New "Sassy" Stringfollow longbow

[Hatrick]

Here's a stringfollow longbow I just finished for a friend of mine. He wanted all native american woods starting with a sassafras core. This is the first I've made with sassafras as a core but it won't be the last. It came out very smooth and quiet with surprisingly good cast.

Brown glass on the back, osage veneer on the belly, curly maple riser with a walnut stripe and two thin strips of osage. Elk antler on the tips. straight Hill style grip.

My friend Bob has been having some shoulder issues and wanted something in the 40# or less range. Like me, he's a bit vertically challenged as well so he didn't want it too long. It's 63" and 38# @ 28".

       

     

     

   

   

 

 

[pauljr]

Nice

[ethan]

Sassafrass is GREAT in a longbow!!  I've probalby made close to a dozen with sass. and it's honestly my favorite.  I've actually got a sass. longbow in the oven downstairs right now.  Can't beat the way it smells either!!  

Good job on the bow to!

[jsweka]

That's a very nice looking classy longbow.

Your friend should love it.

[kennym]

Looks great!!        

I may have to build a string follow to see what the ruckus is about!!  :D

[cahaba]

Looks great. May I ask what are the dimensions of the handle? It looks perfect.  I love Hill style stringfollow longbows.

[Goshawkin]

WOW!!!! Beautiful work,that walnut/osage strip in the riser looks great.

[toddster]

Sweet, great job

[Hatrick]

ethan, interesting that you have one in the works right now. Have you stained it and used clear glass over it? I might try a piece except I don't have any with particularly good looking grain character. I'll say this, it's light in mass weight and easy to grind for lams. I was impressed and wondered why I don't hear of more bowyers using it. I'm planning another with the same riser woods just a bit heavier for me.

kennym, they're interesing and a bit tamer in the hand than a stright Hill style. they'll grow on you quick if you don't watch out.   :D  

cahaba, For whatever reason I never took the dimensions of the handle...but should have. I just ground it out until it felt right.

Thanks all for the nice compliments.

[Brianlocal3]

Outstanding work brother. I would like one day to be able to learn this skill.

[RC]

Good job Dave. Nice looking bow.RC

[GreyGoose]

Wow!  That bow looks able!

[ron w]

      Very nice......I talked to Mike Tredway and he swears by Sassafras as a bow wood!

[Mike Mongelli]

Great looking bow!

[ethan]

Hatrick, I've actually used clear over all the bows I've done with sass.  I have stained some in the pass and it does take stain nicely, but you really don't need to.  It has an almost "greenish-hue" to it if that makes any sense.  It actually looks alot like red elm.  

Don't try using it in a recurve though unless it's just veneers.  Learned that lesson the hardway!!  

[Hatrick]

ethan, thanks for that information. I have enough sassafras left over to make probably 2 more bows and will try some clear glass over the next one. As always, my biggest problem is finding the time.

[ethan]

Hatrick, I know the feelin!!  Wish I could figure out how to post pics here.  Like to see your next one!