[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Curly Hickory Longbow #20397

Sorry to see the cracks,…but it may not be all that bad. I have read that cracks that run the length of the glass do not affect the integrity of the bow. I have a bow that has a crack up the limb and I have continued to shoot it without further problem.

I think the glass with “scrim” is supposed to alleviate the problem of longitudinal cracks. I haven’t had the problem in bows I made using the scrim glass.

I think bows made in the winter months are more prone to the cracking due to the expansion problem. I read in one of Fred Bear’s biographies that he had a bunch of bows do this back in the 60’s due to the really dry cold winter they had that year. He replaced all the bows and it nearly made him bankrupt.

You are in good company 😳

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Grip Inspiration #20114

Dennis, Thanks for the pictures. I have made increasingly complex grips and gotten very pretty bows that don’t seem friendly. So I was pretty set on going back to the basics. Looking at your riser, the fade outs seem to have a steep slope. How is it holding up? Do you attribute anything good or bad to this taper? And finally, would you attach a picture of the riser from the belly side?

Thanks again. This is just the inspiration I needed!!!:D

Oh yea, I put the finger contours on my last bow, same as you show here. And I am thinking it makes me lazy in my grip. How do you feel about the finger contours?

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Scent-Lok #14569

I have used scent-loc stuff and can’t say that it makes a big difference. No matter what you will get busted from time to time.

I have found a cheap cover scent that seems to help at least as much as anything else. I buy a bottle of cedar oil from a website in Texas. I then make a mixture of 10oz water, 2 oz cedar oil, and a drip of ivory dish soap. When sprayed on my cloths, it lasts many days, basically till the next wash.

You need cedars in your area though, or you will stand out. to their noses….

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: A happy camper? NOT! Dumb move! #14568

I don’t know where to start. If I understand you right, you have never lost a deer before. If this is so, you should count yourself very lucky. And you are a hero to me. Just the other day I was figuring how many deer I have harvested. And the number came out about the same as yours. But I must say that I have lost more than one. In fact, I am currently suffering the misery of losing one right now. I can tell you the feeling lasts about a week for me. I have a hard time going back out there until the feeling leaves. I double and triple up on the practice. I berate myself. Nothing seems to help but time. In the end though, I believe that nothing improves the hunter spirit like a little humble pie. It doesn’t taste good, but it does build strength, fortitude, and wisdom. Thank you for sharing your misery. It helped me realize I am not alone. If a person admits they have lost one, I think it helps them to keep it from happening again… too soon anyway. Good luck tracking your doe and I hope you find it. Thanks again for sharing your story. It takes guts to share not only the good, but the bad.

[Stephen Graf]

in reply to: Help with Overlays on nocks and risers #57869

Thanks for the help. What you described is basically what I do. I was hoping for a “trick” that might compensate for my lack of craftsmanship. I seem to have to learn this lesson over and over – As with all things archery, there is no shortcut for patience and skill.

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