Might have my first keeper

[bvarcher]

This may well be my first keeper. Four of the first six are firewood, and the other two were gifted.  This one is 1/8" hickery backing, a slice of cherry in the riser and the belly is ipe.  It is an inch and 1/8th at the fades, the tips are water buffalo horn.  61" NTN, 45#s at 28".  I was hoping for 50+#s, oh well maybe next time.  After cleaning up the nocks a bit more I will finish it with True Oil.  Any advice on the tiller?

- Steve

[KellyG]

I think you have a winner.

[red hill]

Yep! Agree with Kelly, you'be gotta keeper.  Really nice looking bow, Steve.
Stan

[Ricky Wallace]

Looks great!!  SMILE on the next photo!!!  

[Blue EagleBum]

Congratulations!!! Looks like an excellant WINNER!

[K30bowfisher]

That is a very nice looking bow, I love the simple elegant lines. Should be awesome with a little tru oil.

[okie64]

Congratulations! Thats an awesome feeling to get a shooter. Looks Great!

[Butch L]

Congratulations. That is a gorgeous looking bow.

Butch L

[KochNE]

Tiller looks awesome & I love the lines of the unstrung profile.  How far in did you cut for a shelf?  Where'd you find your ipe?  Havin a heckuva time locating it here in Lincoln.

[bvarcher]

The shelf was cut in about 3/8", I didn't exactly measure it, just starting filing away until it looked good.  I learned the hard way from a previous bow not to go to the center.  The bow broke in have right in the shelf.

The ipe was purchased at a local hardwoods store.  They didn't have much in stock.  I bought two 2 X 2's, 8' long so I could make several bows and tinker with the design a little.  The backing was purchased on-line.  I would like to make my own backings but the last time I purchased hickory at the hardwood store, the clerk went on a rant when I told him I wanted hickory and not pecan.  He said there was no difference.  Subsequently I had another bow fail when the backing snapped in the handle area.

[tenbrook]

Nailed the tiller IMO....Great job!!!

[John Scifres]

Looks good but it could use just a few swipes with the scraper at midlimb on both sides.  Good job.

[bvarcher]

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions.  I'll post another pic when the bow is finished.

I tried using True Oil but it won't dry on the ipe.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to apply super glue?  I have applied some leather dye to darken the hickory then started coating with super glue to seal up the pores in the hickory and ipe.  However, when sanding between coats I'm having a hard time avoiding sanding through the dye.

[steadman]

Very nice looking bow!! I love the profile. When I appy superglue to woods, I use a low O steel wool to "sand" it down. But I haven't done a whole bow before.

[fish n chicks]

Look out man that tractor is headed right for you! jk. Great looking shooter there. You will have fun with her for a long time.

[1oldbowguy]

Sure is a good looking bow, congrats!

[twitchstick]

Looking good.

[J. Holden]

Look's great!  Have fun.

-Jeremy  

[Possum Head]

Nice job,just how does a bowyer sleep at night with an unfinished product?Seems like it would drive me nuts.Maybe I'll find out soon.

[camoman]

Thats a nice looking bow you have there. I am about to start building my first one this weekend. Is there anyway you could send me a pic of the tillering board?