Kaya KTB Bow First Look... (Page 2 of 4)

Hi Thomas if mine comes like that you don't have to do a thing, I will handle the grip part... I hope it comes with something nice on mine though... If not I can wrap it..

What do you folks suggest for replacing the leather arrow pass?  Mine is already close to wearing out.  The arrows shaft or fletching really tear up the leather.

Has anyone thought about replacing the fashion-bag-like bow fabric?  For those who would like to hunt with the KTB, what could we use as camo fabric?

@Trident, I can't wait for the photos of the stitched up new leather grip.

While at the ATA trade show in Indianapolis with Kaya/Greatree this past January, Freddie Won and I stopped by a booth that had camo bow backing--Freddie took a sample to consider, as I suggested it would make a good option for customers.

Okay Ladies and Gentlemen... Here are the pics please give me your comments and thoughts on my progress so far....

Kaya Bow, black leather grip after drying 24 hours outside grip. You can see the line where it joins for placement, but it is barely noticeable when looking at it. The original grip also had it join on this side, but the maker overlays the pattern so its difficult to distinguish, does a good job on it. Whats underneath is the black foam grip, which was in previous pictures. You can also see the arrow pass leather also is finished in this way.

Inside Grip, clean. Notice the string, switched it to the white one for a few days

Here is the paracord wrapped over the leather as it dried to keep pressure on the leather to the grip, and the 2 ends together at the seam. I wrapped it tightly, and I think it helped with the proper adhesion no bubbles, and beautiful placement.There was just enough glue on the other side the back of the leather was smoothed over with the plastic knive evenly. Once I removed the wrap, it was stationary, rock solid stationary. This can be peeled off if need be and replaced or whatever. No permanence to this mod. If you have a slight crease, rub some lotion on it, and keep rubbing the spot, the glue may still move around a tiny bit to get out any imperfections you find when you remove the cord.

Looks more like a big boys bow already.. Classy.

This is the Kaya Khan. About to pull the wrap off. This is just my technique, I have never done this before, or even worked with leather or on my bows. I just felt that it would make it better, the ideas just come to me. It feels refreshing to be able to do this. I But I was very happy with the way its turning out so far..

I put one of those rubber tubes used to cover recurve and long bows I got from 3riversarchery, the shur grip. You cut the length to fit and roll over the handle. The original suede and laces are still under there. It gave me a very nice grip on the bow, an improvement for my big hands. And I glued the leather and wrapped around that. So its really removeable. This one I put the seam on the outside, because of the contour of the grip. It was a flat surface to close the seam on the outside grip, the inside has a contour that I didnt think would be good to put the seam there.

Outside of grip, the seam is very slight. That I might try to cover with a thin strip of stingray for added grip and to cover the seam, but it doesnt need it... Feels rock solid as it is.

Ready for action baby! I think this bow is perfect now! For now..Ha! Oh man the grip feels awesome with the 3 finger draw... Makes the draw feel like a little less weight 55#  as it spreads the pressure on my left hand when drawing it back because the grip fills my hand much better and I'm drawing at a slight cant with this bow since its meant for 3 finger draw.

My 2 (for now) Korean Brothers From Another Mother...
Note the quiver. Its an old Neet classic quiver that most of you have seen or used, It was the first quiver my father got me. Its at least 15 years old. I had some material left over so I decided my bows needed their company to dress accordingly to the occasion.

You can see I wrapped it around the seam, marked it with one of my kids colored pencil to fit, tried fitting a bunch of times to make sure I had it right, fitting is everything, if you want it to look good. Because once that glue is on, theres no turning back for that piece of trim. I actually miscalculated the length, but had enough red leather to cover it on the trim and it actually worked out! I stuffed the quiver with newspapers to make it rock hard and give it a shape. Otherwise, these quivers are so soft you will have a hard time wrapping it and fitting it. Once it hardens it actually makes the quiver stiffer which was a bonus. I plan on lining the top of the quiver with Black rabbit fur trim on the outside and inside to quiet it a bit. And will finish it off with a stingray butt cap if I have the right size material left over. I turned a tired old quiver, into the new girl on the block! Now, with the arrows... I think I'm good to go. When the bamboo arrows come in, I will attempt make those and show you guys how it goes... stay tuned.. give us your opinions and ideas. Be brutal, Be honest. Just say something guys. I want to know that I'm not the only person who's wondering the possibilities here. Straight Mind. Straight Body. (Learned that from thomas).


TRIDENT

Were going to have to make a play date and show off our babies soon!..

Thank you JBL, I got in the stingray so I'm trying to figure out if it will stick to the inside of the bow limb and flex with it or how to inlay it in...  I saw some ancient mongolian metal bows, that were covered with fur, it was interesting... That these ancient peoples used iron to make bows, I didn't know that.

And those bows made of iron were covered in fur, like some of the plains indians bows.
So I'm going to assume that ancient korean bows were covered in fur and decorative materials and customized as well. There are very few bows actually that survived due to age and that fact that they were made of natural materials.

Korean archery, I read in thomas's book had standardized the bow in modern times but it seems the bows were made to fit the archer in past history. Same as korean swords, they were also made in many different sizes to suit the user. That is why you won't see a standard version of a korean sword, like chinese and japanese swords, which all look the same. I find that very interesting...

I could be wrong but I swear I read about it somewhere... Could it have been one of those fugazi souvenir type ones? Maybe.... I could be wrong as to authenticity of such a bows existence in actual history but I'm pretty sure I saw an iron bow that was wrapped in fur somewhere... Can't place it though...

Interesting I know that in the Grayson collection there was also a "steel" bow.  I forgot about it when I posted my earlier question.  I did see on the auction site some very cheap looking "bow" that was made of steel but nothing like you posted or the link.  Great stuff.

Aha! I was right.... I thought I saw that somewhere.... Yes iron bows.... I've read stories about them before, like they were mythical weapons for their time.

I have seen the mongolian bows, and they are UGLY.... just my opinion! And look heavier at the limb tips, though I've never handled one. They decorate their bows with patterns and designs drawn on them. And it seems they use birch for wood arrows. They also use the sinew and animal horn, although it seems it wasn't water buffalo specific, like mountain goat, and whatever horn they could get their hands on that could be cut to strips, and they use a lot of wood, no mention of bamboo from the ones I've seen.

Looking good!

Bjarup, I don't think it will at all. The stingray is very flexible, as I was able to roll that strip up into a tight roll and it was the spine! Also the barge cement is flexible and very strong it seems, there is not noticeable difference in the draw. I have not had a chance to chrony it before putting this on, but will do once I finish. Now looking at the belly it looks bad ass!!!! I've had knife sheaths custom made for me that were covered in stingray and I've also seen bows online covered in snakeskin that didn't look as good... This gives it a really rich look!

Very good looking.

Though i like simple, so my KTB will stay black...