46" American Elm/ 42# @ 26" / Eastern Woodland

[half eye]

Just finished tillering out this little elm bow. The stave had pretty cool "w" at the grip area. So I made it centered on that. Tillered it out and ya know I usually leave the wood "as is", but this had one limb refexed in the outer 1/3 and the other was sort of flat with a deflexed outer foot.  So after tillering I steamed in some 6" reflexed ears cause the bow was light, went from 39# @ 26 up to 42# after the steamed tips.

My major mistake was doing the elm right after the 2 ironwood staves so by hackin it to those rough dimensions the elm came in too light for my liking. Shoots real smooth and easy, and has decent speed with some of my 5/16" birch (370 grains/about) but the 650/700 grain huntin arrows slows it down some

Allmost forgot, the bow is 1-1/8 wide and tapers to 1" tips and weighs 7 ounces with the grease/pitch finish and it's string. enjoy the photo's fellas, comments allways welcome.
rich

[Keenan]

Nice little bow Rich. I have done the same with not thinking of the wood denisities before roughing out.

[bubby]

nice one rich, man you get more good bend out of a short unbacked bow than anybody, Bub

[Jodocus]

Very nice! That bow is LIGHT... 

Do I get it right, you steamed one of those reflexes, while the other is grown? Did you loose much of the steamed reflex? Heat treat it?

This is a lovely little bow, the bend is impressive.

[Hrothgar]

Nice bow Rich, excellent tiller as always. I need to 'learn' you the 'pinch grip' 

[Almostpighunter]

Awesome tiller and wonderful bow Rich!

[burchett.donald]

   Unbelievable bend...That bow would be a joy to carry in the woods.
                                                              Don

[PEARL DRUMS]

Rich pull that little sucker to 26" and snap a pic. I wanna see it! I love seeing shorty bows bent way past half their length.

[Traxx]

Rich pull that little sucker to 26" and snap a pic. I wanna see it! I love seeing shorty bows bent way past half their length.

This posts leads me to a question,that i have had for some time,for you ultra short selfbow guys.

Realistically,How long of a lifespan,do you guys expect of these bows,being used at those type draws and shot often?Im not being critical here,this is a serious inquiry of your experience and something ive often wondered about.Thought id finally ask the question.

[Dictionary]

Good question Traxx. I am also curious. Half eye's bows are exceptional.


What is your tillering setup like half eye?

[lesken2011]

Looks like you cranked out another one, Rich!!

[Don]

Looks good rich. And you got good draw length.

[half eye]

Thanks for the comments fellas it's appreciated.

As far as the longevity goes I haven't had any blow from use. I've blew some up before I changed how I tiller them. Just because this bow is capable of 26" of draw doesn't mean I'm gonna max it out every shot. My normal draw is 25 inches (with reg string grip) and about 23" with the secondary grip. The photo I posted I didn't remember to overdraw the darlin so I reshot the pic.

Hrothgar: the secondary pinch is as close as this old cripple is gonna get

Pearl Drums, took pics just for you.....I dont lie, If I say it will go 26 them it will.....but here's your proof, hopefully it satisfy's ya.

Dictionary, be glad to tell ya how I tiller. Send me a PM  or email me at rousseau.rd@att.net
here's the pics
rich

[bubby]

talk about grip it and rip it!!!

[burchett.donald]

    String angle past 90 degrees on that one... Wow way to go Halfeye!