The variety that exists with selfbows is truly endless. Let's see what's hanging on your wall.
I'll start with this John Strunk. 62", 57#@27". Rawhide backed yew from 2001. It has a timeless shape that goes back to bow relics that are 8000 years old. Talk about traditional.
(http://i.imgur.com/G6eJfV8.jpg) (https://imgur.com/G6eJfV8)
(http://i.imgur.com/1B8eXrE.jpg) (https://imgur.com/1B8eXrE)
(http://i.imgur.com/sWtzxRQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/sWtzxRQ)
A few by Nels Grumley
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Grumley1.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/grumley2.jpg)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Grumley3.jpg)
Wow Charlie. Fantastic.
I have a few that I made but this picture posting thing has me puzzled.
Nice!!
Nice! I want to jump into making self bows but need a mentor besides just online stuff and books. Think I'll start carving on a maple sapling this weekend. Good stuff guys, let's see some more!
Nice Bows!!! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Ghost Dog, I've gotta ask, and hope you can forgive my ignorance here. Everything I know about self bows can be shoved up a flea's butt......
What is that "deal/thing" to the right of your grip area that has some dots on it and some sorta scroll type of stuff on it? Is it something to just prop the bow up for photos? :confused:
Jimmie
QuoteOriginally posted by JNewton:
Nice Bows!!! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Ghost Dog, I've gotta ask, and hope you can forgive my ignorance here. Everything I know about self bows can be shoved up a flea's butt......
What is that "deal/thing" to the right of your grip area that has some dots on it and some sorta scroll type of stuff on it? Is it something to just prop the bow up for photos? :confused:
Jimmie
I had a feeling somebody would ask about that. It's a piece of broken pottery I used to keep the bow from turning on it's side. :)
John Strunk bows are sweet. The subtle way he coordinated the dips and flares to flex ever so slightly very near to the handle. It takes finesse and great care to pull that off... to use those portions to allow for more 'working limb' while creating minimal strain at any one spot of the transition areas. That bow blends the best qualities of a stiff handled bow with those of a bow that bends through the handle. That's my favorite handle shape too. Superb!
Nice looking bows!
I have my first self bow coming. Made by Mark Smaltzer (bowmakr); its a r/d osage heat treated bow. 62" 48" @28".
I have never shot or even held a self bow but always wanted one. I am looking for to it.
Guys, building selfbows aren't brain surgery. So simple even a cave man can do it. :rolleyes:
Photobucket stole all my pics. If I can recover some or find pics elsewhere I'll post them here.
John Strunk
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Strunk7.jpg) (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Strunk2.jpg) (http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/Strunk1.jpg)
I've got a 70" 52# osage (unbacked) Built by an Alabama Bowyer named Wes. It is so much fun to shoot and I'm not sure if a bow could get quieter. I took her out stumping yesterday. I bought it last year and didn't practice out of my deer stand with it so I didn't take it hunting but would love to take a deer with it. If I was smart enough I would send a pic but I'll start that when the process becomes as simple enough for an idiot!
I bought this one cheap off my local CL. Sanded off the old finish and added a few coats of poly. Also added a leather shelf and handle but didn't take pics yet. It had "50" ink-stamped under the old rest, but it stacks at my draw. No idea who made it. 66" ttt. It has a lot of set in the limbs, but if it's not a shooter for me I'll hang it in the shack til my son can shoot it.
(http://i.imgur.com/BCudd2B.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/U1m3dHw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hyuCnAa.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pjVzdmW.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/XVNfx3B.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/zV4I4sB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/44wV670.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UIRhg42.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GEajohY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wBJQRjU.jpg)
Bow I made for a buddy... I believe the bottom limb was shorter by about 2"
(https://i.imgur.com/Eubdyf7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FxexpyY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TaItcPe.jpg)
Osage sliver bow.... 61" ntn... 47# @ 28".... Bow is only 1" wide, but is a sweet shooter...
(https://i.imgur.com/XeYmhKc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/o2id00B.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vuVVocH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WcDl2rO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NcOZIOi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/I3O5iSQ.jpg)
Sinew backed osage static recurve.... 58" ntn... 54# @ 28".... Arizona diamondback skins over the sinew... My first traditional bow kill.... Was really proud of this....
I only have 3...no pics...and they mean more than money to me. The first is an osage selfbow named "The Orangutan" that Kevin Brennan made for me many years ago. Won the Howard Hill with it twice, among several other shoots. Second is a BBO made by Eric Krewson...absolutely a work of art, and a real shooter. Lastly, a pignut hickory bow that I made at the Tennessee Classic in 2009...had lots of adult supervision making it, won the Selfbow Challenge with it. Later on (2011), with even more adult supervision by Mr. Eric Krewson, refined the tips and added buffalo horn overlays. Lots of memories with each one, each one is very special to me.
LBR... Would love to see pics of those.... All my pics are pre-2005.. Those are my best, but I am getting back into it.... so, I have had a few years to think.... :)
I can take some pics, but don't have a clue how to post them.
I wrestled with that tonight... Go to Imgur.com... sign up... and then come back to the tradgang and computer section for tips on posting.. It is a lot easier than it sounds.....
QuoteOriginally posted by wooddamon1:
Nice! I want to jump into making self bows but need a mentor besides just online stuff and books. Think I'll start carving on a maple sapling this weekend. Good stuff guys, let's see some more!
Thee best thing you could do is pack up your camping gear and head to Marshall for the rendezvous in May. You wont find a more talented collection of bowyers anywhere, or folks more than eager to help. If you bring a stave and have a few days stay you will go home with a well built self bow and a head over-full of gained knowledge. I can promise that. If you decided to come, look me up and I will help you. FREE! :goldtooth:
QuoteOriginally posted by PEARL DRUMS:
QuoteOriginally posted by wooddamon1:
Thee best thing you could do is pack up your camping gear and head to Marshall for the rendezvous in May. You wont find a more talented collection of bowyers anywhere, or folks more than eager to help. If you bring a stave and have a few days stay you will go home with a well built self bow and a head over-full of gained knowledge. I can promise that. If you decided to come, look me up and I will help you. FREE! :goldtooth: [/b]
Do tell! What state? Is there a flyer or website?
Its in southern Michigan. It is Memorial weekend, but we pull in much earlier in the week and head home Sunday afternoon. Wilder Creek Conservation Club heads it up. I'm sure their site has some info.
What is the website for that ?
Just type that club name in Google, it will come right up. The Primitive Archer website has an on-going thread as well.
Thanks PD! Truly appreciate the offer, sounds like something I need to check out. Will there be staves for sale there or should I hack something down? If there's any way I can make it I'll be there!
Yup, my buddy Clint will have a pile and there are usually a few more folks selling them. Clints are the best and are priced very right. If you go to Primitive Archer and look in the events and gathering section you can look back at several years and hundreds of pics. You can get a really good idea of what its all about. Its the highlight of my year every year. The various talents that gather there is astonishing.
Osage bow by Ron Hardcastle, 64" 82#@ 26"
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Osage_bear.jpg)
Two Osage bows by Hardcastle," Bodacious" and "Bo Derek" 82# and 81#@ 26"
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/osage_on_a_horse.jpg)
Snakeskin backed osage by John Strunk, "Sidewinder" 72#@ 26"
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Snowstorm_Buck.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/flinthead%20buck_new.jpg)
I've owned several of Ed Scotts Owl bows and still have one. He was a great guy and made a great bow, he never made two alike
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/own%20bow%206.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Owl%20Bows.JPG)
Nice, Ron!
Thanks PD, just spent a couple hours over there, looks awesome!
Owl bows
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/An%20Owl%207.JPG)