Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
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Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
I had a piece of Macassar Ebony stored in the workshop for some years. Because this timber is prone to end checking I decided to wrap it in plastic film. After removing the plastic wrap the ebony had appeared to have lost its depth of colour.
I do not know if this was natural occurrence or if there was a reaction to the plastic film.
The ebony was 23” long and measured 3” x 1 ¾” in cross section. My riser design required the timber to be a little over 4” in depth so a little creative cutting and joining was required.
African Blackwood was used for the contrast strips.
The bow was laid up on the form, [a copy of Black Widow 70’s bows] I built in 2009. Smooth on was used for the layup and cured at ambient temperature. Clamps and pressure strips were used to hold the components in place.
I had intended to use black glass for this project but as I had none left in stock I had to settle for brown glass, hence the name Brown Widow. I quite like the brown glass.
Daryl.
I do not know if this was natural occurrence or if there was a reaction to the plastic film.
The ebony was 23” long and measured 3” x 1 ¾” in cross section. My riser design required the timber to be a little over 4” in depth so a little creative cutting and joining was required.
African Blackwood was used for the contrast strips.
The bow was laid up on the form, [a copy of Black Widow 70’s bows] I built in 2009. Smooth on was used for the layup and cured at ambient temperature. Clamps and pressure strips were used to hold the components in place.
I had intended to use black glass for this project but as I had none left in stock I had to settle for brown glass, hence the name Brown Widow. I quite like the brown glass.
Daryl.
"And you must not stick for a groat or twelvepence more than another man would give, if it be a good bow.
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Short Bows are so Sexy, top looking Bow Daryl
regards Perry
regards Perry
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "
- Charles Darwin
- Charles Darwin
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Now that is SWEET!!!!Very nice Daryl I like the brown glass too!
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com
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Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Fantastic result Daryl. In my opinion the brown glass looks a lot better than black would. The creative work to line up the grain feature came off very well indeed.
Cheers... Rod
Cheers... Rod
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Beautiful, the brown glass really works.
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Morning All.
If you want to make a bow with good shooting characteristics and are not willing/capapable to do the designing/maths/prototyping/testing consider going with a proven design rather than trying to "re-invent the wheel".
Something to consider. Both Daryl and I own older Black Widow bows. Dig through the archives if you want to see them. Daryl's Black Widow was designed in the 1960s. Both of us hold an opinion that the original bows are still excellent to shoot. I would be happy to shoot a modern version today. IMO The design is as good today as it was 50 years ago.greybeard wrote:.... The bow was laid up on the form, [a copy of Black Widow 70’s bows] I built in 2009. ....
If you want to make a bow with good shooting characteristics and are not willing/capapable to do the designing/maths/prototyping/testing consider going with a proven design rather than trying to "re-invent the wheel".
Grahame.
Shoot a Selfbow, embrace Wood Arrows, discover Vintage, be a Trendsetter.
"Unfortunately, the equating of simplicity with truth doesn't often work in real life. It doesn't often work in science, either." Dr Len Fisher.
Shoot a Selfbow, embrace Wood Arrows, discover Vintage, be a Trendsetter.
"Unfortunately, the equating of simplicity with truth doesn't often work in real life. It doesn't often work in science, either." Dr Len Fisher.
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Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Absolutely stunning bow Daryl! How's it shoot?
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Nice bow daryl, beautiful as usual,Gazza.
The older i get the better i was
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow
That is a sweet looking bow. Very similar to the Wing slimline bow. Nice workmanship
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Wow that is a beautiful bow hows it shoot ?
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Beautiful work Daryl.
The shortest distance between two points is a FLATLINE
Email; robnicoll(at)bigpond(dot)com
www.flatlinebows.com.au
Email; robnicoll(at)bigpond(dot)com
www.flatlinebows.com.au
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Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
yes very nice
Re: Macassar Ebony and the Brown Widow.
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies.
Planning the design of the handle was a bit of a challenge as I did not want to overpower the colour/grain pattern in the ebony. I believe the African Blackwood accent strips achieved the desired result.
Personally I prefer the brown glass but the majority of clients [from my bow making workshops] seemed to gravitate towards black glass.
Of the thirty plus bow making workshops that I ran one client selected clear glass and although brown glass was offered the other clients chose black glass.
Perhaps their decision was such because the majority of commercially made bows feature black glass.
The bow delivers the arrow to the selected spot with what appears to be an acceptable speed but at the same time being a little noisy. I have run out of adjustment in the string for tuning so I need to order another string.
Daryl.
Thank you for your replies.
Planning the design of the handle was a bit of a challenge as I did not want to overpower the colour/grain pattern in the ebony. I believe the African Blackwood accent strips achieved the desired result.
Personally I prefer the brown glass but the majority of clients [from my bow making workshops] seemed to gravitate towards black glass.
Of the thirty plus bow making workshops that I ran one client selected clear glass and although brown glass was offered the other clients chose black glass.
Perhaps their decision was such because the majority of commercially made bows feature black glass.
The bow delivers the arrow to the selected spot with what appears to be an acceptable speed but at the same time being a little noisy. I have run out of adjustment in the string for tuning so I need to order another string.
Although not a major player such as Bear, Pearson or Hoyt the Wilson brothers produced a reasonable number of bows to suit a particular market.greybeard wrote:.........The bow was laid up on the form, [a copy of Black Widow 70’s bows] I built in 2009.....Daryl.
Daryl.
"And you must not stick for a groat or twelvepence more than another man would give, if it be a good bow.
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]
I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....