Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: WyomingWhitetail on April 02, 2025, 07:19:33 PM
I roughed this bow out years ago but never got past that point. (//)I've never finished a self bow, just started several. It's 1 inch wide at the handle with a straight taper down to 1/2 inch at the tips. The handle is about 5/8 wide, no idea why i made it so small. Currently 60 inches long. There is a crack going into the side of one limb which is why I quit working on it originally I think. Another crack at one tip.
Recently got the self bow bug again and want to actually get something made. I had the thought of trying to finish this one out for my 9 year old to shoot. Something in the neighborhood of 20# at 24" or so.
With the cracks and stuff is this even something I should work on or should I just cut it into kindling now?
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Was that stave sawn out? Those cracks follow the grain.
I honestly don't remember how I shaped it. It was like 15 years ago. It started out as a split stave from a log though. Actually think it was a side split that splintered off while I was splitting the main log, which is why it is so small.
Hickory is quite tough and is almost impossible to break. Put super glue in those cracks and if necessary you can add a wrap around the beginning of them. I think it is worth a try.
+1 what Pat B says. As tough as hickory is, when I see a suspicious crack I'll wrap the area in rawhide or sinew. I will often put a similar wrap on the opposite limb to make it look like I intended the wrap all along. :biglaugh: