Here's my first attempt at an osage character bow. A friend of mine laid out the bow and took it down the the rough profile. It weighs 17 oz., is 62" ntn, took 1.5" of just-unstrung set, and draws 44# @ 26.5". Roughly 1.25" at the fades tapering to 3/8" at the tips. I used tie-on knocks to keep the tip mass low. I finished it with tung oil, followed by a polish coat of mink oil. (Once the mink oil dries, the water just rolls of the bow. A light recoat every now and then keeps it in shape. I often will finish a bow by using sanding sealer followed by 2-3 coats of mink oil applied to a slightly warmed bow.) I've not had a chance to chrono it, although it shoots plenty fast and accurate. I also haven't had a chance to get any pictures of it while drawn. (Note: the rawhide band on the lower limb is covering a sinew wrap I made over a suspicious spot. Rather than let it blow, I just put an insurance band-aid over it!) Sorry about the blurry pictures. I'm no photographer.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2563.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2375.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2376.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2377.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2560.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2373.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Osage%20Character%20Bow%201/HPIM2558.jpg)
Nice job, a guy can learn a ton by making one of them. I really like them knocks.
I love that bow. I just built my first and tried to make it as primitive as possible. I wanted to do something different with the nocks but couldn't figure it out so just filed the limb tips. I like what you did much better and might steal your idea if you don't mind?
Very nice.
Very nice job on a difficult stave. I love character bows...the more character the better.
Steve B. - The nocks weren't my idea. They are detailed in the TTB (can't recall the volume off hand.) It's a great way to pike a bow without actually cutting any wood off. That is, you can wrap or even tape the nocks at different bow lengths and then test for draw weight/tiller. It's also a handy (although a little then than perfect) way to increase/decrease the draw weight and/or adjust for tiller changes in the field. Works great on softer woods that won't stand up to a standard nock configuration...kind of fulfills the same purpose as horn nocks on a yew longbow.
You did a great job on a difficult looking piece of Osage. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice bow. :) Jawge