New black locust bow

Red Tailed Hawk · February 09, 2016, 12:54:00 PM

It's been awhile since I made some sawdust. This is a black locust Stave that I collected two years ago from a felled tree. First time I ever chased a ring on a stave and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Bow is 50# 28" ntn. Heat treated to straighten and add reflex. Bends just slightly through the handle at full draw. Osage tips for fast flight string. Thanks for looking. Cliff

Bob at Work · February 09, 2016, 01:05:00 PM

great job... one of my favorite bows is a black locust made by Joe Mattingly. It is excellent bow wood.

Pat B · February 09, 2016, 01:49:00 PM

Nice bend in that locust bow. Well done.
You might get a little more zing from it if you narrow the tips a little but if you are satisfied, she's good to go.

Buemaker · February 09, 2016, 02:39:00 PM

Nice work

frank bullitt · February 09, 2016, 03:04:00 PM

Love locust! Great job!

I agree with Pat on the tips. You don't really need overlays on locust for H.P. strings.

Red Tailed Hawk · February 09, 2016, 03:32:00 PM

Thanks for the kind words. Tips are 1/2", I am curious as to how narrow i can go with tips? I have to agree that locust sure makes a great shooting bow. Appreciate all the feedback.

George Tsoukalas · February 09, 2016, 05:53:00 PM

That is outstanding! You can't beat it! Jawge

Pat B · February 09, 2016, 10:05:00 PM

3/8" to 1/4" at the nocks. You have plenty of thickness to support narrower tips which will reduce the physical weight.

Baitfish Nate · February 09, 2016, 10:28:00 PM

Beautiful bow! I've never chased a ring either but am looking forward to trying it on some horn hop beam that has a marred surface. What tool did you find most useful? Draw knife ? Cabinet scraper?

Red Tailed Hawk · February 10, 2016, 05:50:00 AM

Thanks pat, going to leave this one alone but am working on an Osage stave and will keep those tip dimensions in mind.

Roy from Pa · February 10, 2016, 05:54:00 AM

Nice work.

Red Tailed Hawk · February 10, 2016, 05:56:00 AM

Nate I used a draw knife, mystic scraper, and pocket knife. I found the draw knife the most useful and as I got more comfortable following the ring I was using it the most of any tool to expose the desired ring. Scraper works great for the finer more detailed work and pocket knife for working the knots. I found lighting to be very important and wore a headlamp while chasing ring and felt it really helped make the rings jump out.

David Flanrey · February 10, 2016, 12:02:00 PM

Great looking bow.