primitive bow care help

[hs6181]

I've been looking at and wanting one of these for a while and finally got one coming soon.

My problem is I don't really know how to care for it and this is a older bow. It might be in need of some special care and some small repair.
  58", osage, 55#@28, sinew and bullsnake.
I need all the tips I can get on taking care of and shooting a sinew backed bow. You can see where the edge of the skin is lifting below the handle.
Thanks

[Minuteman]

Super glue, dude!Wooden bows are different than fg bows but they arent completely different. Just keep it dry, wax it a coupla times a year and learn how to string it properly. You also can't leave it strung for days like a fg bow.

[the Ferret]

Nice looking bow, know who the maker was?

Minuteman gave you most of the basics but I would add, don't stand it in a corner, rather lay it flat or hang it on a couple of pegs. When stringing make sure your lower string is lined up in the groove and in the center of the limb (especially since it's a static) before putting any tension on it and once strung verify the strings are in the grooves properly. Then before shooting draw it 1/4, draw it half, draw it 3/4 and finally full draw a couple times rather than just stringing it and snapping it to full draw.

Don't leave it strung in a hot car (it won't delaminate like a glass bow wood) but it may get hot enought that the pressure from being strung could pull out a staic tip and be careful not to shut the tip in the car door.

Other than that enjoy your new bow. Looks like a dandy. Try and get some cane arrows fletched with natural barred turkey feathes to shoot out of it and a back or Lakota quiver to complete the outfit.

[hs6181]

Thanks for the info guys

Mickey
The bow was made by Bill McNeal, I'm told he was quite the character on the old ***********.
The gentleman I'm getting it from,
Daryl Harding, bought it at Joe Mattinglys benefit auction.

I've never been as excited about getting a bow as I am about this one. It seems like somethings not right here lately, I dont seem to be happy with anything(bows) I get nowdays, I think this might help with that problem.

I'll be checking out the how to section about those river cane arrows you spoke of and the lokata style quiver    I feel like a little kid before Christmas

[the Ferret]

Harold my first osage bow was made from a piece of wood that Bill McNeal gave me and was named  "Contrary" after him. He also sent me his static form to use and copy when I first got into bow building experimentation many moons ago. Yes he was a character back in those days (well still is but we don't get to enjoy him much these days) and went by many names at times to get around the *********** censors ha ha .Bills problem was he was firm in his convictions and outspoken to the point of annoyance. I remember the first time I met Bill at Denton Hill. I was standing talking to Gary Davis and this voice booms out from like 100 yards away "HEY FERRET"! I walked up to see who was bellowing and it was Bill, and he was nothing like his *********** persona. Warm, friendly, articulate, good firm handshake that let you know he was talking man to man and meant it. I have liked Bill McNeal a lot ever since. We used to exchange Christmas cards but lost touch over the years. Heck of a fellow, would give you the shirt off his back, and a heck of a bow builder. He specialized in statics. You are getting a great bow by one of the best (unknown) bowmakers I know (and a great bowhunter as well).Wasn't too many years ago that he contracted Lymes disease and had a pretty tough go of it for quite a while but last time I talked to him (maybe a year ago?) he was feeling better.

Prolly more than you want to know. Sorry.

Haven't seen or talked to Daryl in a few years either..how's he doing? Tell him I said Hi and to get his butt to Cloverdale next month.

[hs6181]

Mickey, sorry lol, all I can say is THANK YOU, I love hearing just about anything to do with the history and people here at tradgang, *********** or any other trad groups and it only gets better when it involves a bow for me        

When I get to where I can make those arrows and quiver with a little skill, Im planning to try my hand at making a osage bow. I just couldnt wait that long to get one and this one seemed perfect.
I think I found out what was missing for me.

I had picked out and was about to buy a Bob Lee signature longbow then I saw this bow  

[Bowferd]

I've been working with wood and leather since 11 and now 57. All the super glue talk has me a bit concerned. It drys out leather and probably wood. Draws moisture to cure. There is a supply house in Stockton ,CA that specializes in leather products. You can probably find it on a search engine. Fitgeralds I think, I used to do quite a bit of business with them. They sell products thay are proven in the industry for Professional use. If you can not buy from them direct, then let me know and I will see what I can do. Bowferd/ I do not like to help wood or leather deteriorate, they are a gift.

[hs6181]

Got it today and I do love it. I didnt expect a primitive style bow to be so quick and easy to shoot. Almost no hand shock at all and the arrows go right where Im looking. Sorry, I cant do a shooting pic by myself.
       I just cleaned it up a little with a damp cloth and waxed it, looks real nice.
Now all I need is a matching osage, sinew and snakeskin longbow to go with it.          

[hs6181]

belly shined up real nice.
 

[the Ferret]

Beautiful bow. Hope you have a long and happy relationship with her.  

Congrats again

[4runr]

That is a sweet bow and a great story to go with it. I'm greatful for Mickey's (and others) knowledge about people who "been here done this"!!

[hs6181]

I do have one last question, I spoke with Daryl (Ive never met a nicer fella) this morning and he was telling me that Bill swore by fastflight strings on his selfbows.

Just about everything I've read warns against using ff on this type of bow but it seems like I remember reading somewhere about another selfbowyer who also used ff on his bows.

Daryl said Bills thinking was probably, "If it breaks, I'll build myself another" but that want be happening with me anytime soon. I cant tell for sure but I think this is dacron on the bow right now.

The string is worn pretty good right now and I was gonna holler at Chad Weaver, maybe send his this string and get him to see what material it is and make me a couple more.

I am so happy with the way it shoots and the cast of the bow, whatever this string is, dacron/fastflight, another just like it would be perfect.

Anyway back to the question, so what do yall think, dacron or fastflight???

[Adam Keiper]

Oh man, you've got a "Big Straight Bill" bow!  When I was getting into bowmaking, Bill offered to have me visit his place for some bowmaking tips.  I spent an afternoon drawknifing some osage with him.  Great guy.  He sent me home with an osage stave that has since rid my yard of a number of "nuisances".  He was a die hard osage enthusiast, who's convictions certainly had an affect on my preferences as well.

I concur that a little superglue under that skin will work fine.  Hold the skin down for half a minute with a pair of screwdrivers or the like until the glue takes some bite.  Can you tell what finish might be on it?  I remember Bill took a liking to ordinary boiled linseed oil.  If that's the case, you can lightly sand your repair and touch up with the same.  

Liquid hide glue would be another good bet, but you'll do best to moisten the skin slightly with a wet Q-tip swabbed under the skin before fixing.  Use some guaze wrapping to hold it down while it dries.

Fastflight is fine for selfbows.  I prefer Dynaflight 97, personally, as I think it's quieter and stretches less.  I add two extra 8" strands in each loop to thicken them up a little to help prevent them from cutting into the wood.  Probably not necessary on osage, but it's a safety measure that I do all the same.  I've never had any trouble with it in perhaps 80-something selfbows.  I'm sure fastflight never gave Bill any problems, either.

[hs6181]

wow, I never would have thought about using the ff but it looks like that's what it'll be, Thanks Adam.

Sounds like Mr McNeal was a positive influence on a lot of folks.

I've spent almost every waking moment the last 2 days either shooting, waxing or just holding the bow in my hands looking at it, running my fingers over the limbs, tips, feeling the sinew under the snakeskin.      
I don't want to put it down.  

[the Ferret]

You'll find yourself doing that while you are deer hunting as well, when you should be paying attention ha ha

Something special about something made of natural materials by a craftsman.