[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Flemish strings #28598

When I finish one loop, I clamp the end of the twist with a close pin to keep it tight. I started with a close pin instead of an alligator clip because,…I had one… and there are no worries of damaging the fibers with the wood clip.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Small Game #28583

Duncan, glad to hear you are out giving the old squirrels a run for their lives!

I have taken 5 shots at squirrels this year. The first shot was at 12 yds with a hammer head blunt. He was sitting there facing me when I drew and released. The arrow appeared to hit him square in the chest. The arrow came back about 6 inches, and the squirrel flew about 5 feet. Whereupon he started kicking in a circle in the leaves.

I took my eye off him as another squirrel was coming in to me for a shot. After about 5 minutes I shot at the second squirrel but it was a close miss. Never did find the first squirrel 👿

Took my boy to the NCBA rabbit hunt yesterday, 30 guys and kids, 6 shots, no rabbits. But we had a good time and shot a lot of stumps.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: snakeskin backing #23115

Applying real snake skin is not reversible. It is also expensive if you want someone else to do it.

If you want to do it yourself, snake skins are available in a variety of species for about $50.00.

There are also faux snakeskin coverings you can get from Kustom King which can be installed and removed easily yourself.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Twisting Limbs #23108

Limb twist can be taken out in 2 ways:

String nock Depth – increase depth of nock on strong side of limb. Be careful not to go too deep. File a few strokes, check twist, etc.

Limb Width – Sand, Rasp, stiff side of limb. Be careful not to take off too much at a time.

To determine the strong side of the limb, look down the limb back with the bow braced, from the handle to the tip. The strong side is the side closest to the string.

Adjusting nock depth will not affect tiller. Adjusting limb width will, so keep that in mind.

Finally, with self bows you may end up with some twist in the limbs as a result of the character of the grain. Nothing you can do about it.

Developing the judgement to know when you have done all you can do, and the bow has been freed from the stave, is what it is all about. Good luck, have fun, and let us see a picture 😛

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Yarn #22231

Wool socks, socks, and more socks. My wife is a master knitter. We’ve been married 20 years and I don’t think a handful of nights have passed that she isn’t working on something. Sweaters and scarfs are nice too.

Hint – good wool, yack, alpaca, or whatever beast, yarn makes great string silencers…. I always get my wife’s scrap yarn. Take a piece about 9 ft long and wrap it around two fingers. Separate the string and put the middle of the yarn loop in the string. Brace the bow, and use a knife to cut the loop on each side. Shoot about 20 times and poof! A perfect silencer.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Bow…but not THE bow… #19869

I gave a piece of the snake skin cloth to the folks at Eagles Flight Archery and they made a custom quiver for me to match the bow. I still need to finish the cloth with tru oil to give it the same look as the bow, but I thought I’d add some pictures to show how it looks so far.

Many thanks to Eagles Flight Archery for their excellent customer service!!!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Horne Archery Recurve for sale #19741

I think you will get more interest if you give the details, including a few pictures.

I have a horne longbow and it is very nice, too short for me though…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Help for a rookie!?!?! #18647

Remember, Take the time to HAVE FUN.

Hunting is a SLOW sport, don’t be quick to judge

Mistakes Happen, resist frustration.

Enjoy the day

Read, read, read

Practice, practice, practice

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: eye dominant issue #18636

Eye wouldn’t worry about it 😆 😆

If you are shooting alright, then no problem. The idea is that you want your dominant eye over the arrow. This keeps your line of sight in line with the arrow. If your non dominant eye is over the arrow, you may end up shooting off to one side.

Fact is, any “test” you do to determine your eye dominance is not conclusive. But if you pay attention to how you look at things, you will over time figure out which eye is really dominant.

So shoot the bows you have, and have fun. If you get a chance to shoot a left handed bow sometime, give it a try.

And to answer your question about retraining which eye is dominant, I don’t think so. Not without extraordinary measure, like poking your dominant eye out so the other one takes over 😳 😈

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Big milestone in my life(first vehicle) #15301

Now you can bring your own deer home! Have fun, think, be safe!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Recurve Bow Mechanics #15293

The bowyers bible set. 3Rivers Archery. What you ask is too broad a topic and impractical for a forum…

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: ? re: altering a bow's weight #15280

I have to respectfully disagree with Duncan.

Since you say it is not an expensive bow, and it currently isn’t fun to shoot, what have you got to loose? It would cost you more to have it fixed by a bowyer, then it cost you to buy it…

If you want to learn about making a bow, this would be a good place to start without actually having to make one from scratch. If you aren’t “burning” to make a bow, then skip it.

You can reduce the weight of a glass bow in several ways. They all require a lot of sanding. If you have a belt sander, or palm sander, it would make it easier. But hand sanding, elbow grease, and time, will get you there. I would suggest you get a bow scale if you don’t have one. Otherwise, when checking the bow weight a bunch, you start fooling yourself. It’s also nice to see how much weight is shed with how much sanding. Thus you can predict how much more sanding you need to achieve your goal. Also, a good dust mask is mandatory. Fiberglass dust is hell on your lungs.

– you can narrow the limbs by sanding the sides (is the bow really narrow limbed? then this may not be an option)
– You can sand the belly corners near the riser, and out about 18 inches (makes it trapezoidal in cross section)
– You can sand the back corners near the tip and in about 18 inches. (makes it trapezoidal in cross section)

If it was me, I would do a little of all three, and check the draw weight often to see how things are progressing. After I had gotten within 3 pounds of my draw weight, I would check the tiller, and if necessary sand the belly of whichever limb needed adjusting.

Whew, that sounds like a lot of work 😆

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: New Mexico Mulies #15257

Nik,

Still lots to learn… If it was me, I’d try to figure where the deer went. And find a way in that would get me deeper and away from everyone else. Do it now, while the sign is fresh and you will be ready for next year….maybe.

Definitely get away from the 4 wheeler trails.

I sure would like to see a few pictures of your ben pearson takedown recurve…

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the rabbits !!

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: How do you hang your bow? #15245

Nick D wrote: Thanks Steve and Steve,
Steve G. I took interest in your three postures. But you did not indicate whether you have an arrow nocked or still in the quiver while in these three waiting scenarios.
Thanks,
Nick

I always keep an arrow on the bow. Since the bow is always in my control, I don’t have arrows fall off. Well, ok, the first year I dropped 2. But the learning curve is fast.

Hint – I found that adding a nock set under my arrow helps keep the arrow on the bow, among other good things.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: 300 yard 22lr shooting! #14134

Clay, There must be a story there. Florida to Idaho, hmmmm. But on the bright side, I hear that new fangled postal service will deliver right to your door! or in the case of a gun, to your local dealer…

Sorry, for the sarcasm… I was separated from my hunting gear for a few years, when I lived in Florida, but eventually had it all brought down. I was happier to have all my crap with me, even if I couldn’t use it all.

I learned my lesson and had my gear moved with me at the next move. It was my “comfort gear”. But living in Idaho must be a true comfort. I had the pleasure of visiting Salmon once. I remember a little town that had a bar in it with a wooden statue in the front full of arrows people had shot into it while going down the street…

[Author]

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