The Beginning of an Orange Collection

[Bowferd]

I've been toying with the idea for a few years and now that I'm 60 have decided to take the plunge.
Just can't keep myself away from bright yellow turns to orange wood.
Might be the Irish.
I've got a few staves ageing in the shop for my hope to be free time.
But here is the beginning of a love affair with my favorite wood.

[rastaman]

 Nice start!

[Mudd]

Is that a Javaman bow? If its what I think it is be careful and don't hurt your shoulder shooting it too much.

Nice beginning. Congratulations!

God bless,Mudd

[Jason Hansen]

Both of them are gorgeous...that recurve just screams "Thunderbird".

[Bowferd]

Mudd, the first pic is of a John Strunk osage snakeskin backed selfbow that I recently acquired here. The second pic diplays my new to me GN Bushbow and GN Ghost, both Osage on top of Osage.
My new shelf bows come very well matched for an old fart like me.
I posted that I was looking for them at 48-54@28 and my draw length is 28.5
Strunk: 53@28
Bushbow: 51@29
Ghost: 51@28
Mudd, I'm still looking and found a 2 pc T/D Critter Gitter same wood and specs. But I can't afford it till next month. What's a man to do?

[jacobsladder]

Fred....here's a load of raw risers ....Jim Jones (firefly bows )and i found this loadlast winter..... gotta love the osage.....heres a pic of Jim with his osage.....

   

"The wood of osage orange was highly prized by the Osage Indians of Arkansas and Missouri for bows. In fact, osage orange trees are stronger than oak (Quercus) and as tough as hickory (Carya), and is considered by archers to be one of the finest native North American woods for bows. In Arkansas, in the early 19th century, a good osage bow was worth a horse and a blanket. A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry."

[Bowferd]

Steven, I think Jim and I could become good friends.
I started my first selfbow project 2 years ago and haven't even begun to finish.
After taking the bark and sapwood off i ran into the wasp problem that sidetracked me.
Took it down from 68" to chase the rings and the wasps had invaded deep down inside right in the center section.
I had a take down sleeve that I'd purchased and decided to turn this one into a biker model.
Needless to say that is not a brilliant idea on your first attempt.
But, the good news is I didn't get in a rush and it is still a work in progress.
I think with a bit of patience and good advice, It's a winner.

[Bowferd]

Just another note. I've never shot one of Jims' bows but have been advised to give one a try by more than one of my friends.
Personally I've just never found a 3 pc. longbow that I've felt comfortable with.
If you'll notice in the pics both of my GN's have the straight grip. That's the way I like em.
I've shot Fazios, Fedoras, Quillians, Lees, and a few others. The 3 pc. is just too much mass in the hand for my comfort.
I guess you could say I want a Stick With A Grip.
Nothing else feels as attatched.

[EricW]

gonna try my hand at making one sometime. maybe this summer at our club bow building in july

[Bowferd]

Eric, Call or PM me in June. I'd like to meet you and join in on the fun.

[EricW]

i'll try to remember. dates are on the NTA web site. Definately try to make it. I missd it last year. signed up for cornhusker state games and it happened to be same weekend. good planning on my part. this year different weekends.

[Bowferd]

Eric,
 Although I've never met you, I have conversed with you numerous times.
 Everyone else can ignore this post, but I want you to pay attention.
 Upstanding young man that I think you are.
 I'd like to present a challenge.
 Check out the St. Judes for 2010.
 Dig something out of your closet or locker, it doesn't have to be related to traditional archery, and donate it to the auction for the kids.
 I've saved a c note for the auction and I'll open the bid for the kids.
 I've actually been looking for some old paperback Louis L'Amour novels that I sold years ago.
 

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Three beautiful bows, there! Good for you!

[ron w]

Hey I remember that Bush Bow...lol, I'm glad you like it. It is a looking bow and it always caught my eye, Osage is just so nice...."ENJOY" !!!

[Bowferd]

ron w,
You're a gentleman and a sculpter!!!!
Here's what Ron did for me after I agreed to purchase the bow. He threw in (he said a small gift) a gift for this old hill climber.
Now I mean to tell you I absolutely love my GN's and especially this Bushbow, but Ron outdid himself on this little gift.
My new walking stick (small gift) isn't travelling out of my reach.
There's a very good chance that it might be presented to my best friend next month at his surprise 60th birthday party.
He's the finest man I've ever met in my entire life.
Rodney attained custody of his son and raised Levi when the boy was but a year and a half.
When I recieved custody of my 2 sons at age 11 and 12, this man gave me guidance.
His real name is Rodney W****
His hobby is carving. Wood, soapstone and whatever he can get hold of.
Like I said earlier should I decide to do this,
it will never be out of reach.
Thank you Ron W from Fredrick E and Rodney W.
RW carved into the shaft end makes this a relic.
  t.com/albums/z314/Bowferd/DSC02824.jpg[/IMG]

[Bowferd]

Something strange happened. Might have been a meteor.

[ron w]

I am glad you like it ,they are just something I do to keep me out of trouble when I'm not shoot'n or make'n arrows.I sell them, give them to fund raisers, and to folks that just need a cane or walkingstick. I trhew it in with the bow to sweeten the deal....lol. I guess it worked!!! Thanks again!