Grumley Replica Question

[4est trekker]

Hey, all.  The next bow I'd like to build is a replica of Nels Grumley's Bush Bow or Deerslayer (not sure which).  However, I wanted to know if anyone has experience shooting bows of this style and if the added mass from the brush nocks at the tips induces handshock as it would seem.  Any information on the advantages, drawbacks, physics, etc of brush nocks would be most appreciated.  For example, on the Bush Bow, the brush nocks really elevate the string off the belly.  What effect, if any, does this have on the performance of the bow?  Thanks for the help!

[Shaun]

Here is a replica brush bow that I made last winter. The brush nock build up is made from yew which is very light and there is no extra hand shock from them. They do not "elevate the string off the belly" they only fill in the space between the belly and the string. The purpose is to prevent brush from snagging in the "V" of the string and the bow - they work for that.

Performance in a brush bow comes from the very short working limb - the entire bow is only 60". I made working drawings and tracings from an original in the hands of a collector. Limb width is 2" and thickness max 1/2". Width carries to mid limb while thickness tapers slightly.

[Art B]

One's I make do elevate the string unlike Shaun's. But I leave enough room on the tips to use a stringer which causes the string to elevate more. If you skillfully craft your nocks you shouldn't add but little additional tip weight (if any) considing you'll probably not adding  overlays.  

Last one I made I crafted the nocks out along with the tips. Others I've done I added to finished/or unfinished bows. ART

[jess stuart]

I am hoping for a build along with pics.  I think it is mandatory.

[Bruce Martin]

That is a very cool bow Shaun. What are your specs on that bow (pounds, arrow weight you are shooting out of it, etc.). Were the Grumley bows self bows? I thought they were backed, but I don't know much about them.

[Shaun]

That bow is 59# @ 28" 60". Made from a stave. Hunting arrow used was a Sweetland forgewood w/ Bear greenie razor head - total wt 685grn.

The Grumley bows were made from billets. Two most common were the Brush Bow like this and the Deerslayer which is a sharp angle recurve with long underlay of laminated yew/osage or yew/walnut layers on the curve and handle build up. Most old pics of hunting camps with Nels and Fred show Nels with a BB and Fred with a Deerslayer.

Grumley and Fred parted ways about the time of fiberglass and mass production in the late 40's. Nels continued to make some bows part time and many of his later bows had backing of black plastic-like or Micarta material that was a scrap from his day job in a refrigerator plant.

[Bruce Martin]

Thanks Shaun, again that bow is very inspiring. I've got to get off my keister and start trying self bows. So far it's only been bamboo backed osage mainly of different designs. Thanks also for the information on Nels' bows.