So I made a little hickory bow

[John Scifres]

I didn't record any of the prelim work but the bow is 69" NTN, 1-1/4" for half the limb tapering to 1/2". Looking for 40-45 at 28".
At this point it was 43# at 28", maybe 1" of follow right off the string. It started with 1-1/2" of reflex. It's decent hickory, cut as a small tree last year, taken to near bow dimensions and been drying in a reflex form since. It seemed dry.  The plan is to heat-treat after tillering.

https://youtu.be/5tDXvPD3IP8

It's a little stiff in the outer thirds and I had a stubborn stiff spot midlimb on the right (upper limb).  I gave it about 20 scrapes and here's what happened.

https://youtu.be/RlCoazYoRjk

Still about the same.  20 more scrapes.

https://youtu.be/ie4KMY6oNyE

Getting better.  Maybe 10 more scrapes in the same spots.

https://youtu.be/CN5xZEtSAew

Left (lower) limb looked pretty good to me but I wanted to finesse that stiff spot on the right.  10 more scrapes.

https://youtu.be/7VgOgezfYu0

Not bad, maybe a touch more.

https://youtu.be/6otxPXV1n3c

That's about as good as it's gonna get on the tree.  Off to toasting:

https://youtu.be/27y_u6nsNfA

I gave it three days and then got it back on the string and pulled it by hand.  She gained 7# and is at 50# at 28" now.  She's 46# at 27", my draw length.

https://youtu.be/JiBpgsZoqT8

I'll shoot her in some and see how it goes.  Feels really good just drawing her.

[Chippintuff]

I'm not a bowyer yet, but it looks good to me.

WA

[loon]

Is nice. Didn't have to pull it so much on the tree when it was bending too much near the fades, not enough in the outer limbs. But if it didn't take set or if it just shoots sweet with no handshock, you're good.

There's been discussion by the mods about how links are forbidden if they might have ads from those not paying PA for ads, but you could wrap them in [ code ] tags. It's kind of a grey area though, if those ads are not archery related... (you're most likely fine.. just in case..)

[John Scifres]

Thanks.

Loon, ads?

[loon]

ie if youtube has ads...

[John Scifres]

Oh. I see.  I don't think my YouTube has ads. At least it never does when I look at them.

[mwosborn]

Bending pretty nice John.

[George Tsoukalas]

Looks good, John. Brings back memories. Jawge

[ty_in_ND]

Thanks for sharing your progress with us!  Looks like it'll be a pretty sweet bow.  I know the sapwood doesn't smell nearly as nice as the heartwood, but toasting the limbs most have made your shop/garage smell great!

[rps3]

Good to see. Now I have to go sharpen my scraper after watching yours cut.

[John Scifres]

Thanks all for the nice comments.  I haven't made a hickory bow in probably 15 years.  I forgot how nice it is to work.  I love osage but man does it fight you compared to whitewoods.

I put a black dye on it to night.  It looks pretty cool.  I get some visuals up tomorrow. Got a knarly osage stave out of the attic and chased a ring.  I love chasing rings!  Very therapeutic.

[loon]

You used a stave? Or a board?
Makes me want to work with hickory

[John Scifres]

This started out as the other half of a small tree.  Here is the text from a post on TG from last year about it.  I sort of forgot I posted this somewhere before:

I am helping a young man out with his 4H Senior Project to build a wooden selfbow. This weekend, we met at my family's lakehouse in Western IN to find a suitable tree. We ended up with a 6" hickory that yielded enough for 4 bows, 2 from the butt end and 2 from the next 6' section. Michael and I split the butt end and he is working one stave while I am doing the other half. We are doing this instruction remotely since he lives an hour away.

Here is my half, peeled of the bark, coated with wood glue, and ready to start. The first goal is to get it down to the smallest size I am comfortable with to let it start to dry. I start by squaring off the ends.





Measure and cut to overall length of 68".




Mark Center from end to end.


Mark centerline along the entire length using a weighted string.

[John Scifres]

Lay out and cut the bow.







Scribe a line for a 5/8" thickness.

[John Scifres]

Cut to thickness. Carefull not to go to deep on the bottom. Angle the stave a bit as you cut.





Clamp it in reflex to a strong board and then wrap with thick packing tape.