Black Walnut Pyramid 54" w/handle

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I started a Black walnut pyramid bow 54" N2N looking for 50-55#@25". I added a linen backing because the grain wasn't that nice (to me). It is 2.5" at the fades and tapered down to .5" at the tips. I have it at 4.25" of brace from the back of the bow. Here some pic's right now. Please tell me what You think.
 
 
 
 
 

[Apex Predator]

Crank that sucker back to 28 inches, and I'll tell you what I think!     Looking good so far.  How far you plannin to draw her?

[JEFF B]

looking good bro!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

trying different wood and length. I am trying to do a smaller hunting bow. It is a pyramid style bow and I did some work to get it about 6" now (from tip 2 tip) I just have to make the string shorter to hold brace.
 

Apex, I'm trying for 50-55#@25".

Kiwi, if this one comes out under weight it might be the one I send you.

[JEFF B]

but bro i draw 26" not 25" LOL!!!! anyway i have seen the one you are making me you sent pics of it. LOL!!!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

It would be 26" back side of bow, well 26.5" since the handle Belly side to bows back is 1.5". I tiller my bows to the belly side of the handle to anchor.

[JEFF B]

ok you win.  

[Pat B]

Nice little bow, Sal. You have better luck with BW than me!     Pat

[sulphur]

looking good.  I just made a pyrmid maple bow, 2.25" and 62 ntn.  I am having a little stacking problem though. If you get the whole limb working you can avoid stacking i think,  more of a circular tiller.  keep at it man!!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Not that much luck Pat. As I got both limbs to match I started to work on the draw & also changed my mind. I was going to make it 40-45# then I saw it... A splinter on the back of the upper limb. Then bow was still at brace so I added some glue ( off brand of super glue, I hope it works ). Would it be ok if I added a wrap at the splinter to help hold it down? I will try anyway, but would like to know if others have done it.

I drew it to about 40#@13" so I stopped. I work on it come Saturday or Sunday, just to give a good curing time.

[Pat B]

A wrap should work if the splinter isn't too long and a matching wrap on the other limb makes it look like decoration. The super glue will do most of the work anyhow.
   My problem with backed BW bows is fretting. Pat

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanx Pat. I'll match the wrap on the other limb the start tillering again Saturday or Sunday.

[John Scifres]

Sal,

I wish you well and I am not saying we all shouldn't try new things.  But that is a very aggressive design for the wood.  I don't think I could do it.  Walnut is pretty weak in compression.  A rigid-handled 54" bow, even for a 25" draw, is super short from any wood.  Maybe osage and sinew would do it.

As for the splinter, definitely wrap it.  You can reduce your weight to about 30# and probably make it work.

Good luck.  Have fun.  Wear eye protection and use a tiller tree  

Next time, use the walnut for handle accents and tip overlays on an oak board bow that is 70" or so.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

John, I should have made this bow long, I do agree on that. BUt I need to know what I can and can't do since I'm a newbie to making bows. It took me 12 bows to make one nice 70"N2N red oak pyramid bow ( the one in my Avatar ).

I have a 60" board of red oak that I will try doing a bow with that too. Come next spring/summer I have the OK to cut down a few trees/saplings. There is lots of sassafras trees where I hunt and I want to try that wood for a bow or 2.

If we didn't have so much humidity here I would love to make a real sinew backed bow.

I might even drop the draw length down to 23" or so, this is all just a learning thingy for me & I am having fun doing it.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well I worked on the Bow yesterday and got it to 20" @40# very nice bend in both limbs that matched. As I was getting a drink of water and the bow was at brace it blow. just above the wrap I did. O-well back to the drawing board.

[Pat B]

Too bad Sal but like John said that is a bit short for the wood. On a bow that short I would have it bending through out the entire length of the bow....Cherokee or Eastern Woodland style.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I know Pat, the board was only 5/8" thick and from the TBB I, the modoc style. But since it was thinner then .75" I added the handle and was going for more of a pyramid style.

[Pat B]

That's how we learn!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yes we do, and It's fun to try and make them. I might try Black Walnut again but on a Man size bow. Next is a 58"N2N red oak, then after that 67" & up only. Well till I get a stave of Osage and try that.

I have been chasing rings on some of the staves I have of ash just to get me ready for Osage.

Might cut down a sassafras tree Tomorrow since no Sunday hunting in Jersey.