Well, I have been trying to get some old projects completed so I can get to my trade bow.  I fininshed the tillering and am shooting the little osage now.  I don't have any of her makeup on yet but here she is as of today.  I has previously decided to put the big copperhead on it but may put a couple cotton mouth skins on instead.

WOW!!!!!!

David you sure did a dandy job, that is a awsome looking bow.

That cooperhead skin is amazing  :cool:  

I have seen other use snake skins and had never given it any thought myself, but that cooperhead might just have changed my mind about em.

You give me hope, as I am in love with short bows.

That is a beautiful bend on that bow David!! What part of Arkansas are you from?

SWEET !  Bet that little stick really casts an arrow. How far are you drawing it  ?

She is bending pretty David!

Thanks guys for the compliments.  When I get her all dolled up I'll post the finished look.

Jamey, I am in extreme northeast Arkansas.  Little town called Paragould.  About 10 miles from the MO bootheel.

Charles, my draw is 26 1/2" and I pretty much have it at full draw.  It is pulling 45#.  I just can't believe you could draw a 48" NTN to 26".  I know the sinew makes alot of difference and the bend through the handle does to.  This was my first very short hunting bow but it won't be the last.  It was alot of fun to make.

Sweet bow, David. Well done.

Thats pretty cool David.  You did a great job.  I hear ya on the big copperheads I've got a 48" skin rolled up in a ziploc bag just waiting on a project.  Your bow sure does look great though.

Nice looking bow Dave. Sweet tilller.

That tiller looks perfect Dave!  I have a sinew question - you said you used about 500 grains for that shortie; I'm assuming it was deer leg sinew?  About how many strips was that?  I have a bunch saved up from the last couple years of deer hunting that I want to use, but I've never sinewed a bow before and I have no idea how much to use or how many layers, etc.

Joe

That's a marvelous feat.  Great job squeaking every last drop out of that bow.  

Yep, its a good looking bow.....

Joe, that was about 4 deer leg tendons (sinew).  I don't really remember.  When I process it I put it in ziplock bags.  Then when I get ready to put it on I weigh it and try to put even amounts on each limb.  

On this bow I sinewed the whole bow since it was going to bend from one end to the other.  I put only one layer on this bow but I have put as many as 3 on other bows.

David

nice!

It's nice and makes me want to do a couple shorties...

Where did the final draw weight end up at? And, did you ever skin it?

Joe,
Haven't weighed it for a few days.  Been having too much fun shooting it.  I'm  gonna skin it this weekend.  

Copperhead or Cotton Mouth?????

I'd save the copperhead for something a little wider.

Nice little bow, David.  I love the shorties.  I make quite a few of them.  Your tiller is spot on, also.  Good on ya!  

The TBII does work, as evident in your success.  I use hide glue with sinew, no exceptions.  They're compatible, for one.  Also, I think I get a bit more reflex out of the sinew using the hide glue.  I back all of my sinew bows with a snakeskin as a moisture barrier.  If you'd like to try any hide glue out on a future project, let me know.  I have a bunch of the stuff.  

Congrats on your big success!

Matt

That is a cool little bow. I was always a long, straight bow kind of guy but over the last few years these little sinew back bows have gotten my interest up. I've built a few and am shooting one now but I have a few more ideas in my head about others.
Beautiful full draw. You got all the goody out of that little osage stave.

Very nice. Bue--.