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Post by sceraxn on Jan 29, 2012 19:02:54 GMT
One of my earliest memories of being outdoors with my dad was when he was teaching me how to shoot a bow when i was really young. For the past ten years or so ive been looking high and low for that bow without any luck. I couldnt remember anything about it, but luckily i found some old pictures of him using it(dated 1969, so yea, its a bit old lol) so i atleast knew what it looked like. Well a couple weeks ago i went and helped my mom clean out an old building in her backyard that she was wanting to tear down, and what did i find under the mountain of rubble? You guessed it...the bow! Its a Ben Pearson Pony 7020-30(7020 being the model number and 30 the draw strength) and it was in really rough shape. It was dark brown because of all the grime and dirt on it, and one end was completely covered in white latex paint(looks like it was used as a stir stick :evil: ). Anyway, a bunch of elbow grease and $20 worth of various cleaners later and ive got a pretty decent base to restore it from. I only used natural and very mild cleaning agents on it because i didnt know what kind of condition it was in and i didnt want to make anything worse or strip of any identifying marks, and im glad i did because all the orignal marks are still there. After going over it with a fine toothed comb it seems structurally sound. There are no cracks and the lamination is still strong without a single hint of seperation. Unfortunately, i didnt take any before pics, but ill try tog et some pics up of how it sits right now in a little while. Now my question to you is, what size string does it need? Its 5' long(technically 59 1/2") so im guessing maybe around 56"? I have plenty of experience with compounds, but other than when i was little i havent done much shooting with long bows or longer recurves like this one. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. *Edit: It was surprisingly hard to get some decent pics of this bow, but i managed to get a few that were good enough for you to tell its condition. You can tell it was used both right and left handed, which means my left handed uncle most likely shot it as well. Ill be calling him with a million questions tonight. I think i forgot to mention it earlier, but my father passed away a little over two years ago so i dont know much about this bows history.
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Talon
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Post by Talon on Jan 29, 2012 19:35:42 GMT
the best thing i can suggest is to rest your hand on the bow with your thumb pointing up the string should be just touching your thumb,this will give you a rough estimate to the correct string length445a.jpg[/attachment] thats how traditional archers check the brace height or fistmele as its sometimes called oh yeah and post pics of it
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 29, 2012 20:12:43 GMT
Thanks for the tip man. That might be a little tough without already having it strung, but i can probably make a jig using some clamps and a straight edge to keep it in place while i measure for the correct length. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it easier?
Im updating the first post with pics as we speak. Thanks again for the suggestions, and im open to any more that you may have.
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Post by Svadilfari on Jan 29, 2012 20:53:50 GMT
Somebody more archery-oriented may be able to comment..but I *think* there maybe something written on the bow, apart from model number and draw weight to indicate string length ? Maybe the Ben Peason company could help..if they are still in existence ?
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Alan Schiff
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Post by Alan Schiff on Jan 29, 2012 21:27:44 GMT
That's a nice looking bow, sceraxn!
Usually on recurves such as this the length of the bow is written somewhere as is the draw weight. The proper length for a string is 4 inches shorter than the overall length of the bow. If the length is not written on the bow, measure it by taking a flexible measuring tape, piece of string, etc. and measure from tip to tip following the curve on the backside (facing toward you if you were holding the bow) of the bow. This should get you a relatively accurate measurement. You mentioned that the bow is 59 1/2 inches long, which could be either a 60 inch or 62 inch bow, depending on how deep the recurve is.
Hope that helps, Alan
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 29, 2012 21:56:28 GMT
Ive looked this bow over many times and havent seen anything else written on it other than the name, model number, and draw weight. I could have wiped it off when i was cleaning it though. Ben Pearson Archery is still around and are making some pretty nice looking compound bows takedown recurves. Im going to give them a call tomorrow to see what they say.
Thanks for the compliment and tips Alan. I somehow remembered the 4" rule, but i was thinking it was the overall length and didnt even think about following the curve(which is how i got my 56" guesstimate lol). I just went and measured like you suggested and its 61 1/2" following the curve. Ive only been able to find strings in 57 and 58 inch lengths, so which one should i go with? Im thinking 58 just to be one the safe side, but i guess ill find out for sure tomorrow when i talk to the people at Ben Pearson. Thanks again for the help.
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 29, 2012 22:06:14 GMT
Also, after looking it over more carefully i noticed that the arrow symbol and model number/draw weight on the side of the bow was done after the finish coat was put on it, which means i wont be able to restore the finish how id hoped without destroying the original marks. I guess ill just touch it up as much as possible and let it be. I dont mind for it look like its been used to be honest. Makes it look more manly lol
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 29, 2012 22:16:55 GMT
Yea i was planning on refinishing it, but like i said earlier, the arrow marks and model number were painted on over the finish coat. In order to fully restore it id have to sand that off, which isnt something im sure i want to do at this point. Ill probably just touch it up where i can and then reseal the wood and leave the worn look to add some character.
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Post by WEWolf on Jan 29, 2012 22:24:13 GMT
I don't know anything about restoring bows so I can't help you there, I just think that bow is a great bit of history and I'm glad you found it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2012 0:48:37 GMT
Hi sceraxn
I just wanted to recommend using a bow stringer to install / remove the bow string. You can use the step through method, but that is more likely to damage the limbs. Also it is best to leave the bow string off when you aren't using the bow. Lastly use a dacron B50 string. Stay away from any of the newer string types (like fast flite) as the don't stretch much and are not suitable for your bow, they will damage the limbs. It is better to store the bow in a horizontal position rather than stand it vertically as this can cause the lower limb to eventually twist.
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 30, 2012 1:22:36 GMT
Thanks for the tips blade. I was wondering which kind of string to go with. You must have read my mind :lol:
I was actually thinking about shooting it a few times and then mounting for display. I know its not anything special to look at, but it holds a lot of meaning to me so id like to have it on display. I was hoping to be able to do this with it strung, but you think that would be a bad idea?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2012 1:39:17 GMT
Yeah. Displaying it with the string will almost certainly cause the limbs to twist. I display my recurve without the string and it looks nice. Blade
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 30, 2012 22:12:20 GMT
Thanks again for all the tips blade. I ended up breaking out a book i had during my Boy Scout days to go over the basics of bowmanship(is that a word? lol). Now im excited about getting this thing strung so i can shoot it.
Appearantly this Ben Pearson fella is pretty popular because i cant seem to get in touch with him. Four calls and an email and i havent gotten any answers, or any real help at all. So ive decided to just go with my gut instinct and order a 58" string for it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2012 23:04:22 GMT
A 58" string is the right length. My recurve bow, a Ben Pearson Mustang 7258, measures 58 1/2" and it uses a 54" long string (written on the side of the bow AMO 58").
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 31, 2012 0:05:58 GMT
Nice. I just ordered a 58" Dacron B50 string so i should be shooting this thing early next week or possibly later this week.
Ims till on the fence about refinishing it. I cant decide if i want to touch it up as good as possible and then reseal it, or if i want to sand off all of the original markings and start from scratch. If i chose the second method then it will probably turn into a more detailed custom job. I was thinking about replacing the painted on arrow symbol with inlaid polished bullhorn, but i dont know how that would stand up to wear and tear over time should i chose to use it for target practice. I might also do some decorative carvings or wood burnings in it, but im not really sure yet.
While researching i came across some videos of people making recurved bows and im really tempted to try it out. Ive been a finish carpenter/cabinet maker focusing more on high end work for the past twelve years now. Many of the processes like laminating and forming are things that im already familiar with so im pretty confident that i could do it. From what ive read the hardest and most hated part seems to be the tillering, but the attention to detail and sharp eye needed to do it actually atracts me to the project. Im very anal about anything i make and enjoy doing things the hard way so i think it would be fun to do. When i get some free time im going to go down to the shop and see what kind of scrap wood i have laying around. If ive got the material here to do it then i might start working on one this weekend.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2012 0:41:49 GMT
I know exactly what your feeling. My recurve had a number of scratches in the finish that were easily removed except in one area, right on top of the manufacturer name and logo. It looked really bad and I knew that removing the scratches would remove the name and logo, but in the end I knew it would drive me crazy knowing the scratches were there. So I ended up removing the finish and logo. Before I refinish the bow I'm going to try and replace the name and logo. I'm thinking I could make a stencil and paint them on. If it looks ok leave it then apply the finish, if it looks bad just remove the logo and finish it without it.
Funny you should mention making recurves, I want try my hand at making a selfbow. I bought the Traditional Bowyers Bible and am learning how to do it. Eventually I might actually get around to making a bow.
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 31, 2012 1:17:20 GMT
Ill probably just end up stripping it off and redoing it to be honest. I like the used look and all, but there are a few bad spots where the current finish is chipping, and if i try to refinish it in that area it will end up chipping off anyway. Im going to make some stencils of the arrows before i strip it just in case i decide to take it back to original.
I just talked to one of my dads old hunting buddies who backed up what you said about storing it while strung. However, he said that i should string it and let it settle for a two or three days before drawing or shooting it. Since it hasnt even been strung in over twenty years he said that i should put some stress on it for a while to see if there are any structural defects before i even attempt to shoot it. Looks like itll definitely be next week before i can shoot it now.
Do you have any pics of yours?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2012 1:31:09 GMT
That's good advice.
I don't have any pics of my bow. I tried to take some , but indoor lighting never works well for me. Tomorrow I'll take some pics outside and post them here.
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Post by sceraxn on Jan 31, 2012 1:40:23 GMT
Nice man. Cant wait to see the pics.
Its funny, ive owned a $500 PSE Compound bow for 7 years now and ive never really looked at it as anything other than a tool. After finding this old recurve and researched it a little bit im starting to love these traditional style bows not only because theyre still perfectly capable tools, but theyre also beautiful pieces of craftsmanship, and in the case of bows made by people like Ed Scott they can only be described as functional art.
Its pretty neat how even after my dad is gone hes still finding ways to inspire me and get me to try new, or in this case, old things lol
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2012 2:02:16 GMT
I like older bows in general.I only have one recurve, but will be collecting more.
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