Cherry bark / Osage selfbow

[KENDALL TECHAU]

I just finished this bow. 64",60#@28". Cherry bark backed Osage selfwood. I used a Tru-Oil finish and left the bark backing gloss.

[scrub-buster]

WOW! Got any full draw pics?

[ChristopherO]

That is a gorgeous bow!  Well Done.

[Dave Bowers]

Wow that's gotta be one of the best looking self bows I've seen. Great Job  

[ranger 3]

Very nice, love the bark where do you get the bark? I know you get it from a Chery tree but can you buy it somewhere?

[KENDALL TECHAU]

Thanks fellas! I got the cherry bark from Ted Fry@ Raptor Archery. $15.00 and Ted sends you enough to back a bow plus some left over. You have to outline the bow limbs on the flesh side of the bark. Your outline has to be real close to the actual limb or the bark won't glue down when you glue and wrap it with rubber innertube strips. Any questions I would be happy to answer.Cherry bark backing is alittle labor intense but the results are worth it.

[kerryb]

great looking bow

[Pat B]

Very nice bow. Looks like an ideal hunting bow. I'd also like to see a full draw pic and an unbraced profile shot.
I love cherry bark backing. I have done a few and it is way cool!!!  The last couple I did I left the mosses and lichens on so it has a cool camo look.
 

[ranger 3]

Does the cherry bark protect the the bow like linen or just for looks?

[Diamondback59]

man i love that bow !!!  i bought some cherry bark a copule years ago  still havent used it  gettin ideas now lol can u get a full draw up  and the deminsion on it    good job bro  brock

[Pat B]

Ranger, that bark is from a choke cherry tree, not black cherry. Yes, it does give good protection to the back and may even add a little zip to the bow.
 When I put the bark down on my bow I cut it close to the bows limbs like Kendall suggested. I used 3/4" blue foam board as a pressure strip because of the irregularity of the bark and selfbow back and wrapped with strips of cloth. I used TBIII to glue them down. It does help to soak the bark in warm water first. It helps to make it more flexable. It doesn't get real soft at all.

[ranger 3]

Thanks Pat, I think I will get some

[KENDALL TECHAU]

Here's acouple more pictures. If I can help anyone out with cherry bark backing feel free to pm me

[Pat B]

Beautiful tiller Kendall. That is one sweet bow.
 Are the wraps for insurance?

[KENDALL TECHAU]

Thanks Pat. The wraps are covering my skive joints,the bark I got was in pieces about 14"-20"long. Here's an unstrung side profile picture.

[snag]

How did you get the handle to set back from the limbs? Or was that just the natural bend of the stave? How wide are the fades. Really a great looking bow!

[red hill]

Great looking bow, Kendall. Would you happen to have any pics of putting the backing on?
Stan

[Pat B]

Very nice bow. I bet she is a sweet shooter.
 Because this bark is peeled from around the tree instead of up the tree means you nornally don't get long pieces usually. Skive joint and a wrap is as traditional as it gets.

[beetlebailey1977]

That tiller looks great.  Good looking bow...the cherry bark has a very nice look.

[broketooth]

what an awesome lookin weapon. i love the bark backing looks sweeet. love that osage. ruddy