First self bow

[Zak]

I'm currentley a compound shooter looking to take a crack at building a self bow. I would love any advice, tips or stories anybody has to share, thanks guys!

 

[Clinch]

Probably the easiest way to get started is to get some red oak boards from Home Depot. Ive actually made some dandy little bows from them. Still have one. Gave the others to friends. The traditional bowyers bibles are a great resource. So is YouTube any more.

 

[Steve B.]

I've built a few dozen, out of several different kinds of woods, all shapes and sizes. I never have done a board bow, I have always split from a log. They are all I hunt with now having come from modern traditional. There is just that added satisfaction of being successful hunting with something you built yourself and its a great woodworking hobby that requires no power tools and few hand tools. Eventually you add the element of 'hunting' for wood as you take walks and hikes, seeing a bow in every tree, and then there's the whole world of making arrows to go with it. Bows likewise utilize horn, antler, sinew, leather, rawhide, snakeskins, etc. along with the paint and stain and finish. So the combinations are endless and every bow looks and performs uniquely. They are fun to shoot and can last a long time. If you build one that doesn't shoot well or you don't like it or you break or wear it out, throw it in the fire and build another.

The bowyer's bibles and youtube are great, particularly vol.1 of the 4 part bible set. Ideally you'd want some help from someone experienced for your first bow or two, but not necessary. Good luck.

 

[wyodog]

I made my first self bow, a 68" flat bow, with the Boyer Bible vol 1, an old draw knife, spoke shave and a tiller board. That's it. Still shooting that bow 20 years later. It took me a month to build because I was figuring it out as I went and I couldn't afford to buy another stave if I screwed it up. I guess if I was going to a vice to a first timer it would be to take your time and research as much as you can.

 

[LostArra]

Just a little add-on to the good info given.


Really good boards for bows are not always easy to find. Grain run out and kiln dried wood can lead to broken bows during tillering. Don't get frustrated. Find some 10 yr olds interested in archery because the first few board bows can come in severely under weight.


Move on to staves as soon as possible. (I'm not a big board fan). Make sure the wood is dry. You might start cutting some staves now and put them somewhere to start drying. Depending on where you are located hickory/pecan can be a nice bow wood but doesn't work as well in humid environments. It still makes a bow but more readily takes some set in the limbs. Osage is king at least for me. Those yellow shavings are addicting. Mulberry and locust can be worked similar to osage.


In addition to the books listed above: my favorite is Hunting the Osage Bow by Dean Torges. It's an enjoyable read even if you don't make bows and it's even better after you've made your first osage bow.


Steve B is on the mark regarding hunting with a bow and arrows you have made. A doe was my first selfbow kill and may be my most rewarding deer.


My nephew is a carpenter and brought me this piece of pecan to see what I could make.





White woods usually have wider limbs



Osage is still the best (for me) and don't be surprised when you find yourself picking up road kill snakes for bow decor:

 

[justinspicher]

Check out twistedstave.com. There's a build tutorial on there.

 

[Steve B.]

Nice bows, LA. The pecan looks just like oak. Great profile. Wonder how it shoots? You are obviously on the wrong site for any accolades. Kill something with antlers and that will change. Love that handle wrap and the skin job.!!

s