Let's see some eye candy

[talkingcabbage]

I need some help guys.  I've got a good friend in the millitary who wants me to build three bows for his buddys (also millitary boys), and he wants them extra nice.  These are guys he's been to war and back with.  

I really want to build some "fancy" bows for these guys because I hold all veterans and millitary in high regards, for thier service to our country, and I want to give them something nice.  To really stretch my ability and go all out. So give me some ideas of good wood combinations, nice accents, or anything that could make these bows look extra 'fancy'.  I'd love to be able to build some like the Blacktail bows, but I'm still a few years off from being able to do that just yet  

Let's show off some fancier bows, or ones with nice grained woods or accents that just pop.  What's your favorite bow?

[wood carver 2]

You could possibly find out where each of the men is from and include local woods from their home States.
Also, the U.S. mint has some really cool commemorative medallions that could be set in the risers.
Dave.

[cosgood]

You could also include their branch colors or even better, their individual military occupation colors. Infantry,  light blue stripe in riser, etc

[cosgood]

You could also include their branch colors or even better, their individual military occupation colors. Infantry,  light blue stripe in riser, etc

[J. Holden]

See about a service ribbon that would be worn on their dress uniforms.  You could probably recess that into their risers.

Snake skins might be cool, an easy upgrade.

Antler limb bolts if you're building take downs.

-Jeremy  

[J. Holden]

Here is an Afghanistan service ribbon:
  https://store.nwtmint.com/product_details/4575/afghanistan_campaign_service_ribbon  

And an Iraq service ribbon:
  https://store.nwtmint.com/product_details/4745/Iraq_Campaign_Service_Ribbon/  

They're not very large.  Just a thought...

-Jeremy    

[jsweka]

Originally posted by wood carver 2:
You could possibly find out where each of the men is from and include local woods from their home States.
 

I like that idea! Exotics are nice, but there's still something special about nice curly maple, walnut, osage, and elm.

[ty_in_ND]

Originally posted by jsweka:
 

Originally posted by wood carver 2:
You could possibly find out where each of the men is from and include local woods from their home States.
 

I like that idea! Exotics are nice, but there's still something special about nice curly maple, walnut, osage, and elm. [/b]

I also like the idea of using domestic woods. Toss in something like black cherry and eastern red cedar and you could make some very stunning domestic wood bows (not to mention something like maple can be dyed pretty easily if you want other colors).

Also, Jeremy linked the designs for the service ribbons.  Either of them would make a striking mosaic pattern on a riser.

[Bodork]

I made a bow several years ago to send to the troops in Iraq for recreation time. I had an American flag and an Eagle laser engraved on the bamboo veneers before I glued it up. A trophy shop did it for me. Cost about $10.00. A nice addition and they can do about anything you want.

   

   

 I also inlaid a ribbon I made from hard maple that I dyed.

   

[Pheonixarcher]

Bodork, that is outstanding! Good on you. That bow looks sweet as well.