Curly Maple / black walnut Long bow

[Kirkll]

Here is a long bow I just finished with spliced limb veneers and an offset G-10 I beam. 62” 54@27” draw weight. Walnut/  Lace maple spliced limb veneers. The added weight of the G-10 I beam really gives this bow a nice balance in the hand.

Btw….. I used my new bamboo in this bow and I’m very pleased with performance.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ubyqE84AsVoJxzLx8

Kirk

[TC209X50]

Looks really nice, love the maple!

[Crooked Stic]

That's a cool looking grip shape.

[Sam Harper]

That is really cool. I like the walnut on the belly and maple on the back.

[Sam Harper]

That is really cool. I like the walnut on the belly and maple on the back.

I looked again, and it looks like you have the maple and walnut on the back AND belly. Still looks awesome.

[Kirkll]

Any time you use black walnut under clear glass, there is always a chance of seeing more imperfections in the clear glass. This one had pretty clear glass with minimal imperfections. But some of them show cloudy spots, tiny air bubbles, and even micro cracks in the glass over time.  I warn all my customers of these possibilities and do not guarantee the clear glass. You never know when it’s going to happen.

That grip shape is a cross between a dish and a locator style, and has a flat spot where your thumb pad settles into the grip so your hand settles into the same spot each time.   Kirk

[chefrvitale]

The spliced veneers look great.
I love the way you balanced the two woods.

[garyschuler]

Nice!!!

[Kirkll]

Here is the build album showing some different photos as I went along if you guys are interested.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SQbr4YYnbMGDfy2B7

[Ajooter]

That maple is killer.  I like that riser design as well.

[Kirkll]

That maple is killer.  I like that riser design as well.

When I came up with this riser design, I wanted to be able to use a 4” riser block and put a high wrist sculptured grip on them too.

Here is a Black and white ebony bow that came out of the same form with a custom grip shape built to specifications.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HLWeoXsw5MD5Lsdz9

And this is the Stealth version with a V notch shelf and the top belly ramp going clear to the shelf.

https://goo.gl/photos/gbVoVZEjRJ21q1uy7

They all come out of the same form….

[Ajooter]

Those are all nice looking bows!  I like the grain in that stealth version.  I'm a selfbkw man myself for now but who knows what will happen in the future.

[Kirkll]

Those are all nice looking bows!  I like the grain in that stealth version.  I'm a selfbow man myself for now but who knows what will happen in the future.

Too much heart break in self bows for me... Investing so much time and TLC into something that is so sensitive to humidity changes and MC levels isn't something i'm interested in building. Longevity isn't synonymous with self bows at all...

I've got an Osage stave i chased the rings on over 10 years ago, and put it back on the shelf. I really should finish that project one of these years...


Good luck with your adventures...  Kirk

[Longtoke]

Sweeeeet riser. I love that style and the hidden Ibeam is a real class act way to build a bow Imo.

[Kirkll]

Sweeeeet riser. I love that style and the hidden Ibeam is a real class act way to build a bow Imo.

There is a huge amount of pressure on these risers, and when you start building longer risers such as 19" to 21" risers, the deflection in the riser itself  becomes quite noticeable. Even a 17" riser can have flex to it. The amount depends solely on the type of wood used, and the draw weight. The G-10 I beam eliminates this deflection completely, even in high draw weight bows. I have several bows out there with Walnut risers that are 19" in length with 80-115# limbs that have been going strong for years and are shot a lot.

Even using a wood I beam makes a huge difference in riser deflection. I've tested these with dial indicators and 100# limbs on a tiller tree. Footed risers do a lot of good too until you get over 60#-70#. After that, i highly recommend the I-beam procedure.    Kirk