My first bow posted on here!

[MattZA]

Hi all!

I finally completed a little bow the girlfriend was asking me to make for her. It doesn't look like a specific ancient replica, but it suited the bosses orders of "make it look interesting". This is my fourth ever attempt at a bow. Also the first time I've ever used bamboo.

I ended up with this. Massaranduba limbs stained ebony and then partially sanded (because Government told me to "make it interesting"). A thin bamboo strip for the backing to keep draw weight down. Handle and tips made of Massaranduba and Brazilian Ash, with the inlays on the belly also Brazilian Ash.

50" nock to nock.
35# at 26".
1-3/8" wide at fades, tapering to 1/4" at the tips.
2" set immediately after unbracing, dropping to 1" after an hour unstrung. Zero string follow at rest.

Please let me know your thoughts/criticisms/etc. It's far from perfect and I'm desperate to learn from you excellent bunch.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2LRrbMiQgB1z2uM86

[MattZA]

Oh, just a note to those who may not know:

Brazilian Ash is not Ash. It's also known as Garapa. It's a tropical wood which is pretty heavy (0.88sg), and works reasonably well as a bow wood. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about it.

Matt.

[MattZA]

Oh, and thanks to people like Badger, Del, Justin S and Pat for all the advice and patiently putting up with my constant idiotic questions.

[bjrogg]

Congratulations Matt. It looks great. Need to see the full draw though. I'm guessing it looks pretty good though.
Bjrogg

[MattZA]

Oh and bjrogg thanks for all your advice too!

I have to wait for the girlfriend to get home for a full draw picture, I think. It's slightly whip ended - but I wanted it to be as smooth as possible.

Thanks though!

[simson]

---it does look interesting---
(esp. the hooks )

Let's have the look on th fd.
So far pretty nice work

[MattZA]

Thanks simson.

The tips are pretty extravagant, but they provide a bit over an inch of static recurve and prevent the string from falling off. 26" isn't much draw (tillered to 28" for safety), but when the bow is only 50" long...

I'll get that full draw photo up asap.

[upstatenybowyer]

Looks very nice. Looking forward to seeing the FD. 

[Morgan]

I can’t open the picture for some reason.

[George Tsoukalas]

Very nice! Jawge

[ntvbowyer1969]

Great looking bow and a real original design. Love the colors.

[NorthHeart]

Awesome 4th bow bud!

[Mounter]

Whenever my “ better half” gives me extra time  in the shop it’s win.

Looks good dude. I’m liking the colors.

[Del the cat]

Nice work
Del

[MattZA]

Thanks is for the kind words, everyone. It somehow looks a bit too modern for my tastes, but the girlfriend likes it.

The idea behind the tips was to try and steal an inch or two of reflex, while also making sure the string didn't slip off since 28" is a big ask from a 50" bow.

Has anyone else ever used Garapa (Brazilian Ash) as a bow wood before?