Sinew backed Osage: Paint with a modern twist. :)

[Cloudfeather]

Just got in a fresh stave and I'm like a little kid on Christmas again. lol. Going for another Lakota style bow with sinew. This stave is a little on the short side, 53 1/2", but I think I can make a nice little hunting bow from it. Now, if I can only score me some pike or muskie skins, I'll be really in the money.

[Matt A]

i've tried northern pike skins it's difficult. there's zero colors under the scales like carp, but i've heard if you glue them on and dab something like super glue on all the scales they'll stay in place.
good luck!

[tom sawyer]

How much actual working limb is in that design?  Sinew is great stuff your last bow looked good.

[Cloudfeather]

I'll have to see what the skin looks like when and if I catch a pike. The working limb is only half the distance from the fade to the tip. 11 3/32 " on the bow. It'll be a slow and meticulous tillering process, I assure you. Lol

[H Rhodes]

That's a great looking stave.  I can't wait to see how it progresses. 

[Danzn Bar]

Sure would like to see a full draw pic of the frist Lakota style bow,    Like hrhodes said looking forward to the progress on the new stave.
DB

[Cloudfeather]

There's a full draw pic on the thread I posted with my first bow. Upper limb ended up a tad stiff, but it shoots well with very little hand shock. I decided to leave it be. 

[Cloudfeather]

She's coming along nicely. My only worry is the knot in the static portion of the one limb. It's right in the fade, so I'm not sure if there's cause for concern or not. I might just wrap it with sinew when I back it.

[Cloudfeather]

Got her all sinewed up a few days ago. Still waiting for it to cure more before I mess with the tiller. Though, I did mix some osage dust with wood glue to fill in the crevices. gonna sand it down to a smooth finish on the back so I can paint it up nice when it's tillered and ready to go.

[DarkSoul]

I like those recurves She's got a nice side profile now.

What glue did you use for the sinew? I've never done a sinew backing myself, but I think yours looks a bit messy...?

[Cloudfeather]

I use Tightbond III myself. It's always a bit messy, but it cleans up just fine when all is said and done. The sinew develops little hills and valleys in it as it cures and shrinks, so I just mix sawdust with the glue and fill it in to be sanded down later.

[Cloudfeather]

So, I've got the tiller mostly in, I believe. My only issue is a slight deflex off the handle, right at the upper limb. (Evident in photo). I'm going to try to heat it and put a slight reflex off the handle to try and remedy the issue. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[toomanyknots]

That might help, but you might wanna just try to fix it by tillering it to bend even. Looking good though. Be careful that does not become a hinge!

[DarkSoul]

(...) I'm going to try to heat it and put a slight reflex off the handle to try and remedy the issue.

Be very careful with that. The glue does not withstand high temperatures well.

Are you sure the problem is deflex? You can only see deflex or reflex in an UNbraced bow. Judging from the pictures, the problem could as well be poor tillering...The pics earlier in this topic do not show any significant deflex...maybe only ½" or so.

[Cloudfeather]

Manage to fix it somewhat with some heat bending. Just have that tiny stiff spot to tiller out on the lower limb and she should be golden.