Resurrection bow: rises from the ashes

[Doc Nock]

Back more years than I want to remember, I got "back" into trad archery...borrowed a few bows, then bought a few used, then finally found something "neat".

Chap that bought Rocky Miller(?)Heritage Archery and moved it back East built nice bows. He had quit and went back to being a machinst to make $$ to support his family...but had left over bow I liked.  Bocote riser, purple heart strips and paduk someone tells me... and plain but fast red elm limbs.

He didn't  make it ff approved tips. I tried to get him to redo them, but he erronously told me, "...just add extra strands in the loops" NOT!

Cut the limbs like a laser.  We tried to resurrect his old form to rebuild new ones, but he had family things, then I did...never got done.

One limbed riser sat in my life taunting me for years...finally, I took pics and started sending around to bowyers but couldn't find much interest or I couldn't afford the freight.

UP on Gang jumps a guy in NM who builds bows for fun...offered to take a shot at making limbs.

It was a recurve but I've grown to like the quiet of longbow limbs...but seem to shoot recurve style risers better.

After a few sidebars while my new friend battled recurrance of cancer (successfully! Yeah!) the limbs continued in progress.

I just got them the other week and haven't had time to play, but wanted to share.

Olive Ash Burl I believe the lams are. My buddy likes to put veneers on the back side, black glass on the face to get the most efficiency out of the limbs.

See what you think.  I called it my "Resurrection Riser" because it was brought back to life by a dear friend, Benbow here, or Galen Benson, dear friend and talented man.

Thank you, Galen! You made me smile!

Back of bow w/ black glass


Gorgeous veneers


Riser w/ Stickshooter's Antler Burls and Cross


Strung profile for those who love those views (note the color got shifted somehow..dang digi cams!)  

[BenBow]

Dave I've enjoyed getting to know you through this project. It challenged me and really helped me get off my butt during this cancer crap. So I'm glad you like it and I pray it brings God's blessings to you. I put some more pictures in the Bowyers section that shows the riser before we started on it.    More pictures

[LimBender]

Very cool bow, too often those projects just keep gathering dust.

[MTArrowLauncher]

thats a beauty, cool that you kept with it and found someone to finish it

[DannyBows]

Very nice!    

[ron w]

Well it looks great     ....how's it shoot??

[Doc Nock]

Galen takes way better pics than I, so I hope you all clicked on his link to the Bowyer's Bench here and his post and pics.  It was quite a project and he did a lot of computerized design work he'd send me and make my eyes cross and brain sweat!    

Shoot? Are you "serious" Ron? That is too purdy to shoot!     :rolleyes:    :D  

It came just as my truck took ill, been fussing with that & trying to get things together to head outa town to finsh the PA bow season last week and the end DST so since I got back, no time or daylight to shoot it.

Shot a few arrows when it arrived...but it's been at least 9-10 yrs since I shot /handled that riser... I've got a few set up tweaks to do and then give it a thorough run...but I can tell it will just take a few tweaks to get it back where I am shooting it well!

Galen, I'm so delighted you found this to be therapy... cause to me its a minor miracle I have that riser back being serviceable.

Such pretty wood God grew and man made was a sin to have it lie idle all these years! You, Galen, and your heart, resurrected my riser!

[GRAYBEARD]

Wonderful outcomes for both stories! Beautiful olive ash on those limbs.

[2dogs]

Sweet lookin' bow Doc. Glad you found someone to take on the task.
Ya made me come back. Haven't been here long time.

[chopx2]

It's gorgeous doc. That promises to be a sweet shooter. Better keep track of it next time i visit. Might find itself getting lost in my gear...lol

[motormouth]

I love the bow, old man!!! Been thinkin bout gettin myself my very own bow, built for me. Also gettin dad a custom bow for Christmas. Hope your well, Doc.

[Mudd]

Absolutely awesome in every aspect.

Thank you for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

[Lee Viv]

very nice Dave!  I may have to saunter up to Lititz to see it and shoot it...git it ready for White Clay second season!


Lee

[bear1336]

Great looking bow but the shelf is on the wrong side for me. LOL

[Night Wing]

That's a great looking hybrid longbow. I really like a longbow with a recurve style grip and your's is a beauty.

[Big Ed]

Nice looking bow!!

[Thumper Dunker]

   

[Doc Nock]

You're willing to "try" Chop!  

MM, old...? who you callin "old", PUP! Good to see you still sitting up taking nourishment. Fine jesture to do for your Dad... excellent!

Lee, you need no special invite to do just that... get yer fanny off the couch and come visit!

David, rightminded and left handed are ya, eh? So much for being in MY will!  

Joe, beautifuly yak and recurver risers w/ longbow limbs do just seem to work, don't they? I tend to need all the help I can git and that extra riser mass surely helps I think.

Ed, et al, thanks for the kind words, but the real cudos go to Galen... re-angled the limb pockets, tapered the riser to fit longbow limb bases, hit the draw length and weight perfect and all his computer work tells us that it hit the high % efficiency for stored energy.

Now to get it set up to my style shooting and start making holes in stuff!

[elkken]

Great story David .... this bow should have some blessed Karma for sure. Now if we could just resurrect your leg life would be good.

Good shoot'n the beautiful bow.    

[drewsbow]

Great job Galen        
Dave : that is one sweet looking bow , congrats and I hope it shoots as good as it looks. Drew