Osage Selfbow

[Ddog]

pardon the interruption: log to stave takes the time. Wood needs to be dry and the environment can effect drying time.

Once it's dry you could be shooting in a weekend. Glueing tip overlays has some wait time and adding multiple coats of a finish requires adequate drying time.

Plenty of people attending traditional jamborees like MOJAM (Missouri) or OJAM (Oklahoma) come with nothing and leave with a shooting but unfinished bow. Unfinished=needs surface sealer/finish like polyurethane

Yes sir. A nice clean stave can expedite the process greatly. I've made one in a week working a few hours a day from stave to finished bow. I really wanted a new one for deer season that year

 

[LostArra]

It depends. I get asked that a lot and I really couldn't say for sure. I've banged out 3 in a month and had some take a month to get finished up. Time doesn't really factor into it for me personally, I just like to make a durable, well balanced shooter.

Sometimes during tillering I just have to walk away from it for a day. Any time I've rushed it usually results in some kid getting a nice 25# bow.

 

[Ddog]

Sometimes during tillering I just have to walk away from it for a day. Any time I've rushed it usually results in some kid getting a nice 25# bow.

Been there done that

 

[mgmicky]

Great looking bow! Questions about what to expect as far as hand shock. I have a snakey selfbow that was made by a competent bowyer and it is pretty brutal to shoot. I mainly shoot ASL bows, so I’m used to a little thump, but man this thing has hand shock like I’ve never experienced. Is this normal? It has what looks like micarta overlays, so I might try putting a D97 string on it to see if it’s any better than the B55 that’s on it.

 

[LostArra]

Great looking bow! Questions about what to expect as far as hand shock. I have a snakey selfbow that was made by a competent bowyer and it is pretty brutal to shoot. I mainly shoot ASL bows, so I’m used to a little thump, but man this thing has hand shock like I’ve never experienced. Is this normal? It has what looks like micarta overlays, so I might try putting a D97 string on it to see if it’s any better than the B55 that’s on it.

Sometimes it's the bow (tiller, limb mass, heavy tips) and there is little you can do unless you want to start scraping and sanding. Limb tips don't look bulky in the photos. Any pin knots in the limbs are usually left a little proud so there is more mass in the limb and can contribute to hand shock.

The easiest thing I would try is increase the brace height with a few twists in the string. If it seems to help at all I would go to the D97 and just make the string a little shorter. You might also try a heavier arrow. Are you shooting wood or carbon?

 

[mgmicky]

Thanks for the suggestions. It does have some pin knots in it. I will try increasing the brace height with a D97 string. I shoot wood arrows in the 11-12 gr/lb range

 

[Ddog]

Thanks for the suggestions. It does have some pin knots in it. I will try increasing the brace height with a D97 string. I shoot wood arrows in the 11-12 gr/lb range

I think you're on the right track. Being that a competent bowyer made it, I doubt the limb timing is off. Also, might try different holds on the handle while shooting. Some just like a looser or firmer grip.