I will believe the Saudis don't see any upcoming problems with Ghawar when they cancel one of their projects due to low oil prices. If they continue to be full steam ahead with increasing their capacity then I think they are aware that Ghawar may not be as robust in 5 years time as they would like us to believe.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:11 pm Post subject: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
I have a long bow made by my dad when he was in college. I believe he said that it was lemonwood. the bow is approximately 75 years old.
Since my dad has passed, this bow is pretty important to me, but I'd also like to be able use it, since that's what he made it for.
I have no idea how lemonwood survives the decades...it isn't cracked, but the leather grip has pretty much disintegraded, leaving the wood.
I am guesstimating that its "pull" is between 60 and 100 pounds; perhaps more like 60...when it was new. My dad was a pretty good shot with a long bow at competition distances.
My concern is that even if the bow was able to be strung and used to shoot arrows, that it might not be young enough, or have enough resilience left in it to be able to be an actual working bow.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
zeke wrote:
I have a long bow made by my dad when he was in college. I believe he said that it was lemonwood. the bow is approximately 75 years old.
Since my dad has passed, this bow is pretty important to me, but I'd also like to be able use it, since that's what he made it for.
I have no idea how lemonwood survives the decades...it isn't cracked, but the leather grip has pretty much disintegraded, leaving the wood.
My concern is that even if the bow was able to be strung and used to shoot arrows, that it might not be young enough, or have enough resilience left in it to be able to be an actual working bow.
Anybody have thoughts on this?
thank you
Zeke
Sweeeettttt!!!
I would hang it on the wall and leave it.
Then go out and get a black widow or tomahawk LB.
I'll be in a very old oak tree this weekend with my LB and a few Montec heads...
Tis the time for killing. _________________ 500 MPH into a brick wall - me
Joined: Oct 04, 2007 Posts: 218 Location: North-East USA
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
anyways my advice is to get a high powered rifle or at least a crossbow with a scope and laser dot; 75 year old longbow? come on...even post-peak...the deer would laugh at you; but okay lets imagine for a second that you rely on a longbow to hunt...what happens if you hurt one of your arms? you need to be in perfect shape to use a longbow to hunt; but maybe you're just asking so you can ebay it and werent planning to hunt w/ it, in that case though the question doesnt belong here
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
Roccland wrote:
I would hang it on the wall and leave it.
I agree. Don't use it and risk the wood being weak and you breaking it. You probably would never forgive yourself.
I have many old rifles from my grandfather that are in working condition but I will never use them in the field because if I scratched up the stock or something I would be bummed.
Joined: Aug 14, 2005 Posts: 398 Location: Mississippi Delta
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
I would do a web search or look around at the nearest archery or a local shooting range that has a black powder club. I'll bet there are some enthusiasts not far from you that would love to look at your bow and could tell you more about it than you even want to know.
Jeez, guys, he wants to use the bow his dad made, not pin his survival plans on it. What good is something if you can't use it? I have some old family firearms and other tools as well, including some nice ones. I use the damn things. _________________ Sarah Palin: Because what we really need right now is another inexperienced, inarticulate, personable, fundamentalist governor of an oil-dependent state for president.
Joined: Mar 18, 2006 Posts: 1258 Location: Off with the Fey Folk
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
The Longbow is mainly a battlefield weapon and is quite lethal if you have a group of bowmen on a hillside - it was the 'terror weapon' of the Middle Ages and brought many a European conflict to a swift conclusion prior to the development of the musket.
I don't know about Lemonwood (Lime???) but the traditional wood for a Longbow is Yew.
A good Yew bow kept well-oiled should be good for about 100 years if well kept. Strings about 10 years, depending on what they are made from (take your pick, basically - animal-gut upwards). Arrows should be from Ash, Blackthorn or basically anything straight - apparently the main skill is in the cutting rather than the choice of wood. Same goes for the fletching. A good medieval bowman would be able to pull a yard-long arrow and set it from the top of one hill to another, within four yards side-to-side.
Hope this helps.
JP _________________ I see a dark sail on the horizon
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
JPL wrote:
A good Yew bow kept well-oiled should be good for about 100 years if well kept.JP
it does help, JP...and I think that right there nixes my bow from use. Not only has it not been well-oiled, it actually spent about 20-30 years in a hot dry attic....
I think I'll hang it on the wall and not subject it to a likely snapping.
very cool other information you offer, btw..
should I look for a bow like this for hunting purposes, or are more modern long bows or compound bows the best way to proceed.
I notice that one of the bows mentioned by another poster was in about the $700 range. While I'm sure it's worth it, I'm more in the $100 range.
Compounds range from $300 and up new...some great $200 compounds on CL.
LB/recurve range $250 and up new...some nice 100-200 LBs on ebay also.
For $100 you could get a nice LB used...the arrows are a different story...montec heads ($35/3) - carbon arrows $75/12 (low end)...wood arrows are sweet with LB- $50/6. _________________ 500 MPH into a brick wall - me
Joined: Apr 28, 2005 Posts: 3864 Location: West shore Lake Eire, MI, USA
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
zeke wrote:
JPL wrote:
A good Yew bow kept well-oiled should be good for about 100 years if well kept.JP
it does help, JP...and I think that right there nixes my bow from use. Not only has it not been well-oiled, it actually spent about 20-30 years in a hot dry attic....
I think I'll hang it on the wall and not subject it to a likely snapping.
very cool other information you offer, btw..
should I look for a bow like this for hunting purposes, or are more modern long bows or compound bows the best way to proceed.
I notice that one of the bows mentioned by another poster was in about the $700 range. While I'm sure it's worth it, I'm more in the $100 range.
thank you!
zeke
I too would recomend you hand it on the wall, however I must also add I would soak it in Tung nut oil ASAP to restore and preserve the wood as much as possible at this point. If you get it well oiled and treat it every year or so your great Grandkids if any might still have it as a family heirloom, if you just hang it and ignore it eventually it will crack and dry rot and be gone. _________________ Always appeal to a man's enlightened self interest, you can trust him to look out for himself honestly, It's when you appeal to his Honor or the Common Good that he stops paying attention.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
Tanada wrote:
I too would recomend you hand it on the wall, however I must also add I would soak it in Tung nut oil ASAP to restore and preserve the wood as much as possible at this point. If you get it well oiled and treat it every year or so your great Grandkids if any might still have it as a family heirloom, if you just hang it and ignore it eventually it will crack and dry rot and be gone.
OK..thanks for that advice. There does seem to be a light, thin finish on the wood. Varnish? Not sure and Dad isn't around to ask!
should I lightly sand that off prior to applying the tung oil? Maybe that's a dumb question; my guess is: yes.
Joined: Apr 28, 2005 Posts: 3864 Location: West shore Lake Eire, MI, USA
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
zeke wrote:
Tanada wrote:
I too would recomend you hand it on the wall, however I must also add I would soak it in Tung nut oil ASAP to restore and preserve the wood as much as possible at this point. If you get it well oiled and treat it every year or so your great Grandkids if any might still have it as a family heirloom, if you just hang it and ignore it eventually it will crack and dry rot and be gone.
OK..thanks for that advice. There does seem to be a light, thin finish on the wood. Varnish? Not sure and Dad isn't around to ask!
should I lightly sand that off prior to applying the tung oil? Maybe that's a dumb question; my guess is: yes.
zeke
Tung oil is very good at penetrating wood, personally I would test the bow's inclination to soak it up before trying to strip it. Just lightly brush a small spot, say a 3 inch long area, with Tung oil and let it sit for 15 minutes or so, then examine it closely. If the oil is still all on the surface you need to strip it, if the oil has all soaked in brush the rest of the bow in sections and keep repeating the process until you have covered the entire surface several times. If it stops soaking up the oil after a couple coats I would consider that a good sign and stop.
Its been a long time since I helped my mother restore woodwork in our house growing up, but Tung oil seemed like a wonder when I used it in the past. Works great on nearly any antique wood you want to treat, both woodwork in houses and wood furniture passed down for generations. I only have one piece of inherited furniture, but the dang thing is still solid despite being rather thin wood panals and circa 80 years old. _________________ Always appeal to a man's enlightened self interest, you can trust him to look out for himself honestly, It's when you appeal to his Honor or the Common Good that he stops paying attention.
Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
Allthough, if anyone deserves to shoot it one more time it is probably you. Get the handle redone, oil it, get a light string. and shoot it a couple times. Then when you hang it on the wall... It will mean more to you than ever.
Years from now a grandchild or a cousin gets it and trys to shoot it and breaks it, they won't quite know what they broke.
Whatever happens, at least you'll know who to thank.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
wanted to thank all of those who responded, not only with good advice, but with other information related to the art and science of archery.
it's always been a skill I've wanted to cultivate, especially after seeing my dad make short work of targets (different bow) at summer family camp.
he was an eagle scout but hadn't touched bow and arrow for perhaps 30 years + at the time...I was 9.
He basically walked out cold, day 1, nailed the Archer award. Day 2, nailed the American Archer award, which was the top award offered at this camp..IIRC, it's so many points with so many arrows.
I was floating awestruck on a cloud of amazement and pride that my dad could do this.
Joined: Mar 18, 2006 Posts: 1258 Location: Off with the Fey Folk
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject: Re: Advice on 70-year-old Longbow
Here in Europe we use Linseed Oil for wood - I don't know about the Tung stuff but presumably it is a local equivalent.
One thing that's worth pointing out, if you have a wooden bow - even if it snaps on you - you have a pattern for a replacement. Just work out which type of tree it came from and what sort-of carpentry was used. You can figure it out from there.
As your dad would probably tell you, you don't need carbon-fibre - you just need to hit the target (grin).
JP _________________ I see a dark sail on the horizon
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
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