*UPDATED* Hickory Reflexed Longbow 64" ntn 45#@28"

[ajooter]

Started this bow for a friend a couple years ago and it just sat.  So far I have tillered it to 25 to 26" or so.  I decided to heat treat the limbs and finish tiller to 28"  The bow is only 64" ntn so its a little shorter then id like it to be.  Ive attached pictures of my heat treating setup.  I also use this jig to recurve and flip tips.  Its easy to adjust depending on how much or how little to want recurve or flip.  The last two pictures are before and after the heat treatment.  I know I wont keep all that reflex but ill do my best.








Due to the length of the bow and the desired drawlength i decided to deflex the bow some.  I didnt have the bow setup correctly in the vise while deflxing it and in turn cracked the back of the bow on the front side of the handle.  I rounded out the back of the handle with cork and wrapped the handle with jute and soaked with glue.  I ended up finishing the bow with various leather dyes (green, brown, and black) and the belly was colored with steel wool and vinegar.  This was the first time trying my hand at using vegetable tanned leather.  I used a mixture of brown and black to get the desired color I wanted.  Overall im quite happhy with how the bow came out and im excited to give it to a friend who I know will appreciate it.

[bassman211]

Properly  tillered that should make you a good bow. Good luck the rest of the  build.

[razorbak]

That is one of the coolest jig I’ve seen to get your curves. I definitely need to copy that design. Well done sir!

[Del the cat]

Yeah, cool jig
Del

[superdav95]

Neat set up.  What’s the brush and liquid in the pop can?  Do you apply a sealer as you heat treat.  Good luck rest of build

[Muskyman]

I saw that too Dave. I figured it was oil. I like the jig too. That caught my eye first thing. Small and compact and easy to stash away. I’m probably gonna have one someday.
Oh and I like the bow too.

[ajooter]

Avacado oil actually!  I've used coffee as well...I love the smell of the wood when your putting heat to it.

[superdav95]

Avacado oil actually!  I've used coffee as well...I love the smell of the wood when your putting heat to it.

Hah. I knew it!  Ya I do similar but use tung oil.  With it hot it sinks deep in there.  Nice.

[Hamish]

Lovely bow, it's got all the curves in the right places.

 Got to agree with the boys, that's a well-made bending jig.

[hammerstone]

I built the same jig a few days ago.Dont know where you came up with that adjustable base but it's genius. When I try to use it in my bench mounted vise , a long bow will hit on the ceiling of my shop. With that base I could use it anywhere. Thanks for sharing.
Nice curves on the hickory.

[ajooter]

It's handy you can switch it to either side depending if you want to recurve or just flip the tips a little.  The slot in the clamping arm allows you to move it pretty much anywhere on the curve of the jig.

[ajooter]

Ttt...didn't move up when I updated it for some reason.  Sorry about all the adds.  I'm not a big fan of imgur anymore it's a pain to resize photos!

[wooddamon1]

Looks good, I like the stain job and handle leather!

[Will B]

Nice bow!  I like the bend and your caul. Great job!

[mmattockx]

Ttt...didn't move up when I updated it for some reason.  Sorry about all the adds.  I'm not a big fan of imgur anymore it's a pain to resize photos!

You don't have to resize pictures to post them from Imgur. If you are resizing them for other purposes, carry on.


Mark