American bison, horn bow w/sinew(pic update)

[Timo]

Lil progress report. Here is a pic of what the skins look like, with scales removed and ready for finish.

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[Timo]

I've never painted a bow before, so this is all new to me. Sat down and thought about what I wanted,did lots of research,and stole some ideas from Tom's bows.

I started with a base coat of white,then layed out my marks,and initialed them so I would'nt end up with a mess. I then painted in the black areas,then finished off with the red. I got tired and my eyes were stressed so I quit for the night.Gonna lay a few yellow dots inside the red bands,so it's not quite done.

Not real sure what all the different colors signify,or the bands, but I am betting they meant something? I'll have to email Tom and maybe he can fill me in.

The more I work on this bow, the more I admire the native americans and how they accomplished what they did.

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[billy]

That bow is lookin really cool!  I like the paint design...looks almost like a damn coral snake...but then it's a different snake on the back...but then it looks like polished horn on the belly....damn...that thing has multiple personalities!  I'll bet that's what the deer are gonna be saying when they see it.  I can hear 'em now... "Wow...look at that thing...what is it?  It kinda looks like a..."  FFFFFFFTTTT  Thump!  "AGGHHH!!  That thing we were looking at just shot me!  Help MArge!  Where the hell are you running off to?  Come back and help me, you useless wench!  Oohh....it's getting dark...I feel so weak......I feel so cold.....I think I'll just lie down right here....."           

[Timo]

To funny there Billy!

You made me wonder about a name though.I wonder what word the lakota used for multiple personalities?

[El Destructo]

I don;t know....but I know that Eddie(Mullet) Parker is .....maazhamegos ag.....in Ojibwa..........

[Dano]

They used to call em, "dog with three heads" 

[Timo]

 I've had the lil bow in the hot box for a week and it only lost 1/4oz in weight.tips the scales at 16.75 ozs. I always hot box my bows for a good period before I seal them and then I start the sealing process imediately out of the box, so the wood is dry. Got a couple coats on the bow today. I should have the finish done this week,then the handle and some more dressings.I'll post some pics later this week I hope.

I love the way the horn looks with finish on it. Almost hate to give it a dulling!

[Timo]

Not much to update. I have the finish done,but work and life have taken front row for a bit.

I plan on doing some work on it tonight,just not quite sure about my handle yet....Maybe this week, we'll get to see this thing finished.?

[Dano]

I wish you'd do a beaver tail handle wrap. I got an air dried tail from Mike Yancey I'm dying to try.

[Timo]

Well if you are dying to try then I guess I could send the bow out to ya?

[Dano]

You could do that, I couldn't promise you'd see the bow again.

[Timo]

Well, I might see it in pictures?

[Dano]

Yep, you might

[GregB]

Just found and read your build-along today...thoroughly enjoyed it! You're quite the bowyer...picked up some good info just reading some of the steps you take working on your bows. I may have to really challenge myself and attempt one of these some day.

Thanks for the build-along, very interesting and informative! Really like the bow, she turned out really nice!

[Timo]

I put up a few finished pics on the bow forum. Already looking forward to the next one.

thanks to all who followed along, and thanks also for the kudos.