Elderberry tribal shorty

[Jodocus]

I made this one to test a sinew backing that is restricted to the top of the crown like a cable. The sinew was put on in three fat layers. (Black) Elderberry is quite soft and spongy, an elderbery bow must be pretty thick. So I figured this way, the sinew would work properly without crushing the wood.

It had a little twist after drying that I steamed out, but while the sinew was curing, it crept back on board and always makes the right limb look somewhat stiff.

I painted it with crushed rock and charcoal.

It became a hard shooting little bow with a nice mesolithic touch to it.

Its 49" tip to tip, weighs 14 ounces and pulls 68# at 26".

[Jodocus]

and the bend:

[Gsulfridge]

Nice bend!!  Who woulda thunk to use elderberry for anything but wine

[TimPotter]

I really like how you did that. Seriously primitive look but well made and tillered.

[blackhawk]

Cool bow.....I made one almost exactly like that but with hhb a couple years ago..it has sinew down the center crown only, and even has the same style nocks,and almost same profile...check it out

https://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27805.0/nowap.html

[BowEd]

Outstanding poundage out of 14 ounces.I like it.

[Badly Bent]

Don't know how some of you guys do it, 26" draw on a 49" bow and you kept the heavy draw weight too. Takes some serious tillering skill for sure. You know, Jon W and Halfeye and now you to name a few.
Love what you did with this one Jodocus, got primitive cool written all over it and she is bending so smooth.
Perfectly dressed up for that primitive look also. NICE!

[Jodocus]

...it has sinew down the center crown only, and even has the same style nocks...l

dang, that idea felt real fresh! 

Thanks for the compliments guys. Badly Bent, I know I'm a long way from your skills still. I'm pretty sure you just have not tried yet! And thanks for the inspirations on the paint!

[NeolithicMan]

So awesome, I gotta try a short bow now for sure. Elderberry must be really compression strong. what other wood might work for a design similar to this?

[IdahoMatt]

Nice job.  Very graceful bend.   

[The Gopher]

what a cool little bow!

[danny f]

that is a serious bend great job

[Dan K]

Sweet little bow!  Hope mine comes out as nice. Great job Jodocus.

[Parnell]

I like that very much!  Like the paints, also.  Very honest looking.

[Carson (CMB)]

Cool design, nice bend, and heavy little bow!