I think i need to build a few pedestals or plaques to mount some euro mounts on. Or think of something to make out of this mess. I guess i let a few seasons back up on me.
Impressive collection! Please post pics with what you decide to do. I also have numerous euro mounts & am looking for ideas. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Im not sure. Several of the antlers (not in this pic. ) have been used for bow tips on some of my custom made bows, as well as buttons or screw heads. I have only keep hog heads over 350+ lbs that had good looking cutters. I gave loads of others away.
ipe, osage, bamboo quadlam r/d longbow. 68lbs@28". Tips elk and whitetail antler Brazilian walnut, osage, bamboo trilam. 65lbs@28". Whitetail antler tips. Brazilian walnut, black walnut, osage, bamboo quadlam, r/d 60lbs@28". Whitetail antler tips. Osage, black walnut, bamboo. Buffalo leather grip, 58lbs@ 28". R/d longbow. whitetail antiler tips. Fresh cut hackberry getting ready to be made into a bow. mesquite bamboo almost finished. walnut bamboo maple osage, ipe Osage bamboo Ipe cocaboa Cherry maple
Wow, those are some beautiful products. I especially like that you use Osage. Hedge is often called a nuisance type tree because they're so hardy and grow so fast, but I love seeing them turned into something beautiful and useful. My dream is to one day cut a Black Walnut, Osage Orange and Ashe down and have our local bow builder make me a custom recurve.
What makes it (Osage) the best if you don't mind me asking some questions? I love Walnut for it's color and usually perfectly straight grain. Also, why Hackberry? It's not even a hardwood is it? Is Ashe or Elm ever used for bow making? Again, sorry for all the questions but I am really interested in this topic!
If you make glass lam bows the wood doesn't matter. I use no glass. Bow woods have to be able to take tension forces on the back and compression on the belly. Some can handle tension but not compression. Others can handle compression but not tension. Some can handle both. Osage handles them both and is a dense wood. Both good qualities for a bow. Brazilian walnut is another. Also set is an issue. Set is when the wood wants to stay bent because of the string bending it. Well made bows have little set and some woods set less than others. Osage has little set. Part of making organic bows is knowing the woods and reading the grain. Ive made lots of bows from many different woods. I like to use local woods. Here in Texas hackberry,elm, osage, locust, mulberry, pecan ( not the best hickory),and mesquit are good woods. I can go cut them myself and cure them for free. I buy the exotics like brazilian walnut because it is such a good bow wood. Bamboo is my choice for a backing material. It has a perfect grain and handles tension great. You asked about black walnut. Its not all that great of a backing wood but makes a decent belly wood. Handles compression ok but not tension all that well. Hackberry is a hard wood and makes a good selfbow. Ash is ok but not the best. Oak is ok and an easy wood to learn with but takes too much set. I also have ued cherry, which makes a fast bow but is hard to work with. Maple also makes a fast bow but does not like to be compressed. Pear, plumb, and purple heart are some other woods i have used.
Wow Burnie, beautiful bows and wow at the extreme talent you have in making them!!! I make my "homemade" recurves out of a premium material, white in color and circular in shape... Sold in 10ft sections at Menards... Real nice material i like to call "sch. 40"... Durable, resilient, and if i dont like it i move on to the next 10' LOL. One day i would love to have a beautiful handmade bow like one of yours. It must be quite an experience taking animals with a bow you built with your own hands
Wow burnie. Gotta say that is amazing work, beautiful, the bows look simply amazing! Impressive collection of euro mounts also, all around great pics.
What an awesome collection of both bone and bows. I'm very impressed. I see you live in TX. Do you know David Neidigh (Renegade Archery out of Athens, TX)? He made my custom longbow for me. I'm just guessing that bowyers know other bowyers. Anyway, kudos for your trophies. I dream of having your "problem" hahaha!
That's awesome! Hackberry is one of my favorite trees! Great for hinging, climbing stands and clean cutting (shoots galore next year for browse)....never knew it made a good bow wood!
