Red oak board bow (my 3rd working)

[Jon]

This was the third working bow I made. It draws 40# @ 28" unless my cheap scale is off, but it feels close. It didn't need a backing, but I felt safer with one so 2 layers of paper bag and just for the look prarie rattlesnake skin. The string is 70# artificial sinew and some rabbit fur silencers. A little stiff in the outer limbs, but it shoots nice.

[kauboy]

Alright... I'll say it...

THAT IS SLICK!!!!!!

Seriously, very nice work man.
I really like the black riser section. How did you get that look?
Detailed close-ups would be very much appreciated.

[Jon]

I forgot to mention it is 70" N2N and the tips were done with leftover red oak. I'll put some close ups up soon. The coloring was done with leather dye. Kind of difficult to work with because it tends to sand off while finishing with Tru-Oil and 400 grit sand paper, but the brown really brings out the red in the wood.

[munkin]

Very nice bow! The look is amazing.
What about the thickness of the paper that you used on the backing? how do you made the splice? (I suppose that you didn't use a 70'' piece of paper...!)

[Jon]

I just overlapped and cut the paper to length in the handle. The thickness was that of an ordinary grocery paper bag. It's a lot stronger than it seems. I just got a new camera so I'll get some closeup pics up later tonight.

[Jon]

As promised some closer pics of this bow.



This one shows the creases from the paper bag still in the backing, although they are flat with the bow.



The black and brown were done with leather dye and the finish is Tru-Oil.




Prarie rattlesnake skin with the leather handle wrap stitched on with craft grade artificial sinew.

[huntersteve]

very nice...I like the combination of color and the skins...Steve