Anyone build their own bows?

[Takeem406]

I went and saw my bowyer the other day and got a new string. Any visit ends up drinking a cup of coffee and a couple hours of hunting stories.
Well I had mentioned I'd like to order a custom longbow, a 65# at 26.5. He usually charges $600 for a custom or I could build it myself. Not really a wood working guy, I've never really been that great or interested in it. But if I can get a custom longbow for a lot better deal why not? And under the guidance of a bowyer with several decades of experience? Why not? Has anyone done this? Thanks boys!

 

[Timbermoose]

it's addictive!! you can never build just one, or two, or a dozen.

i started about 8-9 years ago. began with hickory self bows, now have made hundreds of selfbows, backed bows, trilams, and glass laminated bows. ALL were fun and learned something with each one. i quit making the laminated bows except for a couple here and there for friends, mostly because, to me, i felt like i was manufacturing a bow rather than making one.

theres a special kind of pride to grab a "stick" and take a drawknife to it, shave off everything that aint the bow, then fill your tags with it. for me, and those i've mentored, it didn't stop with the bow. i began making my own arrows, leather goods, broadheads, collecting feathers and processing. it never ends for some of us.

good luck. what are you planning to build?

 

[Takeem406]

I'd build a laminate longbow. 65 @ 26.5. Not sure how long. I remember the old Remington LSS rifles with their salt and pepper laminate stocks, that color on a stick would be slick! Not sure if it's doable or not.

 

[bowhunter15]

I build a 68" BBI last winter. This winter I'm planning on builing a hybrid or semi-recurve, 56" or 58" to hunt easier with. Probably a tri-lam of bamboo and osage with a cherry core.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

I've built 3 re curves,it's allot of fun.
Tim

 

[WoodBow]

It would be silly not to if you have a bowyer to help you along the way. I have a large interest in woodworking and bowhunting so bow building was just the natural thing to do. I have built 3 60" takedown recurves now. Ive taken deer and pigs with them.

 

[Mckinnon]

My younger brother build R/D Long bows and put up a thread on here about the process. I will post a link shortly.

 

[Mckinnon]

Here is one he built for me. http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?17668-R-D-Longbow-2

 

[Mckinnon]

And this is the build process.http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?8528-R-D-Longbow-Build. He just finished another one recently as well, feel free to PM him with questions.

 

[Shawn Hultquist]

I've built a few. Careful it's addicting. I think I'm up to 120 bows now. I say go for it and enjoy every min of the whole process