Last year I contacted a local bowyer and asked if I could build a take down bow under his tutelage. He agreed and we met and began what has become a great friendship.

Many of you may know IdahoCurt from other sites like TG. In addition to building a bow here and there he makes custom fishing nets, beautiful knives with custom handles and sells amazing myrtle and mango veneers.

In addition to bows, Curt and I share several other passions like hunting and dirt bikes. If it weren't for family and work, we'd be spending all of our time together!

On to the build... Curt suggested for my first bow that I start with something simple and materials that are readily available. He had some walnut in the shop that was properly dry and would work great.

As a reference, I wanted to model the riser of my take down after my favorite bow - Schafer Silvertip take down longbow. Many of you may know Caricajou (sp?) and his quest to be reunited with his 'Sneaky Bastid" bow. I was the final idividual to have that bow and was sad to see it go. But Scott's sentimental value was too great to deny, so after spending time modeling my riser after the Silvertip, I returned the bow to the original owner.

So here's where I'm at right now. All the shaping and rough sanding are done. This has almost all been done by hand. Curt's shop is pretty simple and as a first time bowyer I'm working slowly by hand rather than going to far with a machine. Lost of time with a rasp, a file and sand paper... Next I'll fine tune the tiller. The riser is walnut with phenolic and myrtle tripes. Limbs are some of Curt's beautiful myrtle and mango veneers. I've got some simple sheep horn tips and sight wind overlays. The riser feels good in my hand. I took off a little too much material in the throat, but I can live with it. I'm pleased with the lines and the speed and power of Curt's Hybrid Take Down Longbow design.

What do you all think?

It's not perfect, but I've learned a ton and really look forward to building another!

Before I was hooked on trying as many bows as I could, searching for the best design and fit for my shooting style...

But now I just want to build my own instead of buying!

I couldn't resist and fired a few arrows through it. What a pleasure it is to shoot, especially since this creation came from my own hands!

I'm hooked!

A big thanks to IdahoCurt!!!

Very nice bow Marc, looks great, and yes, very gratifying I'm sure! Looking forward to pics of the finished product!

Looks real nice for sure. There is something about making your own to be sure.

THERE IS NO KNOW CURE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE !!! ENJOY!!

Very cool

That is REALLY NICE!!!!!

If a fellow has to have an incurable disease that's the one to have. Nice bow and you should have a lot if good memories from it. Congrats on a job well done and enjoy.

From one Marc to another Marc, congratulations. I hope your bowyer friend told you that you can't build just one bow. The first leads to another and another and another and so on. Enjoy the product of your handywork. Marc

Very good job!

Excellent. Very nice bow. Good job. >>>----> Ken

Good job. Bow looks great.

Looks awesome!

I agree, nice lines and all, good job.

You did a great job!

Awesome!

EXCELLENT !!!

Very impressive!

A bow that looks that good just might make me question my love for my old 66 inch Brackenburys

Thanks everyone. I can't stress enough how much I owe to Curt's generosity.

I'll post my pics as the finish work comes along!

No turning back now, your doomed like the rest of us. Great Job! John

Nice job! I'd love to go through Curts 'trash' pile. He sells some awesome wood! You're lucky to have a mentor like that. Keep up the good work!

Marc I am impressed and glad to have my bow as a "model" for your new creation, and wish you success on future builds.

Ol Sneaky has a distant cousin in Idaho now. Cool Beans.

Very nice work! You should be proud. Richard

Just a quick update on my bow:

Many of you may have read my thread "Bull Down" in which I described my successful elk hunt this year.

In addition, my father, who is an avid firearm shooter and reloader, recently got a new chronograph with bluetooth capabilities. We spent a few hours choreographing arrow speeds.

I am happy to say that my home built, laminate hybrid longbow shoots with the best of them!

I shot 10 arrows for each bow, arrow weight was 524 gr. I shoot 3 under with a tab. Here are the results of all the bows I own:

Blacktail Sitka 58#@30" - Avr speed 185 FPS

Morrison Shawnee w/ Longbow Limbs 55# @28" - Avr speed 191 FPS

Morrison Shawness w/ Recirve Limbs 55# @28" - Avr speed 194 FPS

My Longbow 58# @30" - 192 FPS

Sweet!

Very nice. Walnut is beautiful wood but for some reason not used as much for bows. It was the standard for high dollar firearms many years. Just a question in case I attempted a take down. I really like the way the bottom limb butt is rounded and blends it to the riser. Is there a way to do that with the top limb? Or would it make the riser top heavy? Is that the Mango on the belly of the limbs? It is outstanding.Good job. >>>----> Ken

FANTASTIC!! Great Craftsmanship. Been quite a while since I built one, got the itch again. I think I might have to scratch it. John

That's beautiful...nice job

Must feel great shooting a bow you made yourself looks great

Wicked awesome!!! Beautiful work and fantastic performance. It would be so amazing to build your own bow, congrats!

LOOKS GREAT!

Good looking riser and good numbers also.

What a breath of fresh air! That is simply amazing! So many great bowyers posting now.

I guess I didn't look at the dates! I sure hope those bowyers do post again!

Wow! You went all out for your first one! Looks great!

Thanks everyone! I didn't mean to post the same pic twice. Here's a few more:

Marc, It looks great to me, really nice job, enjoy it

Not a fan of 3pc bows but that’s some great work right there my friend I hope you keep making bows looks like ya have a nack for it

Looks professional for sure! And hope it shoots as good as it looks, I'm sure it does! Excellent!

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