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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 21, 2016, 11:15:00 PM

Title: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 21, 2016, 11:15:00 PM
So I have been working for some time now on coming up with my own takedown from a limb plan that Kenny graciously gave to me.

I have finally started to shape the riser. It's coming along nicely but I have learned that I hate my handle design. It looks great and feels really nice in the hand but I am just not a fan of the "recurve" style riser for a longbow.

I think I am going to go back to scratch and come up with a more neutral design for the riser. More like the ones I am building as a one piece.

Anyhow... Thought I would get your guys thoughts on this bow I am building now. It still needs more work but it's coming along...
  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/2166AC1B-3668-4E46-B867-265117CC6D50.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/2166AC1B-3668-4E46-B867-265117CC6D50.jpg.html)

  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/81704644-8826-41D9-93EB-3C015C12756A.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/81704644-8826-41D9-93EB-3C015C12756A.jpg.html)

  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/294A2A32-7786-4A46-9977-036391D8664A.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/294A2A32-7786-4A46-9977-036391D8664A.jpg.html)

  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/ACABC35F-6F28-4509-956D-1D10BD4C1E71.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/ACABC35F-6F28-4509-956D-1D10BD4C1E71.jpg.html)

I need to come up with what I am going to do with the area under the limbs. This bow is extremely heavy compared to my one pieces, though I could have selected some lighter wood as well.

This bow is gaboon ebony, cocobolo, white glass and Macassar ebony accents. Cocobolo limbs with African black wood overlays.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Roy from Pa on September 22, 2016, 05:23:00 AM
Looks nice, Justin.  But it does appear to be on the bulky side. Maybe just thin it down a bit?
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: EwokArcher on September 22, 2016, 09:46:00 AM
I think it looks pretty sick personally. I think I'm so attracted to it cause it is unusual, and I'm a big fan of the nontypical.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: kennym on September 22, 2016, 10:10:00 AM
I've never made a TD longbow riser I was happy with the look of. I think Pronghorns look about a slick as any. Smooth and no frilly look. Just me, and I never seem to be able to do it.

You have a great start on a great looking bow Justin. For me, I'd just keep smoothing the corners off and slim it a little more. (My gosh, I just agreed with Roy!!!!)  :laughing:
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: on September 22, 2016, 10:10:00 AM
Maybe just do a few mock-ups out of a 2x4 and see how you like them... Or look at what some of the other bowyers are doing and find something you like and do your own version...
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: BenBow on September 22, 2016, 10:32:00 AM
Looks to me you have a lot of wood from the grip to the end and the window to the end that could be removed. That would slim it down a lot. I've been dealing with the a same issue and this is what I've come up with so far.
     (http://i.imgur.com/sVNjvUD.jpg?1)
    (http://i.imgur.com/EwBkRMr.jpg)
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 22, 2016, 01:10:00 PM
Well the bow went on a diet today and I was able to shave off a bunch of wood. Still got a ton of shaping to do but it's coming along. Im still not happy with the bow personally but it will still be a shooter at the end.

I don't think I'll be making many of takedowns because I just don't like the weight.

  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/522BBEF8-1564-4A1D-92E0-06C62390EA8A.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/522BBEF8-1564-4A1D-92E0-06C62390EA8A.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: BenBow on September 22, 2016, 04:55:00 PM
Regardless you do good work
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Roy from Pa on September 22, 2016, 04:57:00 PM
I dunno know, Ben.

I guess he does..   :)
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 22, 2016, 04:58:00 PM
Thanks Ben... I still need to thin out the lower end of the riser. I didn't touch that as of yet except grind off the point that was there.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Crittergetter on September 22, 2016, 05:22:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Shredd:
Maybe just do a few mock-ups out of a 2x4 and see how you like them... Or look at what some of the other bowyers are doing and find something you like and do your own version...
This is what I've been doing. Still not completely happy with mine, but then I never am! Lol
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Pago on September 22, 2016, 05:48:00 PM
Looks good to me!
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: BrushWolf on September 22, 2016, 08:00:00 PM
Well you better just hurry up and get that thing out of your site. I think I can bury it in my backyard for ya. Just send it to me and I will take care of it.    :goldtooth:  
Looks awesome dude.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Wagstaff on September 22, 2016, 08:12:00 PM
Looks good...  I like where you're going with it.

You sure picked a gorgeous combination of woods..  I cant wait to see this one with a finish on it!
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: beachbowhunter on September 23, 2016, 11:22:00 AM
I think the diet is really working. I went through the same thing in designing my current handle. I prefer a recurve style grip for shooting, but the looks with a LB are a challenge.

The TD LB riser style that always catches my eye is the Thunderhorn. I think it is beautiful. I just might try to steal the shape!
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 23, 2016, 11:54:00 AM
I agree with ya Beach... i thought I would be more of a fan of the recurve styling on a longbow but to me it's not working. Probably during the winter I will go back to the drawing board and attempt something of a Thunderhorn style. Someone mentioned that to me on another site and I love the looks of it... But this one will be a true wall hanger anyhow and maybe it will grow on me towards the end.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: jsweka on September 24, 2016, 10:07:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by kennym:
 I think Pronghorns look about a slick as any. Smooth and no frilly look.  
I agree with Kenny.  As far as 3-piece longbows go, Pronghorns have my ideal riser design.

That being said Justin, I still to like your modification where you rounded of the riser ends more.  Excellent craftsmanship!  Give it a chance, maybe it will grow on you.  A 3-piece certainly has its advantages for travel.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: monterey on September 24, 2016, 07:43:00 PM
Is it the pic or my eyeballs or????..

Do you have it shaped to place the arrow shelf dead center?
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on September 24, 2016, 09:43:00 PM
Nope arrow shelf is 1.25 inches higher than center
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: monterey on September 24, 2016, 10:20:00 PM
Must be my eyes.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: beachbowhunter on September 24, 2016, 11:37:00 PM
Tell you what BHE, that is a dam fine piece of work though. The way you handled the wedges like a RC and the deflexed riser is, I think, going to make it a hot bow. Let us know how it shoots!
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Overspined on September 26, 2016, 11:29:00 PM
Great looking design.
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: savage1 on September 29, 2016, 09:28:00 AM
Look at a pronghorn. I have always liked the look for longbow but I prefer mass and shoot recurve.

Lou
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: bowhntineverythingnh03743 on November 29, 2016, 12:33:00 PM
Finally getting around to finishing this bow as well. This one will be finished out with Thunderbird Gloss clear. It has the first coat on and will wet sand with 1000 grit between coats. It is a killer looking bow and I can't wait to attempt my next one. I am going to redesign the riser and ask for input.

  (http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x344/bowhntineverythingnh03743/A0C5ECA3-1A2E-4CD0-9676-66EAC0C5C77B.jpg) (http://s1177.photobucket.com/user/bowhntineverythingnh03743/media/A0C5ECA3-1A2E-4CD0-9676-66EAC0C5C77B.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Designing a bow is tough
Post by: Kohlqez on November 29, 2016, 02:51:00 PM
I think it looks great the way it is, but it does seem like it would feel a bit off if you're used to more conventional longbow risers. You'd probably get used to it after a few hundred shots, but if you're intent on changing it to be more of a 'typical' longbow riser try making it a bit shorter and straighter