Finished up a giant killer....
Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 7:31 pm
Made up a bow for my 5yo old daughter today from a new timber for me, a local wattle that goes by 'bloodwood'. I can't find any species specific name as yet, which isn't that helpful as there are plenty of other 'bloodwoods' here in Oz. The outer white sapwood comes off easily with a draw knife and the heartwood feels about the same density of cypress - without all those horrible knots! It appears to grow in good lengths of knot free and without major twists etc. that the Eucalypts seem to love. It has a nice reddish/sandy tinge in smaller specimens which darkens as it gets bigger/older.
Specs:
36"
15lb @ 12"
Venetian Cord String
'Bloodwood' Selfbow
A slight hinge in the right limb and it's taken a bit of set, but that might have been me pulling too hard to see if it would break/perform.
Couldn't stop laughing how quick it shot a kids arrow (poplar dowel with foam point). Just need to make up some nocking points on the string, and work out something for a shelf - she can't quite get the hang of shooting off the knuckle yet. I was seriously impressed with how well it worked, so making a fullsize from this timber has jumped the build queue. I've got a couple of flatish pieces that I might try a Holmegaard/Andaman from.
Steve
Specs:
36"
15lb @ 12"
Venetian Cord String
'Bloodwood' Selfbow
A slight hinge in the right limb and it's taken a bit of set, but that might have been me pulling too hard to see if it would break/perform.
Couldn't stop laughing how quick it shot a kids arrow (poplar dowel with foam point). Just need to make up some nocking points on the string, and work out something for a shelf - she can't quite get the hang of shooting off the knuckle yet. I was seriously impressed with how well it worked, so making a fullsize from this timber has jumped the build queue. I've got a couple of flatish pieces that I might try a Holmegaard/Andaman from.
Steve