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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Pat B on July 20, 2009, 12:06:00 AM

Title: pulled it too far!
Post by: Pat B on July 20, 2009, 12:06:00 AM

This is the bow I built last Christmas to be my hunting bow for this fall. Thin ringed osage, rawhide backing(tiger striped tissue paper decoration), 55#@26" and it shot a 650gr arrow with authority!...but Friday evening I pulled it too far. It only takes 1" over it's intended draw length for this to happen. I should have known better...after 20+ years of wood bow building.
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ShereKhanbroke003.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ShereKhanbroke001.jpg)
 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/ShereKhanbroke002.jpg)

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: marlon on July 20, 2009, 02:18:00 AM

Thats a shame pat. Build another. Cheers Marlon

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: broketooth on July 20, 2009, 06:54:00 AM

wow mr pat, are you ok, i know when a bow blows up a person can walk away with some scratches and such.i remember when you first posted that bow. it was a looker

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: ProArcher on July 20, 2009, 07:58:00 AM

Pat sorry to see that all I can say is ouch

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: ole yeller dust on July 20, 2009, 09:32:00 AM

you dont look that strong to me

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Dano on July 20, 2009, 09:38:00 AM

Glad you didn't get hurt too bad, physically that is.   :rolleyes:    :D

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Pat B on July 20, 2009, 11:15:00 AM

...the fun part of wood bow building.  If you ain't breaking them, you ain't making them!  I did get a little scratch on my left side but no other damage. I was in my living room when it blew. Scared the heck out of my choc lab!
  I had an ERC blow like this one time but never expected it from an osage bow. Live and learn!    Now, on to the next one!

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Dano on July 20, 2009, 11:26:00 AM

It is sad to see all that work go to splinters, but as you say "If you ain't breaking them, you ain't making them!" If that was your huntin bow you better get busy.

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Chester Thompson on July 20, 2009, 12:58:00 PM

Was it the knot that caused the bow to blow up like that?

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Pat B on July 20, 2009, 01:10:00 PM

I caused it to blow like that by pulling it too far. The knot is just where it gave way.

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: ChristopherO on July 20, 2009, 03:50:00 PM

That is just plain ugly to see such a beautiful bow turn to kindling like that. I, too, remember when you posted that pretty weapon.
I was finish up an osage bow, just yesterday, for my brother and noticed a fatal chrysal formed.  It is a big one, too.  My bro said don't worry about it he will hang it up in his rustic room as a decoration.  If this were so easy I guess everyone would be making them!

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Frank on July 20, 2009, 05:58:00 PM

Sorry for your loss.

But on the bright side, it looks like you have a nice hawk or hatchet handle, a few good knife scales and I bet the one limb would make a great atlatl thrower.

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: BEN on July 20, 2009, 06:25:00 PM

Glad you weren't hurt----now you have an excuse to get busy on another!  :coffee:

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: eaglefeather on July 20, 2009, 11:54:00 PM

Sorry for the loss,atleast your not hurt,wait till stringstreatcher sees it!man!!!!

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: scrub-buster on July 21, 2009, 01:35:00 AM

Looks like a good reason to build a new one.

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: va on July 21, 2009, 08:29:00 AM

Pat B - thank you for posting this thread.  I learn more from mistakes than success.  You have the strength of character needed to show a mistake and illustrate the lesson.

Thank you.

va

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Pat B on July 21, 2009, 10:38:00 PM

va, I still have my first osage bow that broke 19 years ago. I still study it on occasion. When I started building wood bows I had to rely on my mistakes to teach me. It is a slow and frustrating way to learn but the lessons usually stick pretty well. Nothing to be ashamed of. d;^)

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Bjorn on July 22, 2009, 12:55:00 PM

Love the graphics Pat! Looking forward to seeing the replacement.

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: Pat B on July 22, 2009, 10:49:00 PM

Bjorn, The graphics are tiger print tissue paper added over the rawhide. I have leopard and zebra print too.
  I'm looking forward to the replacement too!!!

Title: Re: pulled it too far!
Post by: ichiban on July 23, 2009, 05:22:00 AM

aww that sucks, here in aus i always hear about the amazing propertys of osage,yew,lemonwood and hickoy etc but it would seem that they all are just as disobediant as aussie trees. once again that SUX