s such a soft sap wood.  Bend looks great on both too.  Nicely done. 

[GlisGlis]

awesome bows. Love them both with a slight preference for queen 

[Hamish]

Quality work.

[bjrogg]

Very nice Royal Couple there Sean. They rule.

I’m sorry to hear about your difficulties this year.  I know that feeling and I agree completely with your thoughts about making bows and how therapeutic it is. I’m pretty sure it’s kept me out of the luny bin a time or two. The members of this site have been a blessing for me too.

I lost my dad last year and it was very difficult. The only condolence was that it was the end of his suffering and the beginning of his new life.

Take care and don’t let yourself get too far away from your draw knife.

Bjrogg

[Selfbowman]

Nice bows for sure! Well done.

[SDBurntStick]

Thanks guys.  I have a slight preference for the queen as well.  Definitely a smooth shooter and I backed with rawhide after having my last yew bow do a high speed come apart in cold weather.  I'd like to be able to hunt with it late season or shoot over the winter without fear of it exploding on me lol.

[Will B]

Sorry for your loss. I lost my dad last year and it was tough…. You did an excellent job on both of those bows. Very nice bend.  Thanks for posting them.

[SDBurntStick]

Thanks, and yes it is tough but talking through it helps.  It's an appointment we will all make.

I need to post on here more but I mostly read everyone else's posts.  Hard to squeeze it all in raising a family, working, and making bows lol.

[PaSteve]

Really nice bows. Great work on both. Condolences for your father's passing.

[WhistlingBadger]

Beautiful work.  Sorry for your losses.  I always admire when people turn grief into something beautiful.  Keep up the good work.

[Pat B]

Two beautiful bows with 2 of the best bow woods and you did an excellent job with every bit of them.   

[wooddamon1]

Very nice work!

[Pappy]

Beautiful bows, and loved the story behind them. 
 Pappy

[Kidder]

Those are beautiful bows. I unfortunately share your pain - I lost my dad last year. It never really gets any easier, you just become more accustomed to it. I’m sure your dad would be proud of you and all your amazing accomplishments.