Ozbow

Evening gents!!

Been a little while since I've posted any of my work but I can assure you I have not stopped! Haha

This post will be about a bow I have just started and as the name suggests, an Osage English longbow.

I purchased a stave of Osage from the states some time ago, maybe 2 years now, and have resisted the temptation to touch it... Until this arvo!!

I wanted to get as much as I could from the stave so split some rings off the belly side of the stave before bandaging two more staves from the remaining stave.

Gave me a really gnarly belly wood piece that I can chase a ring on and make a nice kids elb from, a slightly cleaner but still very curvy stave, suitable for a mid weight elb and a larger stave for a hunting weight bow (possibly for a customer)

This thread will focus on the middle stave.

Came in 72.5" total so settled on 71" ntn and got 25mm of width in the handle so should go 45-50lbs If I'm good enough.

The stave is fairly straight on average but has a reflexed tip one end and a kink and some twist in the other. All good, I like a bit of a challenge!!

I have roughed out the bow to basic dimensions, leaving in as much character as possible along its length. And paralleled it with the back ready to start on the belly taper. I then rounded the belly over and started working the tips down a bit, closer to where they need to be.

Think I will steam or heat bend the twist out tomorrow and take out a bit of the reflex.. ( or should I give it the Mick Kay treatment and reflex the other to match?!! Haha)

Will get pics up when I can for you all.

Cheers

Col.

I look forward to seeing photos of your progress Colin. I like bows with some character.

Jeff

Will be great to see.

Eddie

Here's a look at the stave guys... Lots of character in this one!

Took a bit of the reflex out of one end and took the twist out of the other but added a little reflex so its more even.
Next will be to take the corners down on the back a bit and give it a bit of a crown, cut some nocks and then start the tillering process.

Col

So you have taken it down to a growth ring? It certainly does have some character.

Jeff

Back was sealed under a clear lacquer so I'm stripping it back and making sure it's down to one ring. If it's not I will chase it then re round the edges before tillering.

Going to be a looker if it shoots! Have a few people scratching their heads at least haha.

I thought there was a finish on the back. It sure does have some lumps and bumps and bends. It should look fantastic when finished.

Jeff

Just a quick scrape will get it off and I'll be good to keep going.

Rings are only fairly thin so I'm not asking for much weight out of it. Around the 40-45 mark will be plenty.

Loving all the lumps and bumps!! Just looks Cool!

should be a real head turner when you get it done Col. Just love osage myself, like the way it handles steam, like working it and like its great properties as a bow. Looking forward to end result!

Bends well using dry heat too Bob. That's how I got this straightened up.

Makes just about every type of bow I think... Great timber!

Watching with interest as always Colin

regards Perry

Well gents,

Here she is so far. Still unfinished but tillered. came un pulling around 48-52lbs (my scales have gone to S#*t) at 28". Its 71" ntn and has taken no string follow at all. Perry came round today as I had a day off due to weather and gave me a hand in getting this one done. Cheers for the help and chat mate!!

Stoked with how its coming out so far. Needs some nice horn tips and a good sand up to 400 or so to really make the grain come out and then a coat of varnish. Didn't lose any of its character in tillering, in fact I think it may have even got a bit more!

Brace Profile (left limb is top) Belly Character Back Character Let me know what you think

Col

That looks excellent!!! I look forward to seeing it some day.

Jeff

You've done a brilliant job working with all the "character" as you say, to bring out the best from the original stave. As always, well done.

cheers
sue

G/Day Colin, thanks for the invite Mate, thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The Staves looking good, I figured you'd do a little more work on it I just spent a while searching for what that interesting combination Round Rasp / Gimlet Tool you where cutting your string Grooves with. They are called a Stickleback Rasp. They are about, reasonable priced oversea's just not so available in Australia from my searches.

regards Perry

that is a terrific outcome from such a 'gnarly' stave Col. I know the work involved so great result. i have returned to a stave I started on some time ago as moisture content is better. Might have some shots of it in next few days too.Currently at 68 NTN and 40# @ 21''

Love it

Looking forward to seeing how it shoots

Cheers guys!! Will post up more photos when it's all finished up completely.

Thanks for the advice along the way Perry, and I'm really keen to see what that Osage gets turned into!

Thanks Bob! I'm sure yours will be a beauty! Loved working with the Osage as well. Such a responsive timber!

Jeff, I will bring it along when I get up there for a visit mate!

Col

hunterguy1991 wrote:Jeff, I will bring it along when I get up there for a visit mate!

I look forward to seeing it.

Jeff

Love it ..... how'd you go with the sinew I sent you? Did you get onto the arduous task of splitting it all down yet

No mate, have not yet split that up but I got my hands on some full buff horns so I'm going to make a Magyar composite bow with it. May even need more yet!