First off, the stats.
75 inches NTN. 38 pounds at 28". 2" wide and 1/2" thick at the fades. 2" wide for a third of the limb length, then tapers down to 5/8"wide, 3/8" thick, at the tips. If you were to put it in a category, I guess it would classify as an American Flat Bow?
This bow is from a long straight stave of Douglas maple, only 2.5" in diameter. Had some real nice natural reflex in it. After I cut it in half with a bandsaw (!) and debarked it, I clamped it down hard onto some exposed studs in my shed outside, and let it dry real good. I pulled it off of the studs, and behold, it was still straight and useable side to side, with the reflex still there!
Since it was only 2.5" in diameter, I decided it was a candidate for decrowning. First time for everything I guess. Put a nice razor edge on the drawknife, and away I went. I didn't find it too difficult, except that the rings don't show up all that great on this maple. I actually used some Rit dye and alcohol to stain the back, just to make the grain pop. I managed to get most of the grain to run parallel, even through some interesting dips and knots. Will I do this again, is it worth the hassle? Ya, probably, I'm a sukker for punishment!
I then set-up sawhorses beside my computer desk, and heat treated both limbs in about 4 hours, while drinking copious amounts of Molson Canadian and playing World of Tanks online. I can kill 4 hours this way, and feel like I have accomplished something, as opposed to standing in my garage with a heat gun, being bored outta my head!
Tillering this 75 inch long beast wasn't all that good, I really struggled this time. The last 3 or 4 bows I made seemed to shape themselves, with minimal tillering. This thing, I just couldn't get the bends to match. I also screwed up right at the get-go, and thinned out the limbs too much, so I lost a bunch of weight. Lesson learned.
Green and black Rit dye, and rubbing alcohol, as stain. Linseed oil and beeswax to finish.
Shot this thing 50 times so far, and it went back to 2 inches of reflex on both limbs after resting about an hour.
May put a nice grip on it....or just leave 'er be......thanks for looking!
Top limb not to my liking....but I'm done!
IMG_3316 by
CampX, on Flickr
My daughter, who is 4'1" tall, pulling it back.
IMG_3283 by
CampX, on Flickr
back of bow, after decrowning.
IMG_3291 by
CampX, on Flickr
big knot near the top nock
IMG_3293 by
CampX, on Flickr
my heat gun set-up, which allows me to drink beer and play video games at the same time (multi-tasking!!!)
IMG_3300 by
CampX, on Flickr
