Hey Shaun Webb..this still shooting?

[the Ferret]

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=40;t=000061

Just wondering how it's holding up.

[Shaun]

Mickey et al. That bow is holding up just fine. The only problem it has ever had is losing tip overlays. I have had to re glue  three or four times one end or the other and even remake one that got lost. Not sure why the tips kept popping off but it seems to have grown out of it, have not had that problem with other self bows. I re worked the handle shape a while back to see if I liked a more locater style, not sure still.

I am on the road (sorry to report working not hunting) but headed home in a few days. Will post some pics when I get back.

[TimZeigler]

Shaun,
could the problem be that its absorbing moisture and causing it to swell?  When you said it was outgrowing the tips, that was the first thing that popped into my head.  Maybe needs to be resealed?

Tim

[Shaun]

Tim, I think it may have been the opposite, that is the stave was less than six months out of the tree and it may well have been still drying. My experience is that osage is stable after fully dried. It also took some set because of moisture while tillering - or my lack of tillering skill. Still a fine bow design all around.

[the Ferret]

Well you're 3/5 of the way thru the 5 year trial period as set up in the original premise. Glad to hear it's still shooting.

I thought it took a little too much set originally but wasn't about to say anything negative about such a fine bow. With the 2 1/2 inches on induced reflex from the caul, you should have come out with  1/2" or more of positive reflex when rested after tillering and shooting.

With regards to the overlays popping off, that's why I never recommend anything be glued to a wooden hunting bow that could cause the bow not to function if lost. A glue line is just a possible failure point. Sure we glue on floppy rests, leather handle wraps and snakeskins,even sinew, but none of those will keep a bow from functioning if lost while on a hunting trip.

I still believe that is the finest rigid handle bow design for an osage hunting bow.