New hunting bow

[1/2primitive]

All right, I've been keeping an eye on this site for about a year, and never truly made an entrance, so here goes.
    I'm 14, and I've been making bows for what is about 2 1/2 years now. I've also shot trad for 5 years, mainly with a fiberglass and wood (lemonwood, to be exact) laminated bow that I helped make. And this is my newest bow.
I've finished up an Osage recurve I've been working on, I hope to use it for deer hunting this fall. It's exactly 50lb@23". The bow is 48" ntn because I didn't know if I was going to be hunting in a blind, and if I am going to hunt from one some, the bow I would have to use would have to be below 60" long. So, to give myself a little room for movement, I wanted a bow that would be about 47-48" ntn. As you can see, I have another hole in one limb, it does go all the way through, but I couldn't get a good picture. Between the leather I glued on the curves and the rabbit-skin handle (the fur drapes across the strike plate), this bow is very quiet. I hardly hear a thing when I shoot it. Before I wrapped the handle, it was painful to shoot; the bow would bounce in my hand and began to bruise it. The rabbit-skin helps a lot to cushion the shot; now it's actually a very pleasant shooter! The weight jump from 40lb. to 50lb. was a struggle at first, but after pulling it quite often every day for about a week, I can shoot it normally. All right, I'll shut up now and show the pictures.
btw, feel free to ask questions and such.
        Sean

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[LAR43]

Very nice!
You've really got it going on there!
Thanks for the pictures!

Larry

[BigRonHuntAlot]

   Congrats on the Bow Building. Looking Good

[bowdude]

Awesome.  You really must have the love for traditional.  You literally are starting out the hardest way with those self bows.  Says a lot for your character.  Also not speaking up for 2 years does too with this group!  You could teach a lot of us some things.  Welcome to the group and good luck with all your endeavors.

[The Whittler]

You did a very good job. You should proud, not many can build their own bows (me included).

Welcome to the gang. Alan

[Shawn Leonard]

SWEET!! Very nice, you should be proud!! Shawn

[bayoulongbowman]

[Bill Shepard]

Keep it up and you could evolve into one of the future leaders in this sport.  And we could say we knew you when...  

[4runr]

You,sir, did a wonderful job on that bow!!!

         

[duck'n]

Great looking bow and great form....I wish I was that devoted to traditional archery at 14...I was too busy wishing for my first truck and a date to be serious about anything else.  Congrats!!!

[Fletcher]

Outstanding job, Sean.        Best wishes on your hunting this fall.    

[1/2primitive]

Thanks a lot for all the nice comments, guys. The bow shoots pretty flat, which is how I wanted it to work. Now to working up some arrows to go along with it!    
    Sean

[Pat B]

Them arrows wouldn't be sourwood would they?    Pat

[OconeeDan]

Sean, very nice, I am impressed!  If you can do that at 14, think about what you can do at 24!!!!
Congratulations on putting your efforts in a good, safe, and clean direction.  
Dan

[1/2primitive]

Ha, Pat, they are going to be both sourwood and bamboo, a set of at least 6 from each. They are mostly straightened, but I've got to make one more pass. Oh, is the bamboo slightly green still? Should I let it dry for a while?
   Thanks OconeeDan.
      Sean

[Pat B]

Sean, The Bambusa should be cured out fine. If you lay it in the sun, it will turn a nice tan color.   Pat

[1/2primitive]

All right, I'll do that.
  Sean