Wow, beautiful bow. My first bow was a hickory self bow a few years ago, back before I found this site. Mine only took about 3.5" of set. LoL.

Thanks crittergetter!  This one has taken some set, too, about 1 1/2".  I don't mind, though.  It's a very smooth shooter.

isanyone available to answer a few questions

Beautiful! What kind of stain and finish did you use?

Thanks!  I stained it with aniline dye mixed in alcohol.  Wiped on the darker brown first and then went over it with a lighter golden brown.  I finished it with satin Minwax polyurethane from a rattle can.

Alcohol soluble aniline dye is the best.... Who learnt ya that trick?  

Prob'ly some old fart.   :p      :D

LOL

Very. Ice

Great color, what kind of stain did you use?

Thanks!  It's TransTint aniline dye disolved in denatured alcohol.  I do the dark brown (Golden Brown) first so it gets the grain nice and dark.  Then I go over it with the lighter shade (Honey Amber).  Wiping a few coats of  Honey Amber with a rag also pulls some of the darker brown off and gives it a golden sheen.  Kinda hard to explain; it took a few tries to see how it blends the colors.  There is probably a tutorial on the web somewhere.  I went the trial and error route as usual    

I stole the idea from Roy ^  I thought if he could figure it out, it can't be all that hard.    :D

QuoteOriginally posted by takefive:
I stole the idea from Roy ^  I thought if he could figure it out, it can't be all that hard.     :D  

Seems like people are wising up!

Seriously, that's a nice looking bow and great tiller.

All right you two.. LOL

Thanks canopyboy!

Luckily, Roy has a good sense of humor and I live outside his thumpin' range.    

Heck of a nice looking bow!
-Jay

Thanks Jay!    

That's a fine bow, I'm working on my first hickory stave now, and you've inspired me to slow down and try not to make more kindling.

i dunno- i really dont see anything special... looks like every other bow you make...
beautiful and just perfect-
the perfect balance between style and flair!      

Beauty of a bow!

Nice trick with the little cant built in the handle    

Thanks Westbrook!  I took the idea for the handle from a book; The Art of Making Selfbows by Stim Wilcox.