Grumley inspired Brushbow

[Shaun]

Nels Grumley made osage bows for Fred Bear in the 1940's. His main two models were the Deerslayer which had long static recurve tips and the Brushbow which was wide, short and had flipped tips. I got to study some examples of Grumley's work at Wade Phillips' place last winter and started a Brushbow inspired bow recently at Bradjam. It is nearly finished and here are some pics.



This bow has similar dimensions to original with overall length of 60" and limb width of 1.75" but mine was made with a single piece stave while most of Grumley's were spliced billets. The piece I used has some character with lots of mineral staining and some curves.

[Shaun]

There was an encased knot near the edge and I took a cue from one of Wade's Grumleys and filed the hole with a "Dutchman" plug of osage.



I used a slightly bulbous handle shape while G used a more straight style, and added a leather rest and glued deerskin handle wrap.



The short length requires most of the limb to work from the short fades to about 4" from the tips.

[Shaun]

One of the trademark features of the Brushbow is the built up brush nocks. The ones I looked at had been made with yew and shaped like this.





The yew is light and does not add much tip weight and it is supposed to keep twigs from hanging up at the nock when traveling through the thick stuff.

[Shaun]

I started off with it tillered at a 1940's draw weight of 65# but worked it down to 56# @ 28" to better suite my geezer status. Here's how she looks pulled to my 26.5" draw - someone make me lower that dang elbow!

[Shaun]

Short bows are generally very quick and this one really spits and arrow. The more I shoot it the more I like it.

[Dano]

Lookin real good ya Geezer!! Man that's your best work yet, "G" would be proud.

[bjansen]

 Great job!

[2treks]

WOW! that is sweet Shaun. I was looking at one this weekend that my friend John made a few years ago. it was hickory and yew and Osage. After seeing yours I may give one a go.
That is a great bow.Well done.
Chuck

[Pat B]

Very nice brush nocked bow Shaun. The tiller is right on!!!   Been wanting to try brush nocks.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Shaun,
That is one very sweet looking bush bow.Nels would most definitely be proud of your work.After meeting you at Kalamazoo last January and seeing the bow you had with you,the wonderful cratsmanship on this bow doesn't surprise me a bit.That has got to give you such a great feeling of accomplishment to make something like that yourself.Very cool.  John

[Hojo]

From brush nock to brush nock, your bow is simply awesome!

[KENDALL TECHAU]

Shaun, That is a really nice bow !!! GREAT workmanship. I really like the brush nocks and the tiller looks right on. There's a good Iowa buck going to take one for the team from that bow! Kendall.

[Bjorn]

OH Wow! that's on my list!! Beautiful job Shaun.
     

[LC]

Very nicely done!

[4runr]

Very nice Shaun!!

[ChristopherO]

Those definetly do have an appeal, don't they!
Looks as if you set the handle back.  Great tiller and bow.

[bluegill]

Shaun,

Great looking bow! Did you add the brush nocks befor or after tillering?

Sean

Here I fixed your elbow.

[Shaun]

Thanks all, especially Sean for help with my form!

Originally started as a 63" stave and I tillered it at Bradjam. When I got home I piked it back to 60" and added the brush nocks, then re tillered. The stave had some natural handle set back and was tillered to keep this feature.

Checked the weight again and its actually 59# @ 28" - thought I was getting weak.

[Dano]

You can't get weak with that T shirt on.  

[PV]

         Shaun.