Started tillering a jatoba selfbow with static tips today for the bow swap. I thought that ****** would really like something in an exotic wood. It was hard to come to terms with giving this bow away but I managed, since I figured it'd be loved by it's soon to be owner. Had intended the bow to be in the 50# range and 62" long. That is until it exploded in my hands as I brought it to full draw for the first time.
This bow was a looker, so it killed me to watch it explode. And explode is the only word I can use, it was instantaneous, no warning, just jagged pointy splinters that are insanely sharp and brittle flying about. This will be the last time I try jatoba as a selfbow - it was just too damn scary to have to check myself for gashes and blood loss. Gimme back that hickory, sweet sweet tension safe hickory.
On the plus side it was looking like it would take almost no set, and had a fantastic look and feel. I dont think it was meant to be and I wonder how it would have coped with a cut to center shelf as I had intended.
Here are the pics for your enjoyment ... I doubt I'll be the first one done with my swap bow but I think this makes me the first this year to blow one up. Better luck to everyone else.
I'll be starting tillering on a 54" hickory flatbow in a style somewhere between the modern and the traditional with a built up handle but probably simple pin nocks. Mild reflex/deflex profile, and a mild cutaway into the riser. Shooting for about 0-1" of resting reflex after shoot in.
The more bows I build the more I fall in love with hand cut and split staves. Theres just something fascinating about bringing the whole thing full circle. Hopefully this flatbow pans out, otherwise I'm down to only two more backups, a heat treated hickory ELB of ~72" nearly finished, and a sinew backed ERC which is my first sinew bow and I'm nervous to give away due to potential for failure.
Topic: TG BOW SWAP 2012 (pics and post) (Read 45766 times)
