Mulberry Bush Bow

[gmc]

Alright, been on the injured list for a few months and just now being pulled back into action for another assignment, otherwise I'd be just looking at everyone else's bows because its easier  . 

A very fine gentlemen ask for a bush bow similar to the one I posted a few months back. I am pretty close to finishing the bow and took a few pictures along the way since my one bow a month has turned into "one every now and then".

 Here's where I started with this bow. I had a nice big chunk of red mulberry harvested in March of last year, large tree of about 14 inches in diameter.



I always remove the sapwood and heat correct early on if needed, there was a little work to do with this stave. I used a dry heat to take the deflex out of the one limb.



Here's the stave after heat correcting.



I then chased down two more rings to build the back of the bow with removing more mass on the belly. This bow will be short for its draw length so it needs a good thick ring to support the back.


 

[n2huntn]

looking good, hope you get better too

[ohma]

keep them pics comin.

[ken75]

looks like an excellent start , glad to see you posting again!

[NTProf]

I love the background of the last picture - looks like a Christmas card setting!

[Pat B]

As said above, you have made a good start. Just take your time and keep posting pics.

[Eric Garza]

What bow dimensions and draw length are you aiming for?

[bcbull]

looks good so far  love thaqt maulberry  brock

[George Tsoukalas]

Looking good. With that reflex it should be quick. Jawge

[gmc]

Thanks, guys.

I'm still catching pictures up. Here's the bow off the tiller tree, I did manage to hang on to a little reflex.  This little bow is doing a lot of work for its length and draw weight. The bow is 58-inches ntn pulling 60 lbs. @28.5. I originally had it tillered for 67 or so but decided to take it down a little at the last minute. Here's the flat profile of the bow before I install the handle wrap.



Here's the front profile of the bow. I've been working with this design for about a year now. It's bends slightly through or up to the handle. I went a little wider this time to 1 5/8 being a tad conservative. Because of the extra width I will need to build up the handle area on the belly, normally I don't do this. The bow finished at a mass of 15.3 oz..

 

Jawge, it is pretty quick. 

I will post some more pictures shortly.

[Keenan]

GMC, that is looking great. Love that style and with the slight bend through it should be a great bush bow. Profile is excellent Looking forward to seeing that thing bent.   Hey what part of Kentucky are you in. Lulyn's sister lives in Borea. So maybe on one of our trips down there we can hook up for some shooting.

[gmc]

Thanks, Keenan.

I live about 2 hours from Borea (122 miles) but it may be a lot closer depending on which way your traveling in to Borea. I live in Clay City, about 40 mins. from Lexington and if your traveling I-75 it would be much closer. The next time you're traveling send me a pm and I will take a day off work or whatever it takes to string bow with you. Maybe I will have a decent bow to shoot by then with some able arms to string one. I was really hoping to keep this one but I got a feeling its headed for the west coast. 

[Pat B]

Nice simple design. I am working on a locust bow similar to this one but mine is 65" long. I like the cut in handle area.
  Are your fades 2" to 3" on either side of a 4" handle?

[gmc]

Thanks Pat.

Locust is fine bow wood for these parts.

I use 3 inch fades with a 4 inch handle. But those fades are going to work right up to the handle. The inner 3rd is held pretty straight buy design because I want to hold that area just a little stiffer even thou it bends. I like somewhere between elliptical and circular tiller with this design. The 3 inch fades really open up the sight picture for the archer, too.

Yes, very simple design. 

[NTD]

VERY nice bow GMC, I really like your bows!