2nd Bow: Hickory Whip

[nlester]

I just finished my 2nd bow.  It's a hickory board bow with walnut tip overlays and walnut riser.  The price was right...it was all free.  I could've had this done much sooner had it not been for hunting season.  I'd say this winter I'll use my time a little more wisely and get a few bows made and hopefully do a better job.  He's coming in right at 60 @ 28 and 62" long.  I think that's about the length I like a selfbow.  Couldn't go much shorter with a board bow.  The bow is in a pyramid style.  For some reason I like the flatbow look.  I know its not for everyone, but its appealing to my eye.  He's whip tillered and I learned another lesson....stay away from the last 8 inches of the tips.  Thanks Roy!  Lesson learned.  I actually took some of the whip out but decided to stop where I was because I didn't want to sacrifice any more poundage.  That's why I'm calling him the Hickory Whip.  If he blows up I'll call him the Whipper Snapper.     I'm going to put a finish on him and add a piece of horn for the shelf(something I saw on one of Stick N Strings bows he's in the process of making).  I was gonna shoot off my hand, but I thought the horn would be a nice touch.  I'll add some pics of the finished bow.  As for now, here's what it looks like thus far.  Still learning and growing as an amateur green horn bowyer.  

   

[BigErn]

Looks great!
               Ernie

[Roy from Pa]

Not bad for your second bow. But yes, ya gotta stay away from those tips:)

[mwosborn]

I am with you - I like the looks of the flat bow too.  How's it shoot?

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Looks pretty good Nathan. You'll get better with everyone you build.

 Come on down and we'll do some scrapin' or knappin'
Let me know if you need some buff horn or antler.
 Stiks

[canopyboy]

"whipper snapper"

 

[okie64]

Looks pretty good. My first few bows were pretty whip-tillered too. I'm a flatbow guy myself also, I just like the way they look.

[nlester]

The bow shoots pretty well. It is a little "shocky" but not too bad.  I really tried to bring the tips down to a small point to reduce that.  It helped tremendously.  Thanks for looking.  Hoping the next bow will be better.  I'll try and post the bow as a "finished product" as soon as possible.

[nlester]

Any suggestions of a type of finish to put on this bow?  Not a fan of the white wood, and I'm not sure how dark Tru-Oil will get it.

[gringol]

tru-oil won't make it dark.  I just used it on a hickory bow.  I'll make it look wet.  Doesn't look bad, but not dark.  I'm interested to hear other option as well.

[Eric Krewson]

Tru-oil will make it light tan and it may darken a little over time. Hickory takes stain well, I have used Minwax, leather dye and any other wood stain I have in my shop with good results. I put leather handles on my bows so I test the stain on a part of the bow that will be covered with leather to see if I like it.

[nlester]

Eric, what do you seal the stain with?