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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: akgator on November 25, 2010, 05:50:00 PM

Title: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: akgator on November 25, 2010, 05:50:00 PM
Hello All! I've been visiting here almost daily for quite some time slowly trying to learn from all of you. I decided to merge my archery and woodworking hobbies and make a recurve bow. Coincidentally, my son had a school project his teacher said would be perfect for the bow. So, our first attempt was a team effort for a grade! I followed Bingham's instructions and learned many things that will make bow #2 and beyond go a little better. I did decide to personalize the bow by making a decal of my son's school mascot and decorating the upper limb. The bow specs were printed as a decal too and applied to the riser. I may keep decals for limbs only and use ink for the specs on future bows. The Alaska quarter is inlaid in the riser as a homage to the Bear recurve I grew up with. The bow came in at 55# @28". I'm anxious to get started on our next "keeper" bow project.

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/Alibaba55/Finished.jpg)    (http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/Alibaba55/Riser.jpg)
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/Alibaba55/Limb.jpg)
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: J. Holden on November 25, 2010, 07:00:00 PM
Very cool!  I like the quarter idea.  Look forward to seeing future projects.

-Jeremy  :coffee:
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: bjansen on November 25, 2010, 08:01:00 PM
Outstanding job! Try the brace height at about 8"...my Bingham recurves have really shot good ar or around that height.
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: Butch L on November 25, 2010, 09:38:00 PM
Sweet looking bow. Thank you for sharing. LOVE seeing these pics.

Butch L
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: jess stuart on November 25, 2010, 10:57:00 PM
Very nice indeed.  Like the school mascot and quarter inlay.  Really a great job. You have a real talent for bowmaking.
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: KellyG on November 26, 2010, 12:07:00 AM
Looking good.
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: Hermann From Bavaria on November 26, 2010, 08:47:00 AM
What a beauty! I am a bingham-builder too, and so i´m interested in that wood you used for riser and limbs. the last recurve i´ve build from binghams form, i made the limbs from osage, and the riser from wenge.
here it is:

(http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv242/Hermann123/P1010172.jpg)

(http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv242/Hermann123/P1010170.jpg)

(http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv242/Hermann123/P1010171.jpg)

Greets,
Herm
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: Apex Predator on November 26, 2010, 09:59:00 AM
Great job!
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: kennym on November 26, 2010, 10:01:00 AM
Nice work,great for a father/son team to do!!  :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: akgator on November 26, 2010, 04:19:00 PM
Hermann: the limbs are black 'glas and maple. The riser is bubinga. I was trying to duplicate the look of the Bear Tigercat recurve I had when I was a lot younger. This riser is much darker than my original bow but we like how it looks. I used Minwax natural stain on the riser before 3 coats of semi-gloss Minwax Helmsman spar urethane.
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: Roy from Pa on November 26, 2010, 06:55:00 PM
Very nice.
Title: Re: First Alaska Recurve Bow Complete!
Post by: HMlongbow on November 28, 2010, 08:26:00 PM
That is an awesome looking bow and for you and your son to do this is a keep sake.