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https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl General >> Other Primitive Weapons >> My first stickbow https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1539382690 Message started by Mersa on Oct 12^th, 2018 at 6:18pm

Title: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Oct 12^th, 2018 at 6:18pm

I was lucky enough to obtain some black locust Robinia pseudoacacia
I have had 1 attempt with the skinnier of the staffs.
Result is a 60" 10#@28 but hey it shoots.

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Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by kicktheotter on Oct 13^th, 2018 at 3:37am

Not bad! That looks really good. I've been thinking the next big project (after I finish all the other big projects...) will be a bow. I already have the bow I made using old skis but a proper wood bow would be nice.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Oct 13^th, 2018 at 5:05am

It's addictive. I've tryed a few times . This is the best I've done but still lots to learn.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Morphy on Oct 13^th, 2018 at 2:59pm

He's been bitten by the bow building bug folks. It's all downhill from here! :)

Looking forward to more pics Mersa.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Bill Skinner on Oct 14^th, 2018 at 5:46pm

First slings. Then bows. Atlatls next. He's doomed.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by walter on Oct 14^th, 2018 at 10:47pm

Bill Skinner wrote on Oct 14^th, 2018 at 5:46pm:

First slings. Then bows. Atlatls next. He's doomed.

and very busy :)

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Oct 15^th, 2018 at 6:03am

Ha ha yeah it's the beginning of the end !!

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Nov 5^th, 2018 at 4:05am

Well in just over 24 hours I will know if I succeeded or failed, in the varnish waiting to dry and be strung up.

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Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by mountainman on Nov 16^th, 2018 at 3:06pm

That's a nice tiller to the bow, very even and good tapers on the tips. Its always best to start with low weight and work your way up. I always tried to make hunting weight bows and always took too much wood off and ended with 20# pulls. I ruined 7 staves before I really felt like I had a good hunting bow. Fortunately I used local wood instead of buying staves.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Nov 16^th, 2018 at 3:50pm

Well I have the bug that's for sure.
I ended up only getting 10# @ 28" but hey it's my first bow that I got to this stage and the wood was green knotty and snakey propeller twist.
The remainder of the staves are in different working stages but hopefully I can increase the weights as I learn .

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Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by joe_meadmaker on Nov 16^th, 2018 at 7:29pm

I agree with mountainman, the low draw weight aside, the bow looks great. My first bow was also a low draw weight. I think it came out at 22 or 23 lb @ 28". But to this day I still shoot it on occasion.

Is all the wood you're working with black locust? That's definitely a good bow wood. But not one I've worked with personally.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Nov 16^th, 2018 at 7:32pm

Yes it is , black locust or as I knew it Robinia pseudoacacia , I'm an arborist so I'm lucky enough that the wood comes from trees I have removed. Free wood allows for more mistakes in the learning process.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Sarosh on Nov 17^th, 2018 at 4:49am

I'm currently working with black locust. very nice wood colors!

With bow making I either go too fast at the pulling or at the removing of wood :P

Nice job with those knots.

Title: Re: My first stickbow
Post by Mersa on Nov 28^th, 2018 at 4:44pm

I have bow no2 and no3 basically ready for final sand and varnish. Getting better but still lots to learn.
Bow no2 (slapstick) roughly 45#@20" 46inch strung 5inch brace

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