Just shot a 45lb.black locust bow i built this past winter today.I shot around 75 arrows, and felt like the bow was really snappy.So i chronied it.It is a reflex ,deflex 62 inches long 45lbs. at 26 inch draw.Shot 10 shots static release 450 gr arrow 151fps average.I also shot 10 shots fluid release at an average of 158 fps.I am getting better with each build thanks to you guys giving me pointers on these threads.Just had to share this with you guys ,Thanks.

nice shooting ,, keep up the good work,,

How about some pics please. Rick

Rick,the bow is one and one half inches wide at fades tapered to one half wide at the tips.Trapped the back a little more than one eighth of an inch.Quarter inch shelf cut into the handle.Five inch handle that works a little in the last two inches of draw.Mild reflex for about the last 7 inches of the tip.This is my best black locust bow so far other attempts have not gone nearly as well as selfbows.I do have a real nice shooter that i made that is sinew backed with nearly the same specs.My wife comes home tonight i will see if a can get her to put some pics on here as i am computer illiturate when it comes that stuff.I thought you asked for some specs.Da.

That's good speed. BL is a mighty fine bow wood. Jawge

Guess you have to type first. LoL Mighty good for 45 pounds at 26" >>>----> Ken

well Jawge and Ken i was really excited about it, so i had to share with some one. No better place than here.Now i will check and recheck those numbers on different days because when you chrony you get different numbers on different days,but i could tell while i was shooting it that it was a snappy bow.I have struggled with black locust,but finally made some that i really like.I have had 3 break on the back, and 2 that chrysalled on the belly.I shot it today for around 200 arrows, and kept checking it back and belly.So far it is good, but i will not jump to any conclusions with black locust bows,i have learned what can happen.Now i will shoot it everyday and as much as i can to see what happens.Thanks 2 bears and george,and santefe.

Preeettty snappy little bow it sounds like.

Good job on that one!

Thanks guys ,that is a wonderful compliment by some excellent bowyers.I was just about to give up an black locust,followed some instructions here, and it has made a big difference in that bow build. God bless you all.

Bassman, i know this us a dumb question but what does trapping a back mean?

Simple put the back of the bow is narrower than the belly of the bow in width. You do this with a rasp.It is almost a must when i build one with black locust, and it is a balancing act. take to much wood from the back it can break, not enough from the back it will chrystal.Check out utube there are videos on trapping the back of a bow that will show you how.Black locust will tell you how good your tillering skills really are.If you make one that does not take set,does not break on the back or chrystal on the belly you have tillered it properly.Then you just keep shooting it,if you have made a mistake it will surely show up through time.hope this helped.

See i am illiterate i spelled it wrong above. O well we do the best we can with what we have.Da again.

Sounds like a nice bow Bassman. I haven't tried black locust yet but hopefully I will in the future.

I had a Mike Fedora "Back Packer" in the same wood. Real nice looking and shot pretty well. That was pre-chrono so no idea on speed,

Specs sound good baseman. I've got to cut a locusts from my yard this weekend might try to get a stave or two from it. Rick

It is a good teacher for learning the tillering process.when you start making one badger jeff jawge and many other bowyers will help you through the process, and they do know there business.Just ask them questions.

Hope that WE can see photos real soon!

we had to get my son to do this. now my wife has an idea how to post pics.shot the bow today through my chrony again to make sure and it read 5 fps slower than last time.that is what my chrony will do.so 45 lbs.26 inches,450gr arrow 146 fps.I am still happy.

Just a cloth backing on the bow i bought on ebay.some of pics say bassmaster we got all messed up should have said bassman. hope tou can reply now i have no idea

I noticed Bassmaster and now Bassman. Bassman is this you in the pictures are an alias? >>>----> Ken

No it is me bald head pot belly and all.well i am glad you got to see the pics.anyhow .We messed up bad on this deal.Ken maybe you can help me next around so that we can get it right.thanks for your help,friend.

That's a good looking bow. Rick

Thanks Rick,fps was not as high today but my chrony does that. Tomorrow it may be some where in between that.I shot around 100 arrows out of it today everything still looks good,and i was shooting with really good accuracy. It was a real challenge for me to make this bow,and i am happy with the results.We just have to keep plugging away, and learn from our mistakes,and learn from others on these threads.

Thanks for the info Bassman. I cut some locust a few years ago. I'm waiting for some downtime in life to give it a try. Matbe this winter if things go well. The growth rings on all my wood is very thin, how much of a problem will this be? Oh yeah!! Great looking bow!!

Others may say that is not a problem.It was a problem for me on my first three,But if you can chase it down to a thicker heartwood ring that would be better.The other option would be to sinew back it with hide glue. If it does not work out you can get your sinew back by reheating.Go slow in the tillering process no matter how long it takes. Also made one edge grain or quarter sawn west coast indian bow that worked out ok from black locust Ishi style bow, but i sinew backed that one too.Just my experiences others may vary.Hope this helped,and good luck with your builds.

Nice bow bassman. I haven't done a BL yet. From what I've heard can make a good bow but very fussy on tiller or they crystal. Bjrogg

Yes ,but i have seen some of your bows ,and i think it will be a cake for you.I live in western pa. so i build bows from what ever wood i can get my hands on.Osage is hard to come by.After having tried all the woods,never made yew but black locust, elm,hickory,american hornbeam, walnut,bamboo is what i use mostly.Do not buy staves. I cut my own wood.Pain in the neck,but i am hard headed that way.I could tell you all the things i did to make that bow, but i know that you already know.Con grads on that bow of the month. beautiful.

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