Red oak pyramid, help

[tgtmatt]

I just followed a red oak bow pyramid build to try it out, and tweaked it a little. I built it pretty fast and I'm just curious on what you guys have to say. What should I do about the handle? I might glue a riser on and then thin it down in the middle 4". Any ideas?


It is 68" ttt, I just got it pulling 45@28

[Del the cat]

Looks good to me.
IMO the only reason to narrow a grip is to improve arrow flight or compfort.
The only reason to glue on a riser is to stop the bow snapping at the narrowed grip.
Just go with your heart.
Have a read of this blog entry, where I do exactly that on a Hazel bow.
http://bowyersdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2012_08_01_archive.html
Del

[bubby]

I think it's good too, look's like your hand go's around it easy, i'd shoot it as is, Bub

[Pappy]

Nice job,I would probably glue a handle on if it was mine,it is fine like it is but if I was going to shoot it I would probably build up the handle some.I sometimes glue up leather strips and then work it down when it dries. Thats just me,I don't really care for the flat grip,either way very nice work.Tiller looks veryy good. 
   Pappy

[tgtmatt]

So I got a little impatient last night waiting to see what everyone had to say and just went with my best thought. I decided to round the handle and make it more comfortable. It is pretty much bending a little through the handle. I'm afraid if I glue a rise on it wont stick with the glue because of the bend. Any ideas for a good beautiful backing? I'm making this for my dad for his birthday which is Tuesday and I really want it to look like all the beauties I see on here.

[autologus]

Personally I would not back it with anything, I would stain it and put several coats of Polyurethane or Tru Oil on it.  Then a nice handle wrap and call it finished.  Red Oak has beautiful grain and would look nice stained and sealed.

Grady

[tgtmatt]

Okay, What is everyones favorite stain color? I have a bunch of different ones. And do you think I should glue a riser on for safety?

[bubby]

take some scrap from the bow sand it good and try different stains till you find one you like, make shure you put your sealer on the test as well cause it will make a difference in the finish, Bub

[BOWMAN53]

I didn't glue on a riser on my red oak pyramid and i regretted it. Glue it up bro.

[tgtmatt]

I really don't like not having a close to center shot bow, but that is probably because the arrows I have now are not spined as good as they should be. I think I'm going to glue up a riser, should i put it on the front or back?

[bubby]

if it's bending in the handle, and buy the pics it is, a glued on riser will most liklly pop off, do like pappy said and glue on some several strips if leather and shape your grip, this works great,you can also use cork

[tgtmatt]

I think I may use some cork. I just shaved it down more the handle because it wasn't to comfy and I'm happy about it. We'll see how it works out. Where can I get some cork? I've seen it online but I want to see if I can get it around here because I'm trying to complete the bow before tuesday.

[ionicmuffin]

go to your local crafts store, they should have sheets of cork

[tgtmatt]

Thank you, I'll post the bow when it's all finished to see what you guys think. If it's worthy for a gift

[bubby]

Dude you built it from scratch, your dad will love, trust me