I received my longbow yesterday from my good friend Bob Barnes. He and I talked a little over a month ago about him building me a bow. Well he being a teacher meant he is off work for a couple of weeks around the holidays. So we began to converse again about a bow. He already had a Bamboo backed Ipe already glued up with an Osage handle. I told him that I had read some good things about this combination. So he proceeded with the bow. We talked on the phone for several hours and then conversed by e-mail from then on. As Christmas Day came around he was diligently working. It was cold out side and he was trying desperatly to keep some heat in his shop. But on he went. He was also building a bow for another man at the same time so this meant some long days for him. New-years came and he was applying the finishing touches. On Jan 2nd it was in the mail! I received it on Friday the 4th right after I got off work. This bow is beautiful! It is 66" 46# @ 28". It is Bamboo backed Ipe with Osage riser. It has horn tip overlays and Osage overlays on the belly of the tips! This bow is so smooth! It shoots where I look and is plenty fast for an all wood bow. The neat thing about this combination is you can leave it strung all day and when I unstring it it goes right back to reflex. No string follow! I want to personally thank Bob for an outstanding bow. I have also been bit by the bow building bug. Over the holiday I was busy also. I built a tillering tree to add to my string jig. Now I am working on a bow form. This stuff is addictive! Bob has been very helpful in helping me get started. I also appreciate Ferret, Horseapple and the many others who have posted build-along links on this web site. Hopefully the next post I do will be one that I have built. Here's some pics!
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00575.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00576.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00577.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00581.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00582.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00578.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00579.jpg)
(http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z130/bruce_smith777/DSC00580.jpg)
That's one sweet looking bow. Congrats.
Congrats! Nothing much like the thrill of a new custom bow. I'm so addicted to it that I buy a new one every year, always from a different bowyer, then generally (not always) sell the previous year's bow to help pay for the new one. This keeps me perpetually waited and excited about a new bow being built, and helps support bowyers. Doesn't do much for my retirement possibilities, but we all have our weaknesses. Have fund. dave
Bob is a very good bowyer and a heck of a nice guy who is always willing to share his knowledge and love of the sport. I am proud to call him my friend.
Bob makes an outstanding bow! I had one and regret getting rid of it. Yours looks to be quite nice! Congrats!!
That is one good looking bow.
Thanks guy's. I have traded for a lot of bow's but this one is special indeed! For any of you guy's that don't know Bob he has been a regular on this bow site for a long time. I agree he is a great guy!
-Leonard-
Bob has been a regular here for a long time also.
well heck...I appreciate the kind words and I really am glad that you like the bow. You know that's why I never take orders on bows...I worry too much that someone will not like what i make them. I thank you for letting me play with it and make it like I would make my own. I hope that you enjoy it for a long time to come.
Judging by my tradgang number...I have been here a VERY long time... LOL.
Bob
Your welcome Bob. Now if I can just get that bow away from my son!LOL!
-Leonard-
I have three of Bob's bows, they are shooters indeed. I have lots of bows, but a little 62" r/d BBO that Bob made is my favorite hunting bow. I call it The Twig, there nothing to it, 52# at 28" but it casts a 550grn cedar like a lazer beam.
Congratulations on your bow!
Curt
Thanks Curt. My BBIpe cast's a heavy arrow pretty well also. In fact it kind of prefers them! I may have to come up with a name for this bow.
-Leonard-
Bob , thats a dandy bow for sure...mark
nice looking bow :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
That is indeed a beaut of a bow.
What is the black between the Osage and the Ipe on the riser and on the tip overlays?
Kenny, that is the glue line. Pretty neat effect huh! Leonard.
Resorcinol glue is dark...Gary Davis uses it so I gave it a try. It holds great but has dark glue lines unlike the Urac that I usually use.
Bob
Bob, have you tried your new hot box yet?
I rigged a computer fan and temperature sensor to it and used it to dry some wood...it worked great. I don't plan on making a glass bow for now...I have too many wood bows to finish first. :)
Bob
Does anyone know if this is a Bob Barns bow?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v462/Cbireley/ambush20curve-hickory20backed20yew20LB200102_zps732292df.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cbireley/media/ambush20curve-hickory20backed20yew20LB200102_zps732292df.jpg.html)
Hows it going Bob? School out yet?
The chicken master really does do some awesome work.
I haven't seen the pictures of yours yet but I sort of know what to expect.
God bless,Mudd
yes...
Bob
I had one and it was exquisitely crafted. A little stout for me or it would have been my treasured, go to bow. I shoulda kept it just to look at it. I sold it back to the fella I bought it from and he was more than happy to take it back.