My first bow is complete 7 pics

[8up]

Its Hop Hornbeam (ironwood) pulls 40# at 26" It could have used a little more time be tillered but I didn't want it to come in at less than 40#. I backed it with chicken snake I skinned myself. I made the tip overlays and arrow tip tassel ends from whitetail antler. I went with a black grip and strike plate and laced it with 3 pieces of black & white serving thread braided together. Tell me what you think good and bad.......Ron

[Gordon]

Wow, that really turned out nice. Hard to believe that's your first one. Congratulations!

[FlintWalker]

 Super nice lookin bow!! Is Hop horn beam the one with the smooth bark that looks like it has muscles or is that just Hornbeam ? What kind of glue did you use for the skins?  SW

[8up]

Gordon & Saw Filer thanks for the Compliments. Saw Filer from what I've read it has a rough bark.

I want to say that even though I put the labor and picked the cosmetics I can NOT take full credit for it. Pappy and the guys at the Tennessee Classic and the people on this GREAT !!! board were the brains behind it. Without the knowledge and wisdom you all share so freely it would not have been Possible. Thank you ALL very much......Ron

[jignfrog]

nice first bow. I like that snake skin. The tassels are pretty cool also.

Ron

[mullet]

  Man that's a real pretty bow, great job! On the next one ,scrape a little more about midlimb to the last 4".The top limb looks like it wants to hinge on you.I wish my first bow looked like that.Hell,I wished my first one stayed in one piece.

[8up]

Mullet thanks for the input. I was afraid to play with that knot about a foot from the tip on the top limb. I will hopefully continue to learn. I am looking for a new stave now.

[8up]

What kind of glue did you use for the skins?  SW

I stained the back of the bow darker and then used Tight Bond II...Ron

[Justin Snyder]

You did a pretty good job.  It turned out beautiful. Justin

[8up]

Thank you Justin, Now to find my next victim 

[medicinewheel]

certainly a nice bow!

frank

[Dustybaer]

very nice bow, ron. i love the way the skins came out.  and i can only confirm what you said about the folks at the TN Classic.

[DanaM]

Nice first bow 8up, nothing to do but get better and better.

Iron wood is hophornbeam sawfiler  has scaly bark.

Dana

[a finnish native]

nice bow. I agree with what mullet said about the tillering, but my first bow has a bad tiller also so don't worry. with a bow that draws 40# and is that long it is unlikely to break. the handle is cool.

[George Tsoukalas]

Wow! Very nice, indeed. I would never touch this one. But since you asked,  both limbs need to bend more mid limb on. Presently, all the bending is happening just off the fades. Bending should start there and increase as you go towards the tips. Keep up the good work. Jawge