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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Al Kidner on February 24, 2007, 10:06:00 PM

Title: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Al Kidner on February 24, 2007, 10:06:00 PM
Howdie all,

Well with my new employer things sure are plain ol flat out. We've been working out west contracting to mining companys (Coal) and the days are long not to mention the weeks. With what little time I've had to myself of late, it's always nice and relaxing to sit back on my days off a put together some arrows. This is what I've been doing...

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0837.jpg)

And some more...


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0838.jpg)



Here is my happy place.....

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_0805.jpg)

These shafts are Laminated Birch from Allegheny Mountain Arrow woods,  www.arrowwoods.com (http://www.arrowwoods.com)
and are super heavy and stright. I can't say enough of the top quality service from this outfit.... First Class!

I've made two Dozen up for a mate of mine as we are off to the South Island of New Zealand in 3 weeks to hunt Red stags for 10 days. I'm off this afternoon back to work so I'd thought I share. Now... to start on mine  :help:  .

In Oz, Al Kidner.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: paleFace on February 24, 2007, 10:09:00 PM
those are some great looking arras!  i see the coffee cup is full and close by.... hey don't work to hard and enjoy the arrow building when you can.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Danny Rowan on February 24, 2007, 10:11:00 PM
Al, you are a true arrowsmith. One of these days I gotta get me some of your arras to shoot.

Danny
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Kingstaken on February 24, 2007, 10:16:00 PM
Al.. Beautiful arrows,,great splice and profile..  :thumbsup:

You burn or chop?
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: 4runr on February 24, 2007, 10:19:00 PM
Nice. I was just commenting today to someone how cool it is to visit with someone in another part of the world and never leave my comfy little shop/room in the basement.
Thanks Al, for letting me stop over and see your new arrows and check out your little happy spot.
 :wavey:
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Al Kidner on February 24, 2007, 10:52:00 PM
Thanks lads, PM to you Danny. The profile is Orca from the Vairo Clipper. Something new thats for sure.

4Runr, I too love looking at other "Happy places" from your side of the pond.

The spirit of the bow runs far and wide.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: TexMex on February 24, 2007, 11:04:00 PM
Them are nice!   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: SpikeMaster on February 24, 2007, 11:13:00 PM
I've got bad eyes. What's that written on the crown dip?
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Paul R on February 24, 2007, 11:23:00 PM
Very nice Al.
I was trying to work out what is written on those pretty shafts as well.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Bodork on February 24, 2007, 11:39:00 PM
Very nice work. Gota love spliced feathers. Good job on the cresting too. I was also trying to read the fine print. I'm assuming it's hand lettered but it looks good enough to be a decal. mike
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Incognito on February 24, 2007, 11:47:00 PM
Those are beautifull. What does that say on them? I can't quiet make it out. Or maybe it's Australian. The only Aussie word that I know is "Fosters" they say it's Australian for beer.  ;)    ;)    :D
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: highcountry on February 24, 2007, 11:47:00 PM
You do some great work. I was just cresting some birch shafts just now, lines came out ugly! Too much wobble.  Bummer, lot of work and crooked lines.  I was attempting to match my new PGA in colors. I spliced up some feathers but will but them on some other shafts.

Aussie, is your "happy place" out in the field or at the ranch?
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Al Kidner on February 25, 2007, 12:11:00 AM
HighCountry, my happy place is both my friend. I love the bush and love being under my house in the "Workshop" fiddlen and a tinkerin with all sorts of bits and bobs.

As for the writing, I like to put a little something special on all my arrows that I make. I just think of the person and what there like, than hand write before thae last 2 coates a little something on 'em. This set I've written in latin "Wispering Messenger".

Al Kidner, in Oz.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Dsturgisjr on February 25, 2007, 12:39:00 AM
Great arrows AL, but cream in your coffee? YUK!
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: suttoman on February 25, 2007, 12:51:00 AM
Hey Al - Where bouts in Oz are you??  

I may be closer to you soon (presuming you are probably in WA).  I leave Sydney tomorrow for the 3 or 4 day drive to Kalgoorlie!$%&^%*)^!~!  I am chasing the big money too - while the commodities boom lasts in the West - lots of Gold in Kal and lots of money.  Will prob be there for a couple of years.  If you are close we could catch up sometime!!

Good luck in NZ - say hi to my relations when you see them - LOL

Sutto
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Al Kidner on February 25, 2007, 04:28:00 AM
Sutto, mate I live in Mackay, QLD. I've been working in the Emerald area.

Real men drink milk in there coffee Denny...  :coffee:
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: SuperKodiak38 on February 25, 2007, 04:52:00 AM
Nice looking stiks there Alan...
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Ray Hammond on February 25, 2007, 07:39:00 AM
that Orca fletch does look like a killer whale fin sticking up out of the water...very neat profile...pretty arrows, Alan.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Warren Cowen on February 25, 2007, 07:52:00 AM
Cream in your coffee, thats how I drink it to...   :coffee:  LOL  Good looking Arrows.         Warren...
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: BigRonHuntAlot on February 25, 2007, 07:59:00 AM
VERY nice work.  :readit:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: DarkeGreen on February 25, 2007, 08:07:00 AM
sweet!
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Randy Morin on February 25, 2007, 08:50:00 AM
Man those are nice! You've got skills Alan. And coincidentaly I just sprayed my second ever Osage selfbow last night and named her "Shamu", after a famous Orca from these here United States.  Maybe I should get some Orca fletches to stear her arrows.  That'd be somethin eh mate! Did you cut those yourself I'm guessing?  Or where can I find some?
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: JC on February 25, 2007, 09:00:00 AM
They are beauts AL! And really like your happy place, hope to see it one day in person.

How are you doing your splices? I've been playing with them and can't seem to find a method that looks like one piece of feather after you finally attach the fletching to the shaft. The splices all seem to "turn" slightly more than the main feather once it's twisted into a helical. I don't see that in yours...would love your advice.

Cobber JC
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Stalker58 on February 25, 2007, 09:03:00 AM
Awesome job!
Those Arrows look Beautiful!!!
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Al Kidner on February 25, 2007, 02:40:00 PM
Thanks for all your comments lads, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...  :thumbsup:  .

The Orca fletch is from the Vairo clipper/chopper sold from my mate Herb at Herbs archery. He's up the top I thinks.

Cobber JC, mate anytime your always welcome. Here is the way I splice :

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000048

Just takes time in geeting it right. Have a go at this way and PM me if you've any questions.

al
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: bentpole on February 25, 2007, 02:56:00 PM
WOOOOFAAAA I'd be afraid to shoot those arrows.Those are drop dead gorgeous. How long does it take you from start to finish?
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Izzy on February 25, 2007, 02:59:00 PM
Nice, I like that dark stain.Good looking stuff there.
Title: Re: A look @ "My happy place" ...... Pics!.......
Post by: Rusty in Fla. on February 25, 2007, 03:07:00 PM
LATIN???

 Latin is a dead language as anyone can see.
 First it killed the Romans,
 and now it's killing me.

I spent two of the happiest years of my life in Latin 101.

  Man that was a long time ago.

   Those sure are beautiful arrows. Good luck to you on your hunt.

  Rusty <><