Locust Eastern Woodland style

[Pat B]

I made this from a belly split off of a locust stave that was given to me. I have always had bad luck with locust fretting so when I split this belly stave off I decided to do a test run on it to see if my luck had changed.
 She is 65" t/t, 1 3/8" at it's widest about 6" from the center and a straight taper to 3/4" single side nocks. Unlike most Eastern Woodland bows I narrowed the handle(more like a Sudbury bow) on this one to 7/8" wide and 3/4" deep and she bends slightly at full draw. I used a piece of leather to pack out the back of the handle and I haven't put a wrap on the handle yet. I heat treated the belly to help stave off fretting and so far so good.
 She pulls about 40#@26"(45#@28") and flings my 600gr cane arrows well.
Here she is...

[Pat B]

I didn't get a full draw pic because my wife is sick but hopefully soon.

[PV]

Very nice Pat Hope the belly holds for ya  

[Pat B]

Yeah, me too!   also the finish on this bow is hand rubbed bear grease!

[bjansen]

Excellent work Pat..love the nocks

[KellyG]

oh man you should make a rule on this one to only shoot knapped heads.

[Dave Bowers]

Nice  

[DanaM]

I like it Pat, I've yet to try the side nocks, they bring a very primitive look to a bow. Non of my friends drew a bear tag this year, so I didn't get to render any bear fat, bummer eh. Oh well I have my personal stash yet:)

[DVSHUNTER]

Very cool Pat. I really like working with locust. I have had handle issues when they bend though. Your handle looks much stiffer than mine did. I also like those knocks. How much, if any weight did the bow gain after heat treating.

[Dan Landis]

As always, excellent job Pat!  I've never had much luck with locust either.  Have made a shooter out of a BL sapling a few years ago though......Dan

[1oldbowguy]

NICE, congrats, well done.

[bigcountry]

Pat, I guess I never seen a belly heated to that extent.  Do you think that will help the compression strength of Locust?

I have a bunch of locust just not sure I am ready to tackle it.

[George Tsoukalas]

No luck there, Pat. That's skill! Well done. Jawge

[Pat B]

Thanks everyone. I love simple bows like this and am pleased this one came out well being that locust is what the local Natives used.

Big Country, I considered that. Locust is one of the strongest in compression American hardwoods but is brittle. Heat treating makes wood brittle(adding compression) so we will just have to see after she has a few hundred arrows through her.
 DV, I never checked the weight until she was finished. I did notice more resistance when pulling after heat treating.
 Thanks Dana, bear fat makes a great finish. If you have any extra, bring it to the Classic. I know how much you like wood! d;^)  I'll bring you one of TomB's staves.
 George, this one is for you.
Kelly, I'm gonna make up 6 primitive arrows for this bow and donate it to the raffle table at the Tenn Classic. You got any stone points?

[KellyG]

Pat I whish,
I am going to try making some sooner or later. The next time I visit my dad I may have to get some flint. I know there is plenty there. I live just south of Roanake VA. I may try some cane arrows after I get his bow built here. There is a lot if cane here. Don't think it is the best for arrows but I want know til I try. Well I will start a thread on that later so I don't take any light away from that sweet looking bow you made.
Happy building and God bless,
Kelly

[SteveD]

Nice Pat. Looks great

[Roy from Pa]

Nice Pat. Can you just peel the bark off black locust and use that for the back of the bow or do you need to chase a ring?

[broketooth]

pat you make it look so easy. hopefully i can start makin'em as fast you do. ruddy

[okie64]

Nice lookin bow Pat. I love the way heat treated bows look.

[Pat B]

Roy, locust has a thick sapwood that should be removed like with osage.