My new longbow

[luvtohnt]

With the help of a local bowyer I made a reflex deflex style laminated long bow. It was so much fun going through the process of picking wood, cutting it out, tillering, and now all I have left is to get a string, and start shooting. Some specs total length is 66 1/2" AMO is 65 1/2", I conditioned the wood for a draw length of about 28", at that length it is 68 pounds. I can effectively only draw 26-27" and at that length the weight is 61-65 pounds. It is made from white hickory (belly), ipe (handle and middle layer), and single growth ring hickory (backing). I think I am going to invest in some tools so I can make some more of my own. I am going to pair it with some homemade bamboo arrows (I like the weight of the bamboo, much heavier than cedar and poplar), and I think I may even try some trade points for hunting. I included a link to the trade points so you can see what they look like.
http://216.119.68.89/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=307&zenid=210074e3e56c61659af39ea1782b65c5
Brandon

[Shootmoore]

Very cool!  Something I have always wanted to do but don't know how to do it.  Much nicer than my old Apple limb bows I used to make as a kid.

Shootmoore

[Ray]

luvtohunt, nice work on your new bow. I think you made a great choice in wood. Very sturdy and rugged yet capable of launching missiles well. I also have the itch to make a bow now and then and it is somewhat addicting.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Nice work! 

[Machias]

Nice job!

[washelkhntr]

  Looks good!

[quadrafire]

Sweet bow. Is the upper limb longer than the lower? Does the length of each limb matter in the tillering process? I have some wood cut and drying. Have read the Bowyers bible series and am itching to try my hand.

[boneaddict]

Excited to see this one(at work).  Sounds very cool!

[luvtohnt]

Sweet bow. Is the upper limb longer than the lower? Does the length of each limb matter in the tillering process? I have some wood cut and drying. Have read the Bowyers bible series and am itching to try my hand.

No, the limbs are the exact same length, I had to angle the bow to make it stand up. The picture makes it look odd. I am surprised no one mentioned any thing about the bailing twine string!

Excited to see this one(at work).  Sounds very cool!

I shot it a couple times, and with the bamboo arrows it seems to shoot super fast for a longbow. I am excited as well but I need money for arrows, and a real string before I can really shoot it. I will try to make a video of it shooting when I complete it.

Brandon 

[CoryTDF]

Lovetohnt,

Jim is a great guy. Looks like he helped you to make an amazing bow. I hope you draw blood with is next season. I know the bows i have made have killed a lot of rabbits. I guess i should try shooting a deer with one next year. Anyway, nice bow man!

[GoldTip]

Thats a great looking bow, good luck with putting one on the ground with it in the coming fall.

[boneaddict]

I hope you hunt with it.  You can't imagine the exhilaration you'll feel when you get that first kill with it.  Other than spear or hand to hand, its about as primitive and tight as you can get.  Nice job.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Agree 100% with Bone,  killed many animals with my guns and compounds,  then switched to a recurve and took a blacktail doe last year with it.  This year took 2 does,  one with my Kabekona LB and just last month with my new voodoo stik longbow.  Definetly not my biggest deer,  nor a buck but still an exhilerating experience.  Made the stalk much more intense also.   By the way it is all I use even for 3D and indoor shooting now. 

[luvtohnt]

Put the stain (cherry) and clear coat on, gave it a good wax to protect from weather, added an arrow rest, and a leather hand wrap. Defiantly a beautiful piece of work!!

Brandon

[ribka]

Nice looking bow. As NWWABHNTR    mentioned any deer taken with your trad bow, especially a self made bow,  is a real trophy.
Where did you get the shafts for the bamboo arrows?