This is my first attempt at building an ambush style bow. I have several species of wood in my shop, but I wanted to start by experimenting with vine maple as I am the most familiar with it. I'm fairly pleased with the result though it follows the string more than I like (2" after unstringing). The next one I build will probably be a little wider, slightly longer, somewhat less draw weight and will have a tempered belly.

Here are the bow's specifications: 55" ntn, 67# @ 27", rawhide backing, brown leather dye limbs with black accents on the tips, elk hide handle wrap with Strunk-style wrap, bends slightly through the handle, tips are mildly reflexed to improve string angle.

Much of my hunting occurs in dense brush and swamp and can see how such a style of bow would be handy. Not to mention they are fun to build and shoot.

BEAUTIFUL BOW GORDON!!

Nother dandy Gordon. Don't you ever get tired of making beautiful bows    

Awesome looking bow!!      

Sweet! You build some of the finest looking sticks.

That is really cool looking!  I am chomping at the bit to try making my first bow.  Posts like this don't help the craving though!!!

67#@27" with a 55" length!! Wow!! It takes skill to build a bow that heavy and that short without it blowing up on you. Very beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Matt

QuoteIt takes skill to build a bow that heavy and that short without it blowing up on you.

I'm definitely pushing it, but I want to understand the limits of this design and wood. That's why I backed it - I don't want it blowing up in my face.

Cool looking bow and hat!Thanks for sharing.

Oops, didn't see you backed it with rawhide. That almost looks transparent. What kind of rawhide did you use? Even with the backing, that's still an awesome bow that takes skill to build! Very cool! Cheers, Matt

Another nice stick, good work.
Bue--.

It seems unoriginal but I gotta say it too - LOL,  "Another Beauty," Gordon. The FD is different though - and I want it! *Poof* (gone)

Matt, I used deer rawhide.

That's a beauty Gordon.  I got a vine maple stave on my list of to-do's real soon.  What kind of stain/dye are you using on your finish?

It's now on TBD12 Gordon - and adds class there too - LOL.

http://residents.bowhunting.net/bsdunn/tbd12.htm

Mark,

I used a medium brown leather dye for the limbs and black leather dye for the tips. Vine maple does not take a wood stain particularly well.

Gordon

Looks good Bernie. I sure appreciate you keeping your site up-to-date. It's nice to have a single place were we can see all the great bows that various folks have built.

Bless your heart for saying so, Gordon my friend.

Sweet looking bow but 67# is getting purty stout for my old joints. Looks good on you though. Can't wait to see it in action.

Terry

Like always Gordon,Awsome bow  

Tracy