Cocobolo Bow - Finished !!!

rmorris · July 17, 2012, 05:22:00 PM

I need to start off first by thanking Sharp Shooter for giving me the idea to test the cocobolo veneers under scrap glass... It was way to dark so I tore into me stock of amazing cocobolo that I have been keeping aside becaue it was too cool to touch. Here is the results... I think I like the ones with the more straigh grain opposed to the ones that are on the left and swirly. What do you all think?

DVSHUNTER · July 17, 2012, 07:11:00 PM

I like the swirls.

kennym · July 17, 2012, 07:31:00 PM

I like swirled too!

Troy D. Breeding · July 17, 2012, 07:45:00 PM

Guess I'll be the lone wolf and go with you on the straighter grain. The contrast in the colors really kicks butt.

Troy

Jomohr84 · July 17, 2012, 07:48:00 PM

Too hard to choose, I like them both!! Seriously if I had to choose on a bow I was making, i'd have to flip a coin! Nice stuff!

Trux Turning · July 17, 2012, 08:14:00 PM

Ralph- to help with your decision making dilemma- send the swirly ones south :rolleyes:

jsweka · July 17, 2012, 08:53:00 PM

Both are awesome, but I think I like the straighter grain better.

Roy from Pa · July 17, 2012, 08:58:00 PM

DVS and Kenny always were a little swirly IMHO. I like the straight grain the best.

coaster500 · July 17, 2012, 09:03:00 PM

I hate to agree with Roy but I like the contrast in the straight, beside I don't want to be called swirly

JJB · July 17, 2012, 10:13:00 PM

I also like the contrast on the straight but you can't go wrong either way.
-Jay

Sharp Shooter · July 17, 2012, 10:17:00 PM

I think there's better contrast with the colors in the straight grain. should stand out better under the glass. Thanks Ralph. Tony

SportHunter · July 17, 2012, 10:20:00 PM

I'm going off the reservation with a new option. I like the contrast in the riser woods and would choose an American elm or similar toned wood under under glass that will bring out the lighter wood in the riser.

Of the two choices above I like the straighter grained.

wood carver 2 · July 17, 2012, 10:35:00 PM

OOhh! Wood porn! It's all gorgeous, but if I had to pick it would be swirls. Either way it's going to be one heck of a bow.
Dave.

bigbob2 · July 18, 2012, 03:09:00 AM

Like 'em both but straight grain more.

DVSHUNTER · July 18, 2012, 07:29:00 AM

I'm Shirley or Surley, but never swirly.lol

yaderehey · July 18, 2012, 09:10:00 AM

How about straight on the back, swirly on the belly. Awesome looking veneers in any case!

4runr · July 18, 2012, 10:52:00 AM

I like the straight.

I just learned from a very good source that you don't want to grind your Coco lams more than a few hours before glue up.

rmorris · July 18, 2012, 12:14:00 PM

Kenny, did you get a reason for grinding just before glue up? Also I am grinding with 40 grit sandpaper will that look on under clear glass or do I need to get a slightly smoother finish before glue up to get the best balance of clarity and adhesion?

Colorado Joe · July 18, 2012, 03:43:00 PM

I would say go with a takedown, then you can do swirly and straight making two sets of limbs.
Have the best of both!

rmorris · July 18, 2012, 05:52:00 PM

Well since this my personal bow I finally chose to go with the straight grain stuff because it is from the same piece of wood the riser was made out of and I figure the colors should darken the same over time , but man that was a tough choice. With the darker limbs I picked up a new pack of the amber bamboo flooring and opposed to the whiteish stuff I have always used and when I went to go rip it on the table saw the motor pooped out on me. I just found out that to replace the motor is the same price as a new saw

Well this puts all bow making on hold for a few days while I track down a new motor...
Thanks for all the input and I hope to have finished pictures soon.