15 or so years ago I planted a couple pecan trees... Divorced, then remarried and last year my wife said "I need you to cut those trees so my flowers have sunshine on the porch"
I split one of them into 4 staves debarked and dried in the shop. I decided to make her a bow, since she once commented "when are you making me a bow? You make them for everyone else..." Well, hello "Sunshine"!
It twisted a bit as it dried, I tried heating it straight and did get a little back. I side tillered a little to make the limbs line up better for the draw.
It's backed with turkey feathers from the bird she killed this year. I sized the bow with Titebond III, had the feathers trimmed and ready to dip in a water glue solution then applied to the damp surface. I then simply polyurethaned 6-8 coats over top.. Looks good to me, we'll see if it holds up?
She had a leather purse that got stained, and was no longer of any value, so I hoarded it for future use! Made the handle wrap and shelf and strike plate covering of it..
Deer antler overlays .
It took about an inch and a half of set, and from the full draw pic looks like the outer limbs aren't bending, it doesn't look like that on the tillering tree, I think it's the angle and trying to get a self portrait with a cell phone... lol
It's 63.5" ntn, 37# at 27", and her birthday present... Since she got me a Stave Press for Father's Day...
