Daohead Crafts His First Longbow, Wu Wei
Specifications & Materials Used Bow: Reverse Handle Longbow (Right Hand) 70" NTN / 41# @ 28" (45# @ 29.5" = Daohead's Draw)
Riser: African Blackwood (Purchased from Exotic Wood Group )
Limbtips: African Blackwood
Limb Lamination Layup (Back to Belly): Gordon Bo-Tuff E Glass UL - Clear (0.040") | Birdseye Maple (0.030") | Action-Boo - Natural (0.120" .002" Tapered) | Action-Boo - Natural (0.120" .002" Tapered) | Action-Boo - Natural (0.100" Parallel) | Birdseye Maple (0.030") | Gordon Bo-Tuff E Glass UL - Clear (0.040") = Total thickness at fadeout (0.480") ... (Purchased from Old Master Crafters, Waukegan, IL)
Glue-Up: Smooth-On EA-40® Transparent Laminating Epoxy Adhesive
Finish: Thunderbird Epoxy Bow Finish (Satin). Wet-sanded (400 & 600 grit) and buffed with 0000 steel wool.
String: 68" Endless Loop: 12 Strands of Dynaflight 97 | Loop and Main Serving: Halo Braided Spectra .024 Brace Height: 7.0" (to belly) Nock Height: 5/8" (.625")
DFC (Draw Force Chart)
Speed Test Speed Test #1: 535gr (total arrow weight) Hildebrand sitka spruce full-length (self-tapered) shafts... 60-64 spine; 3 5-inch helical LW shield-cut fletches; 125gr field points; and, Mercury Indexed Speed Nocks; G.P.P. = 11.8; Chronographed: 535gr at 154 fps.
Speed Test #2: 444-448gr (total arrow weight) Hildebrand sitka spruce full-length (self-tapered) shafts... 55-59 spine; 3 4-inch straight offset LW shield-cut fletches; 125gr field points; and, Mercury Indexed Speed Nocks; G.P.P. = 9.95; Chronographed: 444gr at 168 fps; 448gr at 162.
Speed Test #3: 395-407gr (total arrow weight) Hildebrand sitka spruce full-length breasted (11/32 to 5/16 - 10 inch shaft taper on the point end and 12 inch shaft taper on the nock end) target shafts... 50-55 spine; 3 4-inch straight offset LW shield-cut fletches; 70gr field points; and, Mercury Indexed Speed Nocks; G.P.P. = 8.95; Chronographed: 395gr at 173 fps; 398gr at 171 fps; 400gr at 169; 407gr at 161 fps.
Bow Pictures
▲ Laid out for glue-up.
▲ Removing clamps from form after curing.
▲ Bow Name: WuWei (Daoist concept=Actionless Action / Effortless Effort)
▲ Unstrung
▲ Strung
▲ Riser: Rough (Detail)
▲ Riser: Strung (Detail)
▲ Riser: Shelf (Detail)
▲ Riser: Back of Handle (Detail).
▲ Grip/Shelf: View from Belly (Detail)
▲ Upper Limb (Detail)
▲ Limb Tip (Rough)
▲ Top Limb Tip (Finished Detail)
▲ On the Tiller Stick (Tillered for 3-Under)
▲ The Bowyer's Sig...
Acknowledgments: Thanks for the planning, form, techniques, and wisdom of Mark Putra and Dave Ryan. Rick Welch (& John White) for the inspiration and coaching.Leatherwall and Pirates of Archery .