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Topic Archives => Build Alongs => Topic started by: ber643 on February 19, 2008, 12:19:00 PM
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Back before the deer season (Early Sept here in NC) you may, or may not remember me posting the pic below and a couple others along with a story about my starting on my first Osage self bow (under the cautionary eye of my Mentor, Mike Brooks :) ). Ever since then I have been "threatening" to get back on it after the season. Well the season ended 1 Jan - dad-burn, I'm slow :D . Finally, both Mike and I had time to get together yesterday (Presidents Day), and I flat made some yellow shavings fly - :p .
Recap Picture (first day, probably in Aug.):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/Chaseing01-1.jpg)
I was really pleased with how much I retained from that first session, and using my own old Draw Knife I (we) could even see some improvement in confidence in "Attack Mode". However my memory didn't improve any so I forgot my camera. I brought the stave home last night so I could record the progress after the (much postponed) second day. I had only got down to the "Back", on one end before. Yesterday I took it all the way to the other end - only to discover right at the end that there was some kind of half ring or camoflage transition that had hoodwinked us. So I started working back - had to go almost back to the original starting point - but what fun, and how well it went - and how much more I learned. On top of that we got a better looking back and it found it has streaks of almost a redish color in it. After that, Mike helped me lay out a would be bow outline - (similar to a bow of his that I had shot and liked, and that the stave looked like it might consent to - ). I proceeded to take the sides close to the outline and we split off the extra, under part of the stave. Here are a couple pics of how it looks now - I'm a pretty happy camper. We will have a little amount of character in both limbs but we will also have some heat bending to do, coming up soon. I am shooting for 58-60" and 40-45# @ 26"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO0005.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO006.jpg)
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Look'n good! I'm work'n on my first piece of osage as well so I can appreciate your effort and enthusiasm. My hands are still sore from working a scraper for several hours yesterday. Lots of fun.
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So far it is looking good. I need to start making some shavings. I also need to build me a caul. Keep us up to date on your progress.
Shawn
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LOL - yep my hands cramped last night and were sore this AM - (but not enough to stop me).
I hope y'all want to see more "progress" pics, and are ready to . The Marines had a long weekend so Mike's company didn't have to work today either - so we were able to get together for more "larning" this afternoon. This time I took my camera. As you will see, I made a lot more shavings (big ones too) ;) . You folks are right, thinking, "clean stave". Only one tiny pin knot and one reg Knot - not in the way - but yes some problems with heat bending coming up - we'll see. Really made a lot of progress today and it's beginning to look like a bow - albiet a crooked one - :D at this stage :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO007.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO008.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO010.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO011.jpg)
As you can see in the forth pic - some pretty good natural reflex - if I get it right it should be pretty zippy.
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About three more:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO012.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO013.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO014.jpg)
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Looking good!Thanks for sharing.Looking forward to seeing how it goes.
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thats looken good can't wait to see it done!!
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Lookin Bernie!!
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Go, Bernie GO ! :thumbsup:
...time to switch to a big rasp.
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Yep, NSlb, I did just that, to finish off the fades a little as a last step yesterday. Thanks, guys. I hope to get another shot at it on Sunday (got to get in some knife and Wing Bone call work too - LOL). So many fun things to do ... well, you know - :D
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Well heck, she's already reflexed for ya isn't she.
Looks great!
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That is looking nice. Can't complain about that natural reflex. Looking forward to seeing the heat bending portion of this project. Keep up the good work.
Shawn
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That'll be one mean shooting stick! Good Luck!
-Brett
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I also am interested in the heat bending part - it'll be my first, of course, and we figure about 3 bends at least. The reflex is about 2 1/4" on one end and 2 1/2" on the other so if all goes well it should really spit the arrows out. (Where is that smiley with the crossed fingers? ) ;)
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Looks like nice wood Bernie. Don't worry about the heat bending. It's not too tough to do. Do you have a caul all ready to clamp it to?
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Tom, I have to admit - I've heard/read "caul" but I haven't tied it in as yet to bowmaking(though I am reading The BB Vols I and III). I "heard" someone just the other day say they had to make/get one, it might have even been Mike. I am using Mike's shop and it is fully appointed so I imagine if he needs one he has one or if you need different ones for various bows perhaps it was him who said it (we have also been discussing a wild and crazy stave he is turning into a bow at the same time. Perhaps it's the next lesson ;) .
(I do know the definition in the Webster's doesn't help any - LOL - the covering for the head of the embryo - all righty then! Or maybe it does relate....)
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wow!!! that looks real good uncle bernie now dont go getting lost in them shavings as we dont want to have to send in the marines. :clapper:
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Keep makin shavins Bernie!!!! ;)
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Thanks, you two - LOL
Tom L., I ran across a question on stave/bow straightening, on another web site, this AM, and one responder ("toxiophileken") gave a link to a thread on building and using a "simple" caul (it was very good). So rest assured I now have at least been very thorughly exposed to Caul/bowstraightening. I seriously thank you for asking me that question. Now I'll at least have a glimmer of what Mike talks about when we get to that stage, which may be "next". If anyone else is interested in that very good thread, with copious photos, PM me and I will give you the link - or you could search paleoplanet for caul and probably find it. I certainly won't mind responding with the link though - my pleasure to help others, as I've just been helped.
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I printed out that caul building thread a couple of weeks ago. It is a very good tutorial. My schedule is packed for this weekend, but I hope to get my caul built the following weekend. I have 3 staves already waiting in line.
Shawn
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Yep - a lot of good, jermaine comments about the Caul after the teut too.
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You don't need a caul for correcting sideways bends. I have a post bolted to the end of my workbench that I use to support my stave when I am rasping. I also use it for heat bending.
I adjust my vise(swivel type)so the stave is slightly over the inside edge of the post, heat the stave, bend it a little so it slips down to the side of the post, them continue to heat the stave and add shims between the stave and the post to move it in the direction I want it to go.
The picture shows my post location.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/frankenbowoverlays.jpg)
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That's interesting, Eric. Are you referring to the (looks to be about a 2"x3") piece that has the dark brown top, affixed to the near end "leg" of your bench (that the bow isn't touching in this pic)?
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Mike and I did get together at his shop yesterday afternoon to make a little more progress with my current (and first) Osage self bow. We also got to do a little shooting while the bow was cooling down. we were shooting a couple of Mike's fine osage bows and it reminded me that I've been meaning to show you some of his fine work. Kinda points up well why I trust and respect him as my mentor too. So, I'll take a short break here to show a couple pics of mike's work, before I return to my progress pictorial, - this is the "Naughty Knotty" Osage stave he is currently taming:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/MikesBow001.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/MikesBow001a.jpg)
This is one of the bows we were shooting and it is a sweet shooting, virtually no shock, fast, piece of joy to shoot - not to mentiion a beautiful work of art that my pics can't even begin to do full justice- IMO He coaxed this one out some over a year ago (the bottom isn't really that much darker than the top - BTW):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/MikesBow002.jpg)
Here is a close up of that gnarly knot hole that is the Back (target side) of his grip. Mike rests his finger tip in there, lightly (my fingers are a little long for that but it's very comfortable in hand anyway:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/MikesBow002a.jpg)
I'll be back to post the progress pics on my bow. Hope you'll look back in.
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Keep it coming Bern - I love watching that yellow wood get worked :thumbsup: Looking forward to seeing you put the heat to her and get the string lined up. You've sure got a good teacher!
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Lookin good Burnie!
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Thank you, Whip and slayer1, I appreciate it.
Well, as someone said, it was time to go to a big file on my Osage. At Mike's suggestion I opted for Shure Forms (flat and curved) instead, as I had quite a bit of wood still to remove from handle area and limbs to even get to the "bendable with heat" state. Here you can see that, after I took the handle sides down closer to line, and got started on one limb:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO015.jpg)
Those rascals ("cheese grater" tools) can flat move some wood, and I was getting into it - while watching closely and judging high/low spots by running my thumb and forefinger of opposite hands, on each edge at the same time, as Mike had showed me. Of course I had to be careful to follow all the "whoopties" and twists and turns Though not too many on this nice stave - it's fascinating to me to see the bow beginning to take shape more and more with each pass:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO016.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO017.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO018.jpg)
(more in next post)
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After working the bow down in thickness enough to get some lateral movement out of it ,we were ready to attemp some heat bending. We hoped to move the handle closer to a mid-line first, so that when we get to moving the (thinner) limb areas, they won't have to be moved so far. I must apologize at this point for getting no pictures during the heating and bending of the handle area. Since it was my first attempt, I was too, too busy paying attention (and being amazed), to even think about taking pictures (and Mike was too busy keeping a watchful eye on me - LOL). I promise I will get some pics when we do the limb areas, and a twist that must be straightened out a little. Though Mike has (and showed me) a number of Cauls that he uses for various bendings, "my bends" we were able to work on by using the bench vice, clamps and wedges/shims/pads, and the heat gun. (Much in the same manner as Eric describes above, though I like his "work bench post" idea that he uses.) As you can see in the next pic, we were successful in moving the handle (neatly, and with only a slight scorch, which I have pleanty of room to remove) and it really puts the limbs in a much better alignment with the axis/centerline of the bow - especially if you compare it with similar pics of the stave/bow, from earlier in this thread. I'm pumped! The darkness of the handle is not the scorch (just a small one on the other side) but is from the Crisco we used to help conduct the heat into the interior wood, and to protect the wood.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO019.jpg)
Thanks for eyeballing. Next session I'll work on the limb areas (laterally), and the twist (if it still presents a problem) .
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Looking good bud,, I hope to do one also,,J
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Bernie, Are ya gonna have that baby ready for ATAR??? Lookin Good Sir. :thumbsup: :notworthy:
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Nice work Bernie , looking good :0) :thumbsup: :clapper:
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Thanks Jason, Kenny (I hope before Hickory even), and Drew. I appreciate the comments and encouragement.
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Looking sweet Bernie!Thanks for sharing.
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Bernie, you are definitely following the cardinal rule of selfbows... take it slow. I am really enjoying your pictures and the story they help represent. Keep it coming!
-Brett
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Thanks, fxe and brett. Yeah, I wish i could do more but I think it helps me to kind of let it sink in between sessions. I think I also get to enjoy the progress more taking it slowly. On the other side of the hill though, I wish that cold molasses that's running up the hill in the wintertime would let me catch up to it just a little bit - :knothead:
:goldtooth:
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OK, Got to do some more Osage bending this past weekend, and I'll update, as promised. However, first I want to show you a little bonus of another new bow Mike is working on. I got to help him "shoot it in" some, while waiting for my bend work to cool on my stave. The new one is a sweet little Bamboo Backed Osage, Osage Tip overlays, Poplar and Massandruba handle, 51# @ 27" (it was about 44# at my 25 1/2 or so). Mike says it still shows some extra stiffness in the bottom limb (he wanted it a little stiffer than the top limb) but we both felt it behaves and shoots so well, and comfortably that he may not do much more than sanding work now. I really loved the bow's feel, quickness, and accuracy, and he liked the chance to see it shot by someone other than just him, so he could stand back and eyeball it in action.
Mike at Full Draw:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/NewBow001.jpg)
New Bow at Brace:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/NewBow002.jpg)
(See next post for update/pics)
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Now, on with my Osage Self bow. You'll recall, we moved the handle over to make for less bending of the limbs (hopefully). Next step is to move one limb over (laterally) in line with the handle. The vice holds the other tip within it's handle area, and we shimmed and clamped near the bow's handle. We'll grease and heat the mid portin of the limb (to The right) and then clamp it a little further over than we hope it will settle after cooling:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO020.jpg)
Now greased, heated, and clamped:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO021.jpg)
That having worked out very well, we set up to work on the opposite limb. This one needs the tip moved over laterally (like the other one) but we also hope to reflex the end some (to match the natural reflex in the opposite limb) and twist (with a padded cresent wrench) the outter portion of the limb a little - all at the same time, after heating and greasing. This time I will be heating The outter portion of the limb rather than the center. A little trickier moves, and we can only hope for the best results:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO022.jpg)
Fancier (more convoluted - LOL) clamping and bracing on this limb/tip:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO023.jpg)
Again I was blessed (and well guided by Mike's previous experience), although a little more reflex might have been nice - we'll see about that later. After cooling period and unclamping, we ran a center line (using a Chalk line string), and you can see (in the the pic below) we now have a pretty pleasing center line, on a fairly straight stave, (with some "whooptie" character places - LOL) Both Mike and I were very pleased:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO024.jpg)
Next session I'll take the sides of the bow in to the layout lines, pretty much to where I would like them to be in the end.
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Looking good. I'm watching closely as I'm in the middle of my first osage bow as well. Keep it coming.
Bill
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Thank you and best of luck (and skill) to you also BMN. Ain't it great fun and satisfaction?
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Yes Bernie it is great fun. I've started tillering and progress is slow. It's looking ok so far. I think it might actually become a bow but I still have my fingers crossed. Looking forward to watching your progress. Thanks for sharing.
Bill
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Great job so far; keep it comming. I'm really enjoying this.
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Thank you, both, for reading and for your kind comments. i really enjoy reporting on it.
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Looking good Bernie. Cannot wait to see your bow when it is finished. :clapper:
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Well I did get to go over and Work on my Osage Bow today for a few hours but again I'd like to show you the progress Mike has made on his real snaky stave that i showed you at the begining of this thread. He is pretty much at the point I am on mine (or a little further) but close to floor tillering. In this pic you can really see the character running rampant in this osage and the three (count 'em three) knots that come all the way through (holes) - small one near the top, large one in the center, and medium near the bottom. It is a beaut though and I'll bet is going to be a fine shooter in the end.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/MikesBow001b.jpg)
Now back to my First Osage Self Bow. Today, using Sure Forms (flat and curved), 4 in Hand File, Draw knife (as scraper), and Ka-Bar, (as scraper) itook the sides of my stave into the outlines of the Bow shape I am looking for. Here is a couple of pics (not much difference in them - except the flash spot) of how the stave has (perhaps miraculously) turned into a Bow Shape. Now the bow is ready for belly wood removal to get it bending for Floor Tillering - next session. I really enjoyed this session too, BTW - most satisfactory use of tools and results.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO025.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/FO026.jpg)
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Look'n'good Bernie. :thumbsup: I'll have to check in more often.
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Lookin great! I'll be following along till the end :clapper:
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Thanks, Linc and T.J. I think (hope) changes will start coming pretty fast now, if all goes well. It's all interesting and exciting to this ol' hoss but it is really getting more so now - LOL.
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Great stuff Bernie. Now the real fun begins.
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A-yuh! (I hope)
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Very nice Bernie. Don't know how I missed this one before.
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Go for it Bernie. :D One of these days if I find the time I am going to try to build a selfbow that won't hit me on the head. :bigsmyl: So far all I have produced is lumps. :(
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Bless your heart, James - quit trying to pull them so far, so soon ;)
Thank you, VTm.
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Now to play the 'stringed insturment' like a Strativarius. Scrape a little, bend it some, scrape a little, bend some more, scrape a little, string it. And so on. Keep them pics coming. I love a good string serenade!
-Brett
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LOL - nice play on words there, Brett. (I love words, and their uses)
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Looking good!
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OK - Onward and upward (I hope). Mike and I were finally able to get together at his shop again, yesterday afternoon. the plan of the day was to take belly wood off the limbs of my Osage self bow to try to get the limbs bending for a suitable floor tiller. I used my draw knife but more often as a scraper than as a draw knife. I was haveing to be careful that I paid attention to following the caracter "whoopties", in regards to consistant thickness. It was a good feeling to find myself becoming more and more comfortable with this process as I progressed. a most enjoyable and productive 4-5 hours. We did get satisfactory floor tiller on both limbs but the bottom limb can stand a little more thickness removal in a couple places before we move on to tree tillering. Baisically just refinement though.
Working it out - first (presumably upper) limb:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO027.jpg)
Bow switched around in vise to start on second limb:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO028.jpg)
A pic down the length of the first limb, after floor tillering:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO029.jpg)
This pic taken at some point during the floor tillering. I couldn't bend it quite as well as Mike could when he tried it. He figured we are probably at about 60 - 65# ... (at about 20" - LOL) but that's down qite a bit from 100 plus. It's looking more like a bow at every stage.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO030.jpg)
At the end of the floor tillering of both limbs (and the session) I could feel the difference real well and also that both limbs were bending in nice, relatively even curves. We are seeing now that we will have to induce a little more reflex into one of the limbs at some point soon.
After my last sessions posting, one of the folks watching along asked me what stats we were shooting for. I had to admit that, not having a memory for figures and facts, I would have to write them down at the next (this) session. I did that but please remember it's all pretty much only figures to me. I am not into "bow design" (yet anyway, and maybe never - LOL), so don't nail me to the barn door. However for those who like, or can visulize better with, facts and figures. Here is what we are shooting "more or less" towards (depending on "It" being in agreement).
A Sort of Plains/NA Flat Style bow (w/character) 4" Handle (so C bow), w/ about 1 1/2" fades. Limbs are 1 3/8" wide at the fades and tips will be under 5/16" (or close) wide at finish. Most of the width taper will take place in the outer third of the limbs. Tip to tip length is 60 3/4". That's about "It" (the name of the bow - so far because I think it will be - LOL). Thanks for looking.
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Nice job Bernie! Looking good.
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Looks good! ;) :thumbsup:
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"It" looks great so far!
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Ya Got Some Fine Work There Bernie!! Great Job!!
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Thank you, gents - I really appreciate the comments. I love the way that Osage gets so slick when you scrape on it - it's almost like you already burnished it. It really responds well to that - when the time comes. I liked Osage before, I think I'm having a love affair with it now. :archer:
BTW, I noticed that "hinge look" in the picture but you don't see it when there in person. I looked at it while Mike bent it and he looked at it while I did. I am not sure if it is the angle of the pic, or the background of my troser leg edge, or what is making it appear that way in the pic but thankfully (so far) no actual hinge on either limb. I was wishing I had taken more pics, after I saw the pic, but I was into it too much yesterday, and Mike doesn't think about the camera unless I ask him to - LOL.
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oh uncle bernie that is one awesome looking bow man you got the thing looking good cant wait to see the end result :notworthy: :clapper:
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Thanks, Jeff - it really does seem to be coming along nicly. For some reason the pics don't seem to do it justice this week - but then I suffer from a "Father's Love" probably - LOL
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Keep it up Bernie. Great work so far!
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Thank you much, Lr.
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Keep up the good work Bernie! :clapper:
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Bless you, Chris, I'll try my best.
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Well, Made quite a bit of progress on "It" Yesterday (Sunday PM), and will get to that, with some pics, shortly.
First though. Mike hasn't had a chance to get any further with his bow with the three knot holes - will get pics when he does. However he did break out what he calls his "Painted Bow", so we could shoot it some during breaks in working on mine. Part of the reason is because this is basically the shape and type that I am shooting for with mine. Main difference is mine will be lower weight, and does have a few more character features. His bow will show what I'm after, and iit s a real neat little bow. It is A 58" Osage Selfbow and is quick and darned near dead in the hand for such a short little sweetheart. Also pretty strong, 56# at 27" (or 28", I forget), for as thin as it is (front to back). I, of course, can not pull it as far as he can and therefore had to use my thumb nuckle as my anchor point. Even at that, it shot real well for me, and with nice athority and litle to no hand shock. I was always impressed with the looks of the bow and even more so now that I've shot it some. Makes me sure how well I will like mine if it turns out as much like the "Painted" one as we think "It" will. BTW, Mike painted the center of the bow, put some NA design bands near each end of the painted area, and painted an arrow on the back in the painted area.
So here is a preview of "It" (we hope) in the form of Mikes "Painted Bow":
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO033.jpg)
Mike with "Painted Bow" at Full Draw:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO034.jpg)
''Yours truly" with "PB", at my abreviated draw - what a nice shooter it is:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO035.jpg)
More in next post.
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We did that shooting mostly while my bow was cooling off after we had dry heated it to induce some more Reflex in the one limb - to match the natural Reflex in the other limb. However, before we did that, I thinned and narrowed (taperd the tip) the other limb some. I knew I would need to do trhat with both limbs but not untill after the bending process on the one - just in case I needed more "room" to correct any miss-cues. After shaping the one limb a little we set up for the bending. You will notice the "High tech" "Caul" I brought along (in the form of chunks of Osage log pieces, to be cut up for knife handles, bow parts, etc.). It just happened to fill the bill perfectly. We will try to take the tip down almost to the work bench, to allow room for a little relaxing after the heat and cooling period:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO031.jpg)
Once the heat was applied (Mike demonstrating how to heat without Crisco and still not scorching the limb, as I did a little last time - LOL) the squeeze clamp was tightened down on the tip:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO032.jpg)
We couldn't have asked for better results, IMO:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO036.jpg)
A bit more in next post.
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After that I worked on thinning the belly (mostly scraping with draw knife and using course sandpaper) and narrowing the tip of the limb just bent, and then both limbs, to bring both tips to more similar floor tiller. Later, following more belly thinning, it was time to start tree tillering with the long string and then plenty of belly thinning, exercising limbs, and checking progress. AT one point I took this pic and Mike figured we were about at 40 -to 45# - at brace height - LOL. During this work I was also rounding and shaping the edges some - for looks and safty for the wood:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO037.jpg)
More thinning, exercising, and checking followed and at the end of the afternoon both Mike and I were feeling I'd had a good afternoon of progress. He told me he felt I had reached the point where, if I felt up to it ("at my own speed" he cautioned), I could take it home with me and continue those processes, and start shaping the handle a little. I told Mike he could count on the fact that, if I got scared or uncomfortable with any part of it, - I would STOP! I'm liking this bow too well to do something dumb and blow it (please, Lord). I took a couple pics this AM, just to show where I ended up yesterday. The pics are taken from a little above to show more of the character of the limbs, I hope. I thought the first one might have a little to much clutter in the background for easy eyeballin', so I took the second on my wife's dinning room table (before she got up - LOL):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO038.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO039.jpg)
Thanks for following along.
_________________
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Sorry, I don't think the update date took on the first post so "ttt" (for the devilment of it :D ;) )
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Bernie, The bow looks to be coming along nicely. Can not wait to see it when it's done. Very nice indeed!
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Nicely done! Keep it coming. I'm really enjoying this one.
Bill
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Bernie you have just about inspired me to try building a selfbow. :D It looks like it is working nice.
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Thank you, Chris, Bill, and James. I appreciate it. Hey James you know that old joke about what the father tells his son, "If you have half a mind to get married, Son - go to it, that's all it takes." Well, making a self bow is kinda like that too - so they tell me - :D Just kidding, it's great fun and if I've inspired you, even a little bit, I'm pickled tink - ;) .
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Bernie a buddy of mine has a stash of osage and is searching for me a beginer stave.I told him I won't ready for no crooks and knots right now. :D I need one that is darn near idiot proof! :biglaugh:
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Very nice, sir. Pretty decent thread so far. :)
I was going to ask what the crisco is for, but after reading on I see it's used in the heating process. :D
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Very nice Bernie. I see the addiction is starting to get a real hold on you.LOL. You're doing great buddy. :thumbsup:
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Allll-right, James, go get 'em, buddy.
Thank you very much for that, DB
Bless you, old friend, Linc, you're so kind.
Starting to work on the bow here at home a little now (between other "chores" - like cleaning the dinning room table off :D ), so I will be posting along and along now as it comes up also. No more "Mr. Nice Looking Shop" (at Mike's) for awhile (except now and then - when needed :p ) - just my ol' Glory Hole Room. Like this AM, I stepped in there early to do a little roughing in of the handle. So check back, "ever now 'n agin".
Setting up here to use my Farriers File/Rasp (smoother side), and timed release on the digicam of course. I love how the file works and it has good Mojo. It comes from a gent here in NC that does Farrier work for the US (and Canada) Olympic Equestrian Teams. I met him later the same day that his friend and mine, Matt Edwards, gave me the file:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/New%20Size/FO040.jpg)
And applying the ol' hands and elbo grease to "stroke" it with the sweet, big file:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/New%20Size/FO041.jpg)
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In the process of doing some belly thinning and further shaping, for floor tillering, as time permits. Using mostly draw knife, Ka-Bar, and sand paper.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO042.jpg)
Here is a level pic of "It" after some short sessions. Just about through with floor tillering - will set up my tree tiller rig this weekend and start checking progress with that (hopefully)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO043.jpg)
I'll get Mike to take a look-see (at his place or mine) before getting too carried away - LOL. Sure is nice to have a guiding hand close by.
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She's really starting to look good Bernie - you're doing great! Slow and easy is paying off well for you, and it looks like you're well on your way to having a beautiful bow! :thumbsup:
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Thank you, Whip - very encouraging words indeed.
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Sunday I cut the string nocks in (chain saw file) "It". Last evening and this nasty, rainy day, I did some more shaping on the handle (almost done with that, I think), and some outter third limb tip thinning (believe I still need to do just about that much again there - but I'll do it in two sessions just to be sure - LOL)
Here's the handle pics:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO045.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO046.jpg)
Between rain drops I got my Tillering rig set up (I can quicklyly take the apparatus down and place it in the water proof ammo can on the table, between uses - leaving the bow clamp at the top, and the screw eye at the bottom). A real honest to dickens Tillering "Tree". I may move the rig into the carport later but right now I can't get to the posts, for the "stuff" in the way. "Animal" generously supplied the bow rest/clamp (his discovery) for me, as he had an extra (Y'all know Animal, he was the Drummer for the Muppets Band - LOL). Below is my first use of the rig, and it does real well. BTW, Animal, if you'll put a pully at both top and bottom, as I did, you may not feel like you need a "better", or "ball-bearing", type pully to replace the one you have. It'll double your pull, or half your energy expended, whichever way you want to think of it. The string I'm using here is a 62" (and should be about a 56") so it is still like a "long string" tiller (playing it safe for first try on this rig). Scale read about 35#, and that looks like it would only be at about brace height or a tad more, to me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO044.jpg)
_________________
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Whole lotta scraping goin' on now, with sanding in between. Have to do mostly floor tillering though because of the durned "everytime you turn around" showers going on. Of course we still need the rain though, so can't complain too loud :)
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Last night and todays progress - when I could finally get it out to the tillering tree - LOL. Looking a little better :) . I also did some more fine-tune shaping of the handle, though it doesn't show in the pic, of course. Using the same 62" long-string. Still only reading about 36# on the bow scale but you can see that the bottom of the scale in this pic is almost down to the bottom of the tree - I'll need to make a 57" string for "It" tonight. I also still need to heat and twist both tips a tad before stringing the bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO047.jpg)
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Next step - Work on that outer left limb and make a regular string for "It" - (her first very own dress :p )
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Looks nice Bernie.
Starting with that reflex would mess with me tillering. I have a couple staves I have stayed away from because of that.
I need to get back to it.
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I know what you mean. I'm just glad I have Mike's able guidance to rely on, especially since it is my first.
This might be a good place to mention that when we started, Mike was kidding me that it was such a pretty, straight stave with no knots, etc. that he felt he had to apologize, as it would be so easy I wouldn't learn very much. However, after we got into it, "It" has turned out to be quite a learning experience after all - IMO. Although it was sans knots (probably a good thing ;) ).
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Outstanding! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Larry, and your welcome.
...........................
Now we're really loggin'!:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO048.jpg)
Tomorrow, Lord willing, I will twist (with heat) the tips into position, let her cool, and then get the short string on her to see where we stand.
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It's coming along nicely. Keep it up.
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Thanks, BMN.
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Lookin Good Bernie!!!!!!!!!! :thumbsup: "IT" is going to be sweet!!!!!!!
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what an excellent build, great job
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OK - time to catch up on this "learn-along". I have been very remiss about posting lately but I have been working on the bow and taking pictures right along. I also have been busy with other postings and springtime "outside chores" - (you too, huh? - LOL).
You will be happy to know, though not as happy as I am, chances are, that I am very close to finished with "It". In fact all that remains at this point is some decorations I plan, and final finish. The best part is that I now have a very nice little shooter that looks and acts pretty darned good, in my opinion. However it was not without a scary moment or two and a couple set-backs or at least slow-downs. I will take you patient folks along with me, from where I left off above.
The next step was to heat and twist (or untwist) the tips. They were twisted in opposite directions, which ment I had to twist each of them clockwise a tad to align them with the limbs and centerline better. I did that by dry heating and twisting with a cresent wrench, tied down to the handle of my (heavy) belt sander, while cooling took place:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO049.jpg)
The next day turned out to be a hectic day, at least for a beginner like me. Well, I twisted the tips that Thursday night, with no real problem. I did still have that weak spot (blue tape - to say, "Stay away!") to deal with. I did a little work on the inner portions of the limbs (to get the area close to the fades working more) and blended the scraping into that weak spot better. I put it on the long string once more to see how she looked. Looking pretty darned good - but still "strong". So I went to work on her. Looked something like this - at the end of my hectic day:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO050.jpg)
I started working a little more on the Inner Limbs and then put a short string on it. "It" still looked pretty good on the tree, discounting a few areas that could use a little touch-up work:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO051.jpg)
(Actually those two pics were taken at the end of that day - but it was pretty much the same all day - to different degrees as I progressed - going crazy!)
(more follows)
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What drove me crazy was that the first time I strung "It", with her short string, one limb (the right one) wouldn't curve hardly at all. Kinda like the following picture - except that pic was also taken at the end of the day and looks a little better than it did at earlier stages:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO052.jpg)
I mean, at first, the string at the flatter end (right) was only about 2" from the limb, while the other was about four inches. I did everything that I thought "It" was telling me to do - but nothing seemed to change it. Neither in just the stringing of it, or in putting it on the tree (yes, after each scrapping, I was exercising it about 20 times, each time before I strung it, and again each time when I put it on the tree.) The situation, of course, was making no sense to me - but I swear I couldn't stop myself from trying to correct it anyway. Towards the end I measured my string, and it had stretched out a little, so I twisted it back up to 57" (it probably' could be 56 1/2") and that is where it is set in the pics above. By this time I was really frustrated. Then all of the sudden I noticed, for the first time, what I thought might have been the problem, and what had been driving me to distraction all day. My beautiful reflex was just about gone from the end where it had been heat induced (left end/top limb)! Not only that - but I wasn't so sure there was not even as much on the other end (right/bottom limb) as there was originally - but there was enough there to make the difference in the tips in the "Brace" pic above, I think. That blew my mind, and I thought, "How in the world ......" Then it dawned on me - probably when I had heated the tips to twist them, the night before, I most likely relaxed the reflex all to blazes, especially in that one end, where it was heat induced in the first place. So here is a picture of the unstrung bow at the end of that day, so you can see the difference from what it was before a beginners mind-bending day:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO053.jpg)
I hoped all that was needed was to heat her up and induce some reflex back into it, at least the one end, and perhaps both. I had no idea what the weight was at that point (maybe a ten# bow for all I knew - I hoped not) but I never at any time went over 38#s on the tree bow scale, with either long or short string. At that point, I put it all to bed, and went out and worked up a sweat blowing, racking, and hauling leaves in the dog pens and back yard - to calm my damaged nerves and frazzeled state of mind. It only worked marginally ;^).
I aprised my mentor, Mike, of the above day in a message, with pics Saturday night. I had decided to let "It" rest Saturday, as I knew Mike was out of town, and take her over to his place Sunday to let him help me make sense of it all - and maybe take the scare out of me.
As soon as we strung "It" Sunday AM, and subsequently put her on the tillering tree, Mike was sure that I had worked on it after the message - and I wasn't so sure myself that I hadn't "sleep-worked" on it during the night. It looked pretty "normal", and darned good, except for fine tuning areas, as noted above. I think the bow has got a little magic in it, or just wants to be a good bow, very badly - LOL Mike had thought about it some, after reading my message, and felt that the weak spot in the one limb had made the string look closer, and thus the limb look/act flatter, at the other end of the bow. As I got the stronger tip closer to the weaker one in my work Sat, it had got better - but it evidently needed time for the wood to compleatly take it's new shape - it got that time Saturday. much to my shock and pleasure Sunday:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO055.jpg)
So - I had a bow with weaker tips than planned for perhaps - but at least, my beautiful, slightly magic, bow was safe, and looking good:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO056.jpg)
Yowza!!!
(more follows)
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After some very minimal fine-tune scraping and sanding, Mike said it was time to shoot her in and see how she would do:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO054.jpg)
I spent most of the afternoon shooting "It" and enjoying her. Mike spent most of it shaking his head and proclaiming he had no idea why a bow with those weak looking tips would shoot so fast. We decided that perhaps the crown ridge that runs down most of the back may have something to do with it's surprising performance. We did wind up swaping ends and uping the brace height about 1/2" I found "It" to be, not only quick but accurate, well behaved in hand, consistant. and packing punch with plenty of arrow penetration. "It" was checking out as 41# @ 25" Both Mike and I were hugely pleased and satisfied. Mike also shot about 18 arrows through "It", with the same findings on his part. I shot somewhere around 150- 200 arrows. I was a tired but happy student when I left for home.
That evening at home, I took a couple pics to show how the string, while the limbs go both ways from center, still follows the center line of the handle:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO057.jpg)
and to show the loss of the heat induced reflex, which I would try to remedy in the final steps (although it didn't appear to be really needed for "It" to be the bow it had promised to be):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO058.jpg)
(more to follow)
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The next day I proceeded with progressive grit sanding and at the same time preshaped some Purpleheart tip overlays, affixed them (with epoxy), and finished shaping them. The following day I would try to heat my reflex back into the tips. I found my work-bench wasn't long enough, so I had to commandere my wife's glass dinning table - again (she's so understanding, bless her heart):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO059.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO060.jpg)
The heating/bending worked beautifully and I wound up with my 3" reflexed tips again, after cooling:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO061.jpg)
I started the burnishing process of my bow, using a glass bottle, I'll do that often in the next few days, prior to applying finish.
(more follows)
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That evening I went outside to check and see how tillering stats/looks, and actual shooting had or hadn't changed.
At Brace:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO063.jpg)
and at 42# @ 25":
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO062.jpg)
I then shot her on my range using my Cane arrows (she liked them) and found everything still as satisfying as it had been during the shooting on Sunday.
(and a final one - for now, follows)
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After shooting, I got my wife to take some Full Draw pics for me (without canting the bow), with a light background (my neighbor's garage/house) and a dark one (one of our bushes):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO064.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO065.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO066.jpg)
I have labled and signed the bow, "It", I am still burnishing her, and will do a small amount of decoration, dressing, plus finish in the next few days, and will be back with the final pics. Today "It" is taking a well earned rest, while I play catch-up here - LOL.
Thanks for looking.
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Thank you, Linc, (my old friend) and, widoweater - hope you got to see it all, since I had to post in segments, all at one time - LOL.
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Bernie, You did good, REAL GOOD!!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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Great job Mr. Dunn!!! I can only hope my hickory bow turns out half as nice as yours. Enjoy playing with your new toy.
Shawn
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That's about perfect tiller for that bow. With the longer handle and bend concentrated out towards the last two thirds, it will draw smooth and maximize efficiency. You can see that in your full draw pics the string angle is approaching, but not quite 90 degrees. It's very similar to what Jim Hamm professes as his favorite tiller. Great job. Way to stay with it!
John
p.s. Bending on glass....yikes. Made me cringe. BTW, broken glass tables make great points :)
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Great job Bernie! :thumbsup: I am just about ready to take the plunge on my first one.My buddy found me a stave he thinks I might be able to handle for a firsy bow.
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Thank you, Walt - means a lot, especially after seeing (just yesterday) the beaut you did for the St. Jude Auction.
Thank you too, shawn, and it is a real pleasure to play with, a lot because of the properties John Scifres speaks of in the post after yours.
Bless you, John, for pointing that out ("It" is in the other room comparing notes with my "John Scifres" Osage, even as we speak - LOL)
James, way to go - I can't imagine that you won't make a whistler of a bow when you put your mind and crafting abilities to it.
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Hey Bernie, you do nice work my friend! As John mentioned, the bow's tiller is near perfect for Osage IMO. Looking forward to seeing your new bow this summer.-ART B
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I think Bernie needs to make one for next year's auction.
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Thanks for sharing with us Bernie. I have truly enjoyed following along. Enjoy your new bow!
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Great job Bernie. It's been a real pleasure following along. Thanks for sharing with us.
Bill
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Bernie, thanks for this thread. I have really enjoyed it from start to near finish and have learned alot from your efforts. Great build along.
Brian
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Guys, I love having you chime in and "hearing" your comments - it gladens an ol' coot's heart that you take an interest.
Art, so good to hear from you, and your oppinion is special to me - I'm sure you know those were the canes you made that "It" liked so well. With any luck for us both you will see her this summer, my friend.
VTm, I don't know about that but it would be an honor to make one for the auction - for the kids of St. Jude. We'll just have to see.
Chris and Bill, I don't know if you can imagine how much of a pleasure it is for me to "share" the things I do. Not because I know much, but because I enjoy learning and I only hope that, in my learning excursions, it may also help or inspire others. That makes it great fun for me - and thank you for thanking me.
(Tulsa) Brian, My comments to Chris and Bill explains why your kind of comment means so very much to me - bless your heart!
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Great looking bow Bernie. Aren't you glad you didn't remain in the frame of mind of being to old to learn new hobbies? Look at all the pleasure you would be missing out on. :thumbsup: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
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You certainly have that right, friend Linc!
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:clapper:
Congrats Bernie
Now that #1 is done I bet you'll be craving the smell of osage saw dust real soon.
It's a totally normal sickness. :D
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Thanks, Mike. I don't know about "normal" but there does seem to be a lot of that going around these days - and I sure am not immune - :biglaugh:
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Nice job. Looks good.
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I appreciate it, Talondale.
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Bernie I finally got caught up reading this one. Who sez you cant teach an old guy new tricks :bigsmyl: That bow is looking very good.
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well uncle bernie that is outstanding work sir my hats off to you. :thumbsup:
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Y, thank you very much, Mike and Jeff. I do love to be able to say I learned something (anything) new, Mike.
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Ran into some slightly "rocky road" with the finishing - a bad acting can of Polypro. First (I didn't realize) it was spraying more propellant than product and after waiting the 72 hours, I had to start over - Duh! Next, it behaved fine and I was well on my way again. Then on what would have been the last coat, the durn thing started spitting, and I didn't notice that quick enough either :rolleyes: . First time I ever got a bad can, though I've heard others speak of it now and again. The bad news is I didn't finish with my bow as early this past week as I had hoped. The good news is it forced me to do more coats and steel wool buffing than I usually have the patience to do - LOL. Anyway, with any luck at all I will finish dressing "It" this afternoon and post pics today or tomorrow.
In the meantime here are pics of the arrow shelf I decided to make and will use on her. Got the idea and instructions (long distance) from Dano Gren - because i like the one he put on the bow he made for me. This one is ready, except for perhaps some final tweaking as I go to afix it. Dano says he got the idea from others, or at least others use it, (maybe they got it from him too) - so you may already know that it is made of stacked and glued (super glue) leather scraps. Then you sand, file, sand, carve (if you like) to the shape that fits you and your bow. Thank you, Dano.
On its back:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Rest002.jpg)
On its edge:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Rest002b.jpg)
I'll be back with pics of the tip overlays, which I can take before I do final steel wool buffing, waxing, and dress-up of the bow, at "High Noon".
Purpleheart Tip Overlay:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/Tip001.jpg)
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I am posting this that i posted on another forum earlier this evening (and just now) to let folks know where I'm at on this - LOL.
............................................
I finished "It" this afternoon, took final pictures and am going to try to post and finish this out now (or later). I said, "or later," because at this time bad storms (severe thunder storms, hail, tornados, etc. are moving in and around our area at this very moment. All we can do is pray and sit it out, so I'd rather be doing this while we do that, if you know what I mean (rather than sit around and worry).
OK The TV (and Rose) is telling us to shut down computers, etc.. I'll be back after this one passes, good Lord willing.
..............................................................................
It is too late for me to start (to finish this) now (on four forums), so I will do it in the AM - just came back to let y'all know that we were blessed with skating all the worst parts (just got bad wind and rain and broken limb tips all over the place). There were problems around us, and some close by, one tornado touched down not 10 miles up the road, but as I said we were blessed, Thank you, Lord. Also NC, as a whole, fared a lot better than the midwest did with that same storm front, earlier, so bless those folks out there.
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OK, friends, it's time to finish up this (forever-long) thread - LOL.
Here is a pic of the handle of "It" with her (Dano Type) arrow shelf/rest afixed, and a Seal skin arrow pass above it. I know, it looks like a portrait of "Ziggy", or "Mr. MaGoo" in this pic, but the bottom part of the "face"
will be covered with a leather handle wrap.
The Seal skin arrow pass I shaved the hair off of, and then shaved and sanded the back to thin it down considerable. The face of Seal skin is pretty tough and durable stuff, the back is pretty soft (and surprisingly thick):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO067.jpg)
Next is a design I "painted" on the back of the bottom limb. I used an indelible brush/pen (art supply stores). The bar designs are standard Native American symbols. The bar depicts water, waves, direction of life flow, and the ever-renewing force. The bear is one of the most important, oft-mentioned "First Helpers" of many tribes, and the arrow within the animals depicts the line of breath and life force (as all arrows do, more or less). One more thing, My name is Bernard which means, "Brave and bold as a Bear":
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO068.jpg)
This pic is of the design on the top limb, and the same things apply to it, another very important "First Helper" mentioned in many tribes beginnings of NA lore and history, The Whitetail Deer:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO069.jpg)
(more follows)
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Here is the bow Unstrung, also giving a shot of the entire back of the bow showing the designs, with the handle wrap applied, and also a talisman/wind indicator of a red Hackle feater, and a small wooden bead on each side of the limb, tied on with yellow, silk, fly tieing strands. I used a red (dyed) feather and edges of the handle wrap to set off the black designs. Also Red means a number of things in NA lore/design, like South, Heat of the sun (I love the sun), and I've also heard courage, good fortune, and blood. (In some oriental applications red means fire,flame,South, and good luck, and black means water, knowledse, wisdom,career, and North). All of this info on designs and colors are my understanding and reading/research and I'm sure many other applications/meanings are/can be found. Oh, the wind indicator is also used to point up the top limb "Whooptie", which it is tied around - LOL:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO070.jpg)
A closer shot of the designs and handle area - I wet the leather wrap before applying it, to help mold it around the rest:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO071.jpg)
Here is "It", at Brace (Beaver Fur silencers):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO072.jpg)
(Final follows)
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Finally a Frontal, uncanted, Full Draw, that I seem to recall some folks indicated they also like to see of a bow:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO073.jpg)
.................................................................
I said "finally" but after the storm last evening I walked by my "Glory Hole Room" and saw my bow, where I had hung it up. I couldn't help but think how much I liked the look of "It" - even hanging there in front of all that clutter. I felt like I had to try to capture that feeling/look, and so I wanted to share that with you folks too. An Unstrung side view:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v689/ber643/0313/FO074.jpg)
Thanks so much for looking/listening/reading/helping - it's been a great experience for me.
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congrats on a new bow, I am not there yet with mine
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Very nice Bernie!
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Thank you Ian and Chris.
Forgot this. Here are the stats: 61" tip to tip, 59" ntn, 42# @ 25", 4" handle, 1 1/2" fades. Width is 1 3'8" at fades, 1 1/4" at mid-limb, 1/2" at tips Plains or NA style Flat bow w-character (not meant to be a replica). Has a sort of natural crown ridge down most of the back.
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:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great job Bernie. I love it.
Bill
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Bernie, I really enjoyed reading this. Also liked how you straigthend it out with heat. Looks real nice.
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Well done. A job to be proud of.
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WOW, GREAT JOB Bernie. :bigsmyl:
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That is one nice looking bow. WELL DONE!!!
Shawn
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Thanks a bunch, friends - makes an ol' fellah feel pretty darned good. If all goes wel, I might shoot it at ATAR, Ron. Taking it to Baltimore this weekend, and Hickory (NC State Trad) shoot next weekend. I'll also take Dano's "Sneaky Snake", and another one or two. I'll let ya carress it, if you behave as well as you usually do - LOL.
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Darn you done good Bernie! I am starting mine next week and hopefully will have a bow at ATAR if I don't blow it. :D
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Thats very very nice Bernie!!I'm impressed and thats not that easy to do :thumbsup:
Well done
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Originally posted by ber643:
Thanks a bunch, friends - makes an ol' fellah feel pretty darned good. If all goes wel, I might shoot it at ATAR, Ron. Taking it to Baltimore this weekend, and Hickory (NC State Trad) shoot next weekend. I'll also take Dano's "Sneaky Snake", and another one or two. I'll let ya carress it, if you behave as well as you usually do - LOL.
Bern, I will be there too. I will be by ancestrial knowledge trying to build my own for 4 days. Make sure you stop by and say hi. And let me see her in person.
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Nice of you to say, James and Tom. I appreciate it. I heard about that bowyers training at the Ancestral Knowledge Booth, bigcountry. I usually do take a look - in there , as they are almost always doing something interesting. Hopeful;ly we'll get to shake a paw (no crushing bones though - LOL).
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Mighty fine looking bow ya made Bernie. :thumbsup: When you going to start your next one? You know you just can't stop at one. :goldtooth:
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Dang Unca Bernie! :clapper: Not a bad thing to say about your work. The finished bow is a work of art. Now get it blooded! :D
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Drop dead good looking bow Bernie.
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Linc, Rob, and Mike - you can't see it but you guys have got me grinning like the cat that ate the canary - :D Thank you all.
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Leaving today to take "It", and a couple other wood bows, to the Baltimore Shoot. Her first shoot. We'll have a ball and bring pics back, weather permitting - LOL
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Very fine bow Bernie! Take no prisoners at the shoot. Bring back the foam.
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That is gorgeous. I an't wait to see it in person.
Soon
:wavey: