My first osage stave! ... It is finished!!...

[Draffish]

well done mate glad its turned out nice for you looks one sweet bow      
im on the side of keep the wood natural let the yellow osage be seen
again grats

[Echatham]

well the first coat of tru oil is on (no stain).  i dished the handle only very slightly. feels good. sanded it all down with 400 grit in the sunlight (amazing what the sun will show you in the way of tool marks). wiped it down with denatured alcohol just to get the dust off without getting water on the wood. will be able to get 3 coats on tonight and thats all it wants i think. will take the shine out with 0000 steel wool. tomorrow is handle wrap day.

[Echatham]

here's my handle by the way
 

[BCWV]

You built a fine bow Eric. You do good work what ever type you build.      
 What's next on the list? A glass bow?

[Zradix]

Looks clean and smooth bro.

I like the way the curve on the back mirrors the grip.
..almost like you bent/pushed the grip into the wood.

Pretty sweet.
   

[Echatham]

Thanks BCWV, i thought a glass bow would be next, but now im not so sure.  I have been shooting my fedora R/D longbow for the last couple weeks since i gave up on the boo on the BBI, and i have been shooting terrible. its cut past center and screws up my sight picture, and it just doesnt feel right. shooting this bow today felt right, somehow wood bows feel snappier, even though not as fast. is that all in my head? do glass bows have a different, maybe even lesser, feel than a wood bow to anyone else?

[BCWV]

I feel the same way Eric,

 I've got a bunch of glass bows from high end ILF, Black Widows, Shrews, NM hill style and 3 glass bows that I've made but none feel as good to me, at the shot,  as my wood bows. I'm really enjoying my BBO at the moment and am waiting on the finish to cure on my first BBI.

 Just something about a wood bow, especially one you made yourself.

[halfseminole]

Man, we're gonna have to get together and shoot... your bow.  Mine looks like a heap, even if it can do some serious stick-moving.  The only thing that keeps me from being ashamed of mine is that it's made of things that keep me connected to my son.  Yours however, looks to be a work of art.  You should be proud.

[Steve Kendrot]

I think you'll be happy leaving it natural color. One of the pleasures of an Osage bow is watching it change in color as it ages. It's such complex grain... Chatoyance I think they call it. Beautiful wood that only gets better as it mellows.  Congrats on a great looking bow. I've been shooting mine in too so I know the feeling.

[mwosborn]

That is a fine looking bow.  Very nice - like reading your progress as you made it.  Thanks for sharing.

[Echatham]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! just got the third coat of tru oil on, hopefully should be pretty well cured by the time i get out of work tomorrow and ready for handle dressing.  supposed to be another monsoon hitting tomorrow and into friday, so might have to wait to shoot it again    :(     I could go down to the archery club and shoot indoors... haven't been there in so long i don't know if i can remember the combo to the gate.  when i shot a compound i was there all the time.... all i had to do was shoot.  this trad thing is a little more involved haha these days if i have a spare moment im in the workshop!  HalfSeminole i hope we can get together. I will make it a point to contact you next time im down.

[Echatham]

It's done!
 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bowjunkie]

Nice. I like that full draw profile.

[BCWV]

Very nice!!!

[jsweka]

Well done Eric.  

[Echatham]

Thanks guys! can't wait to go shoot it tomorrow. of course it has to be raining and getting dark when it's finally done.    

[Zradix]

Very classy Eric!

A bow to be proud of for sure.
       

[Roy from Pa]

I GUESS IT'S OK...

[Echatham]

oooooh... CAPSLOCK...    

[Steve Kendrot]

Nice job. Really like the lines of those flipped tips.