Bows to Tanzania

[Minnesota Bill]

Hey Guys, just got back from Africa last week. Had a great trip and was able to get those three bows finished in time to take them over.  I have pictures on Photobucket but can't figure how to get them here.  Any advise?

[Roy from Pa]

While on Photobucket page, when you place your mouse cursor over a picture, a drop down window appears. At the very bottom is a box that says IMG code. Left click on that box and you should see it say copied. Then come back to tradgang and right click where you type here and click paste. You can preview your post here before you send it.

[Minnesota Bill]

Thanks Roy,
Bow #1; HBO, 64" long, 50#@ 28", pyramid 1.25" at fades to 3/8" tips . Handle was built up with a piece of walnut. I bought the wood from Mike at Pine Hollow Longbows.


Also bought the take down sleeve from Mike.




I used FIEBING's Leather Dye, black, to dye the hickory.  Then Tru-oil for the finish.


Used Ferret's Floppy Rest with Eric's Glue on leather handle wrap with the rolled over edges on all three bows.

[Minnesota Bill]

Dan shooting the bow.


Not to bad follow through




Face made when you miss the mark

[Roy from Pa]

You learn fast Bill:)

[Minnesota Bill]

Bow#2; Red Elm self bow, 48" long, 20# @ 20".
FIEBING's Medium Brown leather dye with tru-oil finish.


The back of the bow has a rough texture giving it a striped effect- so the name "Red Tiger".

[Minnesota Bill]

Grace shooting her bow.


Good follow through



Of course pink fletching for the Little Lady.

[Minnesota Bill]

Bow#3; HBO, 48" long, 20# @20". Pyramid 1.25 @ fades to 3/8" tips.
 



Used the Fiebing's leather dye on the hickory with a tru-oil finish.  Walnut built-up handle.

[Minnesota Bill]

Silas in action






Not bad form


As you have probably seen I made the arrows and put the "Bunny Buster" rubber blunts on them.  I was not sure what we would have for a target butt so I gave them the rubber blunts and took a rubber playground type ball to shoot at.  When you hit the ball it moves giving you a different distance for your next shot.

[Minnesota Bill]

I took the bows over in a hard sided golf club case, I believe this was Pearl Drums suggestion, and they got there with out any extra postage.  The British Airways counter lady in Chicago where I checked my bags had to check if it was OK to take bows on the plane.  She must not had many bowhunters come through there.  The other lady said it should be OK because I was flying to London, I must be shooting at the Olympics.  I explained that they where just recreational bows and that I was not competing in the games.

While I was over in Africa I had the opportunity to watch a local Sukuma man make three bows for me.  I took a ton of pictures and asked many questions, through my son as my interpreter.
Would there be interest in me putting them together as a Sukuma Bow Build-along?

[bigbob2]

A bow is a bow, and I for one am addicted to all forms. Bring it on!

[bigbob2]

By the way, great sequence of shots and nice bows too.

[Roy from Pa]

Heck ya Bill, would be interesting.

[scottm]

Sounds great!Nice bows also.Glad you were able to deliver them.

[wood carver 2]

"Would there be interest in me putting them together as a Sukuma Bow Build-along? "
YES!!!    
Such a silly question!
Dave.

[red hill]

Yep.

[kennym]

Cool , Bill!!!      

[NEW GUY]

Nice job on the bows and heck yeah that would be neat to see the bow build pics.

[SportHunter]

Great job on the bows, another yes vote for the build along.

[Minnesota Bill]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I will start the Sukuma bow build along in the next few days.