Today while shooting a friend gave me a piece of wood to make him a bow from. Not just any piece of wood, but a special one. This piece of wood intimidates me. So much so that I don't even want to start on it. I'm not sure how my friend ended up with it, but the writing on it has a man's name and address on it. Here's my issue...
What makes this stave special is the fact that it was cut, split, and worked down to a blank by Earl Hoyt in 1938!... This baby could be in an archery museam somewhere. It osage so it is that awesome dark purple/black right now. It's sixty-eight inches long and My friend wants a bow in the mid fifties or lower. How am I supposed to cut on this thing? What if it breaks? What if...
Then the other side of the coin. What if this thing shoots if I tackle it. It was made to be a bow. I don't think that Earl Hoyt would mind if it finally became the bow it was ment to be. What are your thoughts?
(http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0089-2.jpg)
(http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0087.jpg)
(http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0088-1.jpg)
The pics aren't that great because its from my phone, I just figured you would like some pics. I"ll get more in a bit.
The profile is a bit of a problem. Right now, its very overbuilt. 68 tip to tip. one tip is 3/4in the other is 1in. The widest part of the limbs are right at 2in. However one fade is off. Still workable, but not right. This picture shows the widest part of the limb in comparison to the handle/fade.
(http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss13/dvshunter/CIMG0092-1.jpg)
I say get er done and make Earl proud.
Hmmm..... tuff call i'd almost keep it as is :confused:
Good luck, i know not much help :bigsmyl:
I would let it rest as is.
keep as is.. at best you make YOUR vision of a bow.. not Earl Hoyts. worst case you take a piece of trad. history and turn it into firewood....IMHO you let history remain history. But good luck with it.
I would make a long string for it, loop it over each end and hand it back to your friend. Say to him, "Here it is all finished up, now hang it on the wall and cherish it always"
Once you cut into it, it's just an old piece of wood that was found in someone's attic.
If left "As Is" it's a piece of History.
Urge your friend to do the right thing and contact the National Archery Museum or some other such organization and get this piece of our Archery History on display for everyone to enjoy where it rightfully should be.
At the very least contact Hoyt and see if they have a museum of their own. I'm sure they would offer a pretty penny to get their hands on that. Bass Pro Shops buys stuff like that for their museum also.
It needs to be preserved no matter where it goes.
That's the only right thing to do.
Part of me wants to say keep it just as is...nothing is better than a bow blank about to be worked.
I would be pizzed off if somebody took my half done bow and hung it up after I couldnt work on it anymore! He started that bow for the same reason we all do, I say do him a favor and finish it up. If it breaks, I dont think he will be upset one bit!
have to agree
leave it be...
Dave - If I had it, there's no way that I could cut into it. I'd put it on my wall of fame, or send it to someplace where archers would appreciate seeing it. The color change, from old photosensitive outer wood to the wood under it would break my heart.... I'd label it with a brass plaque and keep it as archery history. JMHO. thanks, Mike
Leave it alone and go get another piece of osage. I wouldn't touch it. Just hang it up. Tough call
Don't think about it being anything special, take your time with it and make it into a bow you can brag about. Not everyone has an opportunity like what you've been given.I say you were given it for a reason.and I don't think it was to hang it on a wall. You had nothing before he gave it to you, the worst that can happen is you'll have nothing when your done. It's only a piece of wood.Make us all prood -go for it. :thumbsup:
That would be akin to taking an original Browning shotgun that was carried by John M. Browning himself and having it ported, or drilled and tapped for choke tubes. It just ain't right.
That piece should be in a museum and I just can't see it as "Just a piece of wood"
It's a piece of History that has survived all these years. We can all speculate what Earl Hoyt would want, but I think he would be just as proud to have it hanging inside a glass case at a museum for all archers to see and photograph.
It's not your blank, it belongs to your friend, he may have a very good reason to have the blank finished into a bow. Talk to him about it, and if you don't feel comfortable don't do it.
Earl Gave me 2 staves and said make some bows. One was completed several years ago and shoot good and hard. This one has been setting in my basement waiting for some one I had faith in to give it his best shot. As for as a Hoyt museum goes, it is owned by Bass pro and as fore as I know nothing is on display.
I thought it might be your blank Jerry. If Earl wanted a bow out of it I think you picked the right man for the job.
kudos to you dvs for thinking this through, and demonstrating true kinship in this "family".
i gotta respect that.
its a real tough call- but why should it be any different from any other piece of wood that any of you superb bowyers might leave behind?!?
i dunno- but it does just feel special somehow.
you are the custodian now!!.- so make the call!!
but if it was me, i wouldnt touch it.
seems like the majority vote is for preservation anyway!!
i say preserve it for all to see,
because at best, it just becomes another shooter- nothing else!!
It's not Dave's blank, it belongs to the man Earl gave the blank too. He is the one that wants a bow built from a blank his personal friend left to him.
Thats a tough call. I can understand just leaving it as is. The way it is with the history behind it is enough reason to just hang it up and don't tough it but on the other hand its truely and honor to get to work on it. Every scrape would be emotional and a reminder of one of the men that got archery to where it is today. I think finishing it is a sign of respect. I would finish it. Just take tons of time with it and most of all enjoy working on it, but thats just my opinion
Dvshunter, I tend to agree with Knawbone and D. In that if you are comfortable with it, go for it. But, I would document every thing done with the stave with video and pictures.
With all due respect, I don't think its anything like Mr. Brownings gun. His gun was a finished, working gun. With that said, no I would not modify it in any way, shape, or form.
This stave, however, is not done, for whatever reason. I don't think any bowyer, woodworker, craftsman of any kind starts something with the intent for it not to be finished. So, if you're ok with it, go for it. Think of it as you being a co-writer of a song. Your just finishing what was given a great start.
Well said Blue EagleBum.
My vote is for the Historic Preservation of the stave, but if you do decide to turn it into a finished Bow I agree with Blue EagleBum record and photo document every thing you do. Its just the Archaeologist in me. Good luck to you and your friend.
Crg
This is going about the way I had expected. :coffee:
Sure is tuff DVS.
Question is, what would Earl want done with it?
Bottom line is that it's Grey Buffalo's stave and it was given to him so if he wants a bow out of it, so be it. I think he picked the right man for the job if that's what is in store for the stave. I'd rather see you working on it Dave than anybody else I could think of. I'm sure you'll do a fine job.
If it were mine it would be donated to an archery history museum, but that's just me.
I would not cut into it for anything... Not with Earl Hoyt's name on it... There is little enough history left...
yup, rainman you are correct.- apologies.
hear hear,Javi!!
Reverence God not man, history is history, now is for the living. I still say it's a piece of wood and I'm willing to bet Earl would say the same. You'll just have to follow your heart on this one,cause everyone has a different outlook on what is important, what was, what is , what can be.
Go for it David. We like to restore old cars and everything else to make them useable so I would make a bow out of it. Dean
I'm not much for sentimental stuff. If it doesn't have any historical value, make it into a bow. It's just a piece of wood isn't it?
hmmm. Lots of interesting discussion on this one. I love history and believe in preserving all that history incompasses, but...
The stave belongs to Gray Buff and it's his call. Perhaps if it had been found and did not have the personal attachment for Gray Buff it should be preserved as is. However, since it was given to Gray Buff to be finished as a selfbow then the stave should be finished.
Your apprehension is understandable, DVS. We've seen you abilities displayed here many times and you are more than up to the task. When you decide what to do I'm certain it will be the right thing.
Just my limited and humble opinion,
Stan
It doesn't matter who the stave belongs to now or what they want done with it, if they ask a Bowyer to make a bow from it and the Bowyer recognizes the history involved and doesn't want to cut the stave that is their prerogative and a decision they have to make and live with..
As I said before I'd not touch it, I'd leave it as is.. an unfinished piece of archery history which can't be duplicated but should be admired for what the man who started it meant to the sport...
Listen man take that blank and make it into your masterpiece. With all the reverence you feel for that stave she will come out beautifully.
preserve it!!
cultures thrive and advance through time with reverence for their history, without history we have nothing.
you certianally have the skills to do it justice,
but i geuss the final say rests with the rightful owner.
Looks likes its going to come down to flipping a coin. hahaha I still say go for it but on the other hand if you were walking through a museum and seen it and got to pick it up it would make you say Holly Crap this thing is awsome and after holding it for a minute set it down softly so not to make a single dent in it.
It was meant to be a bow, the owner wants it to be made a bow, the original bowyer gave it to the owner with the expectation for it to become a bow. If you feel up to it, and what I have seen, your work to date, shows you as a master bowyer. Go for it if you want to.
In the eyes of history, you will be making history. I still think it should be painstakingly documented through video, pictures, and even a log book or journal. And its history will still be forever preserved. JMHO. God speed and may the force be with you.
The decision of rather or not it will be made into a bow is moot, the owner of the stave already made it.
David, the only decision that is left is if you personally agree with Jerrys decision and want the challenge. If you decide not to build the bow, somebody else will.
From what I have seen of your work, he made a good choice.
I don't know how many guy's here know who Neil cost was. He was probably one of the best turkey call makers who ever built a call. You cannot purchase a call made by him for less than a grand. I had the pleasure and honor to talk to him on the phone 1 time. Shortly after that he passed.
I became good friends with the feller who published 3 books that Neil wrote and acquired 2 call blanks that came from Neils shop. both had his signature on them and still do. I did what Neil intended for those chunks of wood to be and made turkey calls out of them. One was probably the best call I ever made and I gave it back to my friend. The other turned out a fine call and I passed it on to one Neils personal friends.
I guess I blabbed all that to say.... Get to building Dave! :bigsmyl: Is there any way you can leave the writing on it or maybe slice the piece off with a band saw and put in the sight window area like an inlay or something to preserve it in some way.
Stiks
DVS we all know you have the skill to turn this stave into a bow.
I cant see not finishing it. Earl started it and now you get to finish the process.
Enjoy your time with it.
Seems to be a lot of different opinions on this one. Bottom line is, yes it is a piece of history and a special piece of wood, but its still Grey Buffs piece of wood. If Grey Buff wants a bow made from it, then make him a bow. JMO
I like the finish it but document well idea.
As a piece of history that story isn't finished yet.
How cool to have the blank on the wall and tell people that Mr. Hoyt made that. But much more cool shoot it and to tell the story of how Mr. Hoyt started it, gave it to a friend, who gave it to a worthy bowyer to finish.
History is just that. His-Story. God is glorified in living and seeing His creation utilized with skill and beauty.
Mr. Hoyt and archery history are honored by seeing that bow completed and finishing a wonderful story!
DVS, what an honor that you were chosen for this!
CJ
DVS, I know you`ll treat this stave like a piece of history. I`d think any bowyer would want to see an unfinished bow finished. I`m sure you were given the stave because you have the talent to finish it. Just take a million pics so I have something to look at work.
If you don`t finish it someone will.
I think you told me the same thing about the first stave you gave me.
QuoteOriginally posted by Javi:
It doesn't matter who the stave belongs to now or what they want done with it, if they ask a Bowyer to make a bow from it and the Bowyer recognizes the history involved and doesn't want to cut the stave that is their prerogative and a decision they have to make and live with..
As I said before I'd not touch it, I'd leave it as is.. an unfinished piece of archery history which can't be duplicated but should be admired for what the man who started it meant to the sport...
yes it does matter who it belongs to. it does matter what they want done with it. it belongs to a man that knew earl hoyt and wants the stave made into a bow. how would you like to be the owner of something...anything, and be told what you can or cannot do with it? don
Well I've waited to put in my $.02. I think it's up to the owner. It's not like he's some newbie who doesn't know what he has. I think if I were you I'd just take it as a great compliment and give it my BEST shot. Take your time, it's been waitin' over 60 years already.
I agree with Sticks & Strings...
"Is there any way you can leave the writing on it or maybe slice the piece off with a band saw and put in the sight window area like an inlay or something to preserve it in some way."
I think that would be cool, and a way to save some history. I also agree to document all work on it. Give it a go, and do us all proud, we believe in ya.
:thumbsup:
Well... Thank you all for your input. It's been a good discussion. I've talked again with Jerry, and we are going for it. There isn't a way to save the writing, but it doesn't have Earl's name on it, just the name and address of someone who had it and gave it back to Mr. Hoyt before he gave it to Jerry. I'm very excited and loking forwsrd to building this one. Rest assured there will be lots of pictures taken along the way. I have four bows in line first then I can give it my total attention. It sure helps having you al for the confidence boost and support.