Custom order for a tall fellow

[hunterguy1991]

During the Abbey Medieval festival this year I was approached by a chap and asked to make him up a custom English longbow. My response was "sure mate, love to make one for you"... So we started talking about timbers etc and getting a design for the bow going. We settled on a back and belly combo of Hickory and something "red" in colour, and as he is a rather tall chap and pulls about 30 inches to his lip I decided to make it 78" ntn... challenge was the weight of just 40lbs at that 30 inches...

Originally I wanted to get some Red Ironbark to use but a call to the timber supplier I usually go to for it crossed out that plan... so I rummaged around in my timber stock and found a piece of Massaranduba that I had purchased a while back for a warbow belly (that I hadn't get around to yet), but it was a beautiful red colour (almost like medium rare steak from the oxidation layers either side of the board). Having seen this stuff used in high end longbows in the UK I figured why not give it a crack.

This is the result of my work on it so far... Still have to get some black horn (or a good substitute) on it but I'm pretty happy with the shape and how its shooting.

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Feels a little odd pulling a bow that's only 40lbs like a warbow

This is a look at the colour the Massaranduba took with a fine sand up to 360 and a satin wipe on finish (only first finish coat). Can just make out the thin oxide layer before it goes into the hickory back... Arrow pass is horn offcut from a set of warbow arrows, my own personal shape.

Colin

[Gilly]

Nice looking bow!
Bit light but each to their own!

[perry]

Looks good Colin. Liking the Inlay's your doing now. I have not used Massaranduba. Last night I was Driving home from Gary P place after he Bandsawed some Red Oak Boards into Staves for me I was thing of making a Bamboo Backed Bow from the lesser quality Stave and my thoughts drifted to a Recurve then a Trilam. I like it's fine Grain, might have to buy some Massaranduba and see what happens

regards Perry

[hunterguy1991]

Cheers Gilly, I was surprised to hear he only wanted 40lbs too but I guess its better than being over bowed.

Haha so many options Perry!

I think bamboo on some Massaranduba would make for a very quick combination. I have a little 71" Mass stave here that I think I will put some bamboo on. Originally it had a maple back but another experiment I did with maple back failed so I decided to scrap it and sawed it back off.

Only place I know of to get it up here is Matthie Timbers down in Yatala tho but for decking boards its quite cheap. Im actually heading down there to get more Lemonwood and a few boards of it on Monday, I can grab a board or 2 for you as well if you'd like??

Cheers,

Colin

[Gringa Bows]

Looks good Colin

[perry]

Thanks for the offer Colin. I am going to the Hinterland Shoot on the Friday and coming Home on the Monday so I'll drop by myself on the way past.

I was thinking today there was a tall Fella I was speaking too at the Abbey, I wonder if it was the same Fella - so many People ask me if my Bows are for Sale or if I could make them one every time I go to the Abbey. I'll be Teaching a Young Fella to make a Bow who asked me at the Abbey down at the Hinterland Shoot.

regards Perry

[hunterguy1991]

Perry,

Could have been the same bloke Perry, but who knows...

He came and spoke to me several times about getting one and the last time must have decided it was a worthwhile investment so he ordered one.

I'm aiming to be down there around 9:30-10:00 on Monday. Bit of a hike and lots to do that arvo so I figured I'd get down there early and get home.

Cheers,

Colin

[Jgam]

By way of follow up to this post, the 'Tall Fellow' is very happy with his bow. You did great work Colin and I am honoured to own it.

As to the 40 pounds ... well it's bang on for me as a learner. Nice that I dont have to walk so far when I miss when I get better, Ill get something that throws them further.

Thank you for the advice and great work Colin, you are a champion and happy to reccomend your work to anyone.

P.S. Perry that was me stalking you asking lots of questions, I tend to stick out in a crowd. As always expect more questions to follow.

[hunterguy1991]

Great to hear from you John and I'm glad the bow is going well. We'll get you into a new set of matched arrows and some instruction if you want and we'll get you shooting small change in no time