Made 1st English Hazel flat bow - few pics and Info

[globalmark]

Comments - questions - critiques and suggestions how can do anything better appreciated .


OK about a year ago i cut a few 4-5" diameter english hedgerow HAZELnut - this stuff is everywhere in the UK countryside - its about 11months kept debarked , split and made large staves - ends sealed with PVA and kept in Garage roof flat (same temp as outside)
Normally you can Make a English Longbow with Hazel and is supposedly pretty good - but i had enough English longbows with the Yew ones i made on other Post - so though see how they make a Flat Bow ...
not quite finished as putting oil on then wrap Handle .. but its Surprisingly a great Bow - shoots fast and accurate , very light weight and quite springy - also very nice to work with - used a Block plane after drawknife seemed to work better then a rasp - then file and sand ..
its only a light Bow as I wanted something my friends Kids could also shoot and was a experiment 23LBS and easy 30" but i like it even for a adult ..
couple pics and more will come when finished .
Pics

Log was cut from this 1 year ago - was already a fallen over but still growing little
Bow next to one the other staves
Bow and stave
Bow - brown bits are remaining cambium - as didn't do much to this outside la

[globalmark]

Side profile
Temp string
Ironwood nocks
Tillering

[globalmark]

Filed - sanded 120 -240Grit then sanding sealer - and used Finishing oil (bit like danish but dries faster and is clearer)
Oak Arrow rest
Oak arrow rest - cut to same profile as handle
1st coat of Oil - did this morning can get 3rd coat on tonight before bed - couple more coats tomorrow then dry and handle wrap time.
better start making string for it ..

[Possum Head]

Nice bend and tips and grooves really well done

[globalmark]

Thanks Mate
Just put on 3rd coat Oil - few more in the AM and will upload pics of it finished as soon as Have done

[globalmark]

Thanks Guys -
Bow just finished Now (apart from the string I still gotta make) - Love Hazel so might have to start another one now hahahaha this Bow making is addictive , none of the furniture i make is as much fun a table or a chair Practical yes but not fun but Bows well fun..

i did cut the leather Handle wrap a little bit short but cant be bothered to use another bit of leather up its still ok ..

few more pics
Used Hot glue to stick on the Arrow rest cut a taper in end of leather (also glue that on with spot of Hot glue)- start wrapping
when get to end i cut taper in other end Make sure correct length (not sure why but i cut to short today ?)
wrapped and then tuck end in with tiny bit glue
- I also added some COW hide with Hair on - i know had arrow Plate but i like the way the bow is protected and arrows slide over the cow hide (hair on and hair in direction of arrow travel) , this stuck on with contact adhesive (spray can , masked of areas dont want glue)

[globalmark]

Bow finished Pics
and Me drawing Bow - seems not holding string in centre - but gives general idea'

72" long - 2" (46mm at fades) 16mm thick
mid limb approx 32mm wide and 12.5mm thick
near tips 13mm (1/2") wide and 9mm thick approx as wood not straight
Handle 4" + 2.5" either sides to the taper
23lbs @ 30" easy will draw much further if want

Super nice Bow to shoot - seems fast for 23lbs to me and lots penetration in my Target Box .(large box with as many layers cardboard inside i can get - seems to stop arrows just great stops my 80lbs bows also no dramas)

Question - I just started with Wrapping Handles like this did the stitch up mainly before - but not 100% sure what supposed to do with final end i just tuck them in with bit of glue  - not many tutorials online as many people just do a thread wrap over the Tails -
if anyone knows a good tutorial link or offer suggestions would be great .. Thanks

[Pat B]

Very nice bend on that one, Mark.   

[Roy from Pa]

Nice..

[globalmark]

Thanks guys

[slowbowjoe]

I like the looks of that bow; nice to see something other than the typical English longbow. The flatbow design must have been used much earlier.