Aesthetics and more

[DC]

If you look at this picture I've left a little meat around this knot so the left side has a nice curve which looks great to me. But the right side is arrow straight and it kind of jars my eye. I would like to cut away a bit to kind of mimic the left side curve. I realize that with this being a few inches from the tip it's probably a non-issue but how about further into the working part? I would still be leaving the limb wider at the knot but I may cut into a ring or so from the side.
Is it worth the risk just for looks? I've made a couple of bows now that are nice and curvy except for these occasional dead straight spots. They jump out at me every time I see them.

[Pat B]

I wouldn't try to mimic a bulge but you could start the taper to the tip on the right side only. It would center the string on the limb better too.

[akila]

I wouldnt risk it..i would just taper the tip, and thats it. It looks nice like that with that knot there.

[DC]

OK, thanks for that. How about this knot. Just the knot, not the wood around it. It looks solid other than the crack. How would you treat it?  Just for appearance. Would you countersink it a bit so that the knot sat a bit below the surface? Sand it flush? Drill it right out out so I can hang it on a peg . I like the look of them when they're naturally a bit below the surface but I've never tried to duplicate the look.

[Weylin]

I've been tempted by that in the past as well. Here's one way to consider it. The beauty of a selfbow comes from it's simple clean lines and efficiency in form. The form and function are tied together. Every bow is unique because every piece of wood is unique and calls for a different shape to make a graceful, strong and functional bow. If you detract from the function of the bow to enhance the form, in my opinion, you are not really helping the appearance because you, and any other experienced bowyer will see that spot and feel that something is wrong. It won't be as beautiful because you didn't do what the wood was telling you. Ha! how's that for some poetic bullshit. 

[DC]

I thought about that "form follows function" stuff but those straight lines on an otherwise curvy bow just scream at me. How about the knot?

[akila]

Is there the knot intact, or is it cracked in half?? THe pictures is somehow not very clear, and does the knot go thru the entire thickness of the limb? I mean, it goes thru the other side..do you have it the same on the belly side? If it also goes on the other side, it could be a nice efekt to have it completely removed . If its only half way deep, i dont know it its a good ideea to drill it..

[ajooter]

This is my trade bow with an almost identical knot.  I left it the way it was.  A little character is pleasing to the eye I think.

[DC]

Is there the knot intact, or is it cracked in half?? THe pictures is somehow not very clear, and does the knot go thru the entire thickness of the limb? I mean, it goes thru the other side..do you have it the same on the belly side? If it also goes on the other side, it could be a nice efekt to have it completely removed . If its only half way deep, i dont know it its a good ideea to drill it..

It goes right through and it's almost as big on the belly. The crack goes right through also. I was almost joking when I suggested removing it but it crossed my mind when I was soaking it with CA. It soaked up a lot.

[crooketarrow]

 I always add something in the holes. I'll carve something from antler, A carved nose looks great,something carver from bass, jewelry, aquarium rocks different colorsvand sizes. Just carve the outer part of the hole to match.

 I just can't fill it in. You got it use it. That's what I do.

 

[mikekeswick]

I've been tempted by that in the past as well. Here's one way to consider it. The beauty of a selfbow comes from it's simple clean lines and efficiency in form. The form and function are tied together. Every bow is unique because every piece of wood is unique and calls for a different shape to make a graceful, strong and functional bow. If you detract from the function of the bow to enhance the form, in my opinion, you are not really helping the appearance because you, and any other experienced bowyer will see that spot and feel that something is wrong. It won't be as beautiful because you didn't do what the wood was telling you. Ha! how's that for some poetic bullshit. 

Agreed 100%
Listen to the wood and follow the grain.

[Josh B]

Its hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like the end with the knot is wide enough to completely eliminate the knot.  Maybe it's not as wide as it looks though.  Just a thought. Josh

[Dakota Kid]

I recently finished my wife's new bow for the birthday. It had a recessed knothole that I epoxied a piece of cobalt blue beach glass into. I'm wishing now I would have drilled it so you could see the sunlight come through it. I died the wood(HHB) with oranges and reds which compliment the blue nicely. I'll try to get a pic up before I crash out for the night.

[Dakota Kid]

I hope this works photobucket was having a fit tonight for some reason.

[George Tsoukalas]

I think it is ok. But in the last picture you did cut some of the grain lines on the other side.

Selfbows don't have to have straight lines on the limbs. In fact, some should not.

Jawge