Osage 1

 Osage rings...

The Snake

 Some working photos of an extremely snakey, juniper-sinew bow.

Finished:

Rechecking the tiller to try to solve a noise problem.  Lower limb slightly stiffer than upper; shouldn't be a big deal.

 Juniper-Sinew Recurve, 40 pounds at 27"

$500.

Hand-made, primitive recurve bow. Carved from rocky mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), backed with genuine elk (Cervus canadensis) sinew and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer) skin. Pulls 40 pounds at 27 inches, ideal for target shooting but powerful enough to hunt deer and small game. Can be shot right or left handed.  

This bow is crafted from rocky mountain juniper, legally and sustainably harvested in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. It is backed with four layers of elk sinew from a Red Desert bull, covered with genuine bull snake skin and decorated with hand-made, mineral pigment tempura. The limb tip overlays are made from elk hoof (from the same bull that provided the sinew), and the handle is wrapped in braided deer skin. It is sealed with beeswax/lard/pine pitch varnish.

The only modern part of the bow is the string, which I hand-twisted from waxed Dacron thread for safety and reliability.

The bow includes three target/small game arrows. I hand-make these from douglas fir wood, dyed with aniline pigment, fletched with legally harvested, Wyoming wild turkey feathers, wrapped with silk thread and tipped with brass field points. It also comes with a nice, fleece bow bag.

Interested?  Email WhistlingBadger@gmail.com.

More information and pictures below.

(Not exactly competition-grade shooting, 

but that isn't the bow's fault)

More info:

My bows are a mixture of Native American and Ancient European design and techniques, reflecting both my own heritage and love of the land. I craft them entirely with hand tools, from natural, sustainably harvested materials. They are fully functional weapons, but I try to make them beautiful enough to simply hang on the wall and admire. I think of them as functional artwork.

Please Read This Before Buying. By purchasing this bow, you understand and agree to the following:

This bow is a genuine weapon, not a toy. The arrows are capable of causing injury and death. Do not use this bow without proper instruction, supervision, and safety equipment.

Please be aware that this is a primitive bow, built with primitive materials and techniques, and shooting such a bow entails certain risks. It is more fragile than a modern, fiberglass bow. With proper care and treatment, these risks can be minimized.

I do not hesitate to hunt with such weapons myself, and I have shot around two hundred arrows through this particular bow with no problems. But on rare occasions, primitive weapons do break. Sometimes there are hidden flaws in the wood that will cause it to break. There might be hidden flaws in my craftsmanship that will cause it to break. You might use it in an improper way that causes it to break (see below). User assumes all responsibilities and risks. Always inspect the bow for any signs of damage or wear before use. If in doubt, you are welcome to contact me with any questions.

Juniper wood is soft and easily scratched. Snakeskin is tough, but it is also subject to scratching and wear. Treat your bow kindly. Minor scratches to the skin or the belly of the bow shouldn't affect performance or safety, but they don't look pretty.

I have carefully tillered this bow to 27 inches, which will be plenty for an average sized adult. Please don’t draw the bow any farther than that, as you might over-strain the limbs. Never give this bow to someone who isn't trained in its use, who might pull it beyond 27", string it backwards, or otherwise damage your bow.

I strongly recommend using a proper bow stringer, as other methods of stringing might cause your limbs to twist. Be sure to unstring the bow when you aren’t shooting it so the wood and sinew can rest. Leaving it strung for more than a few hours at a time can damage the bow, decreasing its power.

Excessive heat and excessive moisture can damage the sinew backing on the bow. Don't leave it in your car in the sunshine. If you use your bow in the rain or in high humidity, keep it as dry as possible, wipe off excess moisture, and store it in a warm, dry place between shooting sessions.

I recommend treating your bow with lard, bear grease, or a natural beeswax/oil mixture at least a couple times a year to keep it protected from the elements. This is especially important if you live in a humid climate.

This bow does not have an arrow rest; it is meant to be shot off the side of the hand. I strongly recommend wearing a leather glove on your bow hand to protect it from the feathers, which can cause injury if they come loose. Always examine your arrows for damage or wear before shooting. I also recommend a shooting glove and arm guard, especially if you are new to primitive archery.

I think you are going to love this bow, but I offer a one month, money-back guarantee. Buyer covers return shipping. Since I have no control over the conditions under which this bow is stored or used, I offer no warranty beyond that.

Take good care of your bow and it should take good care of you. Have fun, be safe, and practice, practice, practice! Genesis 27:3