I wrapped up the bow I've been working on today. Take a look at "Javelina".
Took me a couple of tries, but I finally got my new forward riser pattern to where I want it. When I made my first forward riser bow, "Forward Scout", I was trying to see how close I could come to a photo of a deep locator bow that we were pretty sure was a John Schulz forward riser design. It came out pretty good, looked nice and shot well and I've made a number of them since.
However, other Hill forward riser bows I've seen were nothing like Scout, basically a regular Hill made backwards, and I'm sorry to say the looks of them didn't do anything for me. Then, I saw a forward riser done by Ted Kramer while he was at Hill and really liked the look of that. It was slim and graceful and lent itself well to the "overpass" riser building approach I've been using. My first try, I just didn't quite achieve the look I wanted. Ah, but the second try! I'm quite happy with this one. It is named "Javelina", because while I was building it, I enjoyed thinking over and reliving my Texas hunt. Forward Scout, as the first example, lent its name to that pattern for me, and Javelina will become the name of this pattern. I'm quite sure I'll be building it again.
Javelina is 66" and 30@28 (25@ my draw of 25"). (In planning the bow, I had to allow for some slight difference in working with the gray glass, which is raw and unfinished on either side, and for the effect of the forward riser and came out exactly on target!)
Layup:
.040 gray glass
.070 lamboo parallel
.120 lamboo tapered .002
.100 lamboo parallel
24" power lam
.040 gray glass
Riser 18" laminated zircote
Total Wood Stack: (less power lam) .290
Total Stack: .370
Javie is incredibly soft shooting, don't feel anything as the arrow leaves, and it's whisper quiet, a real joy to shoot, very consistent as long as you are. Not especially fast, but shoots flat enough that I'll be able to hit at 30 yards guite quickly as I get used to it.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/javelina54.jpg)
Unstrung
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/javelina52.jpg)
Strung
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/javelina55.jpg)
Laminated Zircote riser close up. Very slight dished grip, which I've come to like very much.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/javelina53.jpg)
I've wanted a gray glass bow since I ran into a gray Hill a couple of years ago. Took me quite awhile to get some gray glass. Built one other gray one, but it went to a friend. Now I have one.
(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/javelina56.jpg)
I took a few test shots as I went around the range, then went to my usual 18 yd. "OK, let's see what we have" spot.
Note: That high shot was not my fault! An eagle was flying over, seized my arrow and was trying to fly off with it but this was as high as he got before it hit the target and knocked him loose.... That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Nice work Captain!!
I think you can make almost any design bow look good.
Thanks for sharing.
God bless,Mudd
She's a beauty
:clapper:
I like it Dick! Well done as usual.
You got me thinking that I may have to try building a forward riser Hill style sometime.
Sweet shooter!!!!
:archer2:
That is a nice longbow Dick!
I like the contrast between the dark riser and the bamboo laminations.
Sounds like you are ready for another javelina hunt!
Keep up the great work!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:campfire:
Yeah buddy! That is a sweet looking bow. I am going to have to try out a riser like that. It seems that they are getting more and more common.
James
Looks sweet. The gray glass is unique, too. Nicely put together! :archer:
Very nice bow, Dick. Love the idea of a forward riser, maybe I'm going to try one of these some day.
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Andy
Nice job Dick!
Dick I read and look more than I post but I feel I need to comment on this one. this to me screams pure and simple elegance. Beatuiful bow sir. If it is a bow you built for yourself I hope it shoot as well as it looks and lasts for years to come. If it is for someone else than I say they are lucky and I am jealous.
Kyle
Sweet bow Dick... reminds me of a GN Bushbow I once had... I loved that thing!