When I was a wee lad I remember about 3 times my Dad pulling out his 1960 Herters target bow and shooting in the back yard. Before my oldest living brother was born Dad would go to the 3 Feathers Archery Club and shoot a round or two, very respectfully, from what Mom said. (BTW, this is the same course Darrel Pace, former Olympian Gold metalist used to shoot at. It is now a housing development. Too bad) But, with the advent of 5 children responsibilities prevailed and the old bow was regulated to the back of the closet.
Those few memories of Dad at full draw have been a strong pull on my mind over the years. There is not many sights prettier than a recurve bow pulled to ancor when looking on from the side. Interesting how brief visions stay so strong in our lives to grow into later pursuits.
Over the past year and a half I've shared on here my progression into the FG recurve bow building from the all wood bows I originally started out shaping. I still love all wood bows but wanted to create something in the line of Dad's Herters that I still shoot over 50 years after he purchased it.
This is my last bow built to date. Life has taken some very unforseen turns and twists in 2011. Everything, except God, has shifted sideways so any thought of crafting in greater numbers went up in smoke but I am pleased that my goal to make the one bow I will be happy to carry afield for decades to has come came to pass.
The photos are not that great but hopefully you will see well enough.
This is one bow, sans the fiberglass and phenolic, that I actually built myself. In that I mean I ground the limb laminations instead of purchasing. I've been very pleased with Kenny M's products on all the other FG builds I've made and highly recommend them to anyone. This spring, though, I built my own lam grinder and these osage limbs were my maiden voyage using this machine. I am extremely satisfied with the outcome.
The wood is all local domestic hardwood. The osage is easy to recognize. The white wood is ash. I really sought a contrast for this riser. The picture detail is not forthcoming in showing the 1/16" accent strips of osage and ash sandwiching the black phenoclic. They are touching the opposing wood on either side of the black accent. Just a little something to give more appeal to the bow, in my opinion.
Using the same wood combination along with the phenolic to allow fast flight string to the tips. I didn't think to photo the riser overlay but it is designed to match the tips, as well.
As we were getting the equipment ready to run beans the day I took these pictures it made sense to prop the braced bow against the combine tire for effect. Hopefully it can assist me in harvesting another type of crop from the edge of the beanfield.
A sample of the osage under the clear glass, from KennyM, of course, and the obligatory markings designating this weapon's specs and date of finish.
My camera is about kaput so what this photo should show is my dedication to my Dad. I named this bow "Franklin's Influence" as my Dad, Frank, was the man who originally introduced me to the captivating endevour of archery.
This is the MAN who inspired this bow and me.
Now, on occassion, we get our bows out and shoot the hay bale or even venture onto the 3D course for a morning's enjoyment. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend these times with my father all these years later.
Thanks for looking,
Christopher
Topic: Latest Recurve Build (Read 706 times)
