Bow building

[JMesler]

I've always been interested in making my own bows. Anybody have any suggestions on where to start? Books, videos, etc.?

[JAM]

"The Traditional Bowyer's Bible", Volumes I, II, & III, are a must. These books cover everything you need to know about bow making. I checked Amazon.com and they have volumes I & II. Online archery shops (such as www.kustom-king.com) (http://www.kustom-king.com)) also have them. The online site www.site.org/stickbow/tf/threads (http://www.site.org/stickbow/tf/threads) also has many bowyers who are glad to share their knowledge. I've got my first self bow started but haven't had the time to get very far on it. Hope to work on it this winter. Good luck to you on your endeavor.

Jill

[JAM]

OOPS! The URL I gave you is wrong above. This is the correct address:
http://www.bowsite.org/stickbow/tf/threads.cfm

Jill

[JMesler]

Thanks Jill. I appreciate the help and will look into your suggestion. I cannot think of a better way to take a whitetail than with a selfbow. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

P.s. Now I know who has my first choice for a username, "JAM". It happens to be my initials. I assume it is yours also.

[JAM]

LOL! I always wonder about who has chosen different names and passwords I've tried to use. I guess I beat you to this one.

Jill (a.k.a. JAM)

[JMesler]

I am also interested in building a takedown recurve. I've got several catalogs - Three River Archery Supply, Bingham Projects, etc. It seems that Bingham Projects would be a good, economical way to go. Anybody had any experience with their instructional materials?

[woodencanoe]

Another great book on bow buildiling is Dean Torges new book, "Hunting the Osage Bow". Will walk thru everything from cutting the tree to taking your first shot, Good Luck.

[osage2orange]

JMesler

I have made 6 bows my self so far and I can tell you the books alone are not enough. I tell you this not to stop from trying but to put things in there proper place. I myself learned from a man who breathed wood. We found a osage patch and ask the farmer permission to cut down the trees. Quatered the logs dried them for 6 months and so on. I know of a weekly class in my area where bowyers get together and tell stories (which is half the fun) and make bows. If you journey through this process it will be more worth it than words can desribe. I personally have shot several deer with bows I have made of Osage Orange. It is harder to work with than say Maple or Elm but the end result is one bad bow.


If you need help finding help in your area post something I have friends throughout the state who have a passion for bow making. GOOD LUCK!!!!!


Did you like my 14 pointer on the buck pole.


OSAGE2ORANGE

[Steve]

Did you take that 14 pointer on the pole with a recurve?

[osage2orange]

Steve,
I am sorry to say I did not. A 7mm mag 200 yards away is as close as that one got. The biggest I've taken with my self bow is a 6. Not big but with a self bow,rosewood arrows,and broadheads made from old spoons I'll take it. I have seen 3 different 12 pointers the last two years one with drop tines that I missed. He will be back and so will I.
Later Days
Osage2Orange

[JMesler]

Thanks for the help everyone. Osage2orange, I could not agree with you more that having someone show me the ropes would save me alot of time and frustration. I'm trying to hook up with a group here in
Grand Rapids that is going to get together this winter to build bows. They're just working out the details. Hopefully that will work out. I have also recieved volume one and three of The Bowyers Bibles. Like you said, I can always tap all the resources here on the forum too. Thanks again for the help. I'll let you know how it goes.

By the way, there isn't much to dislike about your 14 pt. Nice goin! Hopefully I will be blessed like that someday.

Jeff