VM stave goes Crack!!

[Bjorn]

Everything was coming along beautifully......and at 24" bang!

There was a knot near the spot and it was a natural weakness.
With nothing to lose I wrapped with rawhide and serving thread.
You can see it here just above the grip.......

Well the patch has held so far; here's the rest of the bow:

Drawing back a bit gingerly and keeping my fingers crossed!

[frank bullitt]

Bjorn, looks good! Remember its just a bow. Nothing lost and a whole lot of learning gained. Tiller looks great! I know that feeling drawing her back, best to you, and keep us informed. Steve

[Pat B]

She has a nice braced bend, Bjorn. When you get the courage, I'd like to see a full draw and unbraced pic. Your artwork is simple but very effective.
 I haven't made a VM bow yet but I will someday. I've heard nothing but good stuff about it.

[gordonf]

What exactly happened at the knot?

[Bjorn]

There was a longitudinal crack that I glued with 420 and wrapped with sinew, then continued tillering.
Here it is at close to full draw:


Unbraced:

It appears pretty solid at this point-need to exercise the wood a bit more and go for full draw tomorrow.

[Pat B]

Looks very good!

[2treks]

Sweet!

[broketooth]

thats a cool lookin bow bjorn  

[reddogge]

Just keep wearing those glasses in case.

[George Tsoukalas]

Very  nice. You've got more courage than I do! Jawge

[Bjorn]

So here's the bow exercised and now at full draw:

The crack is but a distant memory...........there is a little propeller twist in the upper limb; but it is a self bow.
Finished up at 53#@28-50# at my draw, and 62" shooting nice and smooth.

[Roy Steele]

Well done

[Pat B]

Beautiful circular tiller.