I want to build my first bow, lots of questions..
Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:29 pm
Hi Everyone,
I've been interested in archery for years and generally just dabbled with a recurve I've been handed down. Every now and again I get it out and get keen again to build a bow, I like building things just as much as using them. But I don't know where to start. I've got and am reading the Traditional Bowyers Bible vol1 and lots of internet reading, but there are so many styles and ways of building that I can't narrow down enough to give me the confidence to kick the project off. I originally cut up some spotted gum staves which are now seasoned with the intention of making a selfbow, but I'm thinking now something laminated or maybe a simple bamboo board bow. I like the idea of a flat bow or flat laid longbow like Ausbow or Norseman would make, something more traditional than a recurve but not as bare bones as a really traditional longbow. I've got access to things like sander, bandsaw, thicknesser and hand tools including drawknife and spokeshaveses etc. The thing is I 'm keen but just don't know where to start and haven't got time to make all the mistakes, I want it to work first time even if that sounds unrealistic.
Should I buy The Design and Construction of Composite Long (Flat) Bows by John Clark and have a read? This seems the style I'm going for.
Maybe a spotted gum riser and belly with a bamboo veneer over the back and then tiller it to suit?
If I went for maybe a simple glass backed flat bow how do I get the shape and draw weight in the ballpark?
I'm going to say I'm after maybe a 30# bow, I'm not overly muscular and the recurve I use is only 25# but it's probably a little light for me, I wouldn't go over 35# at this stage probably. If it helps I'm a 34yo male, Hunter Valley NSW.
Sorry for the very broad questions at this early stage.
Cheers
Hayden
I've been interested in archery for years and generally just dabbled with a recurve I've been handed down. Every now and again I get it out and get keen again to build a bow, I like building things just as much as using them. But I don't know where to start. I've got and am reading the Traditional Bowyers Bible vol1 and lots of internet reading, but there are so many styles and ways of building that I can't narrow down enough to give me the confidence to kick the project off. I originally cut up some spotted gum staves which are now seasoned with the intention of making a selfbow, but I'm thinking now something laminated or maybe a simple bamboo board bow. I like the idea of a flat bow or flat laid longbow like Ausbow or Norseman would make, something more traditional than a recurve but not as bare bones as a really traditional longbow. I've got access to things like sander, bandsaw, thicknesser and hand tools including drawknife and spokeshaveses etc. The thing is I 'm keen but just don't know where to start and haven't got time to make all the mistakes, I want it to work first time even if that sounds unrealistic.
Should I buy The Design and Construction of Composite Long (Flat) Bows by John Clark and have a read? This seems the style I'm going for.
Maybe a spotted gum riser and belly with a bamboo veneer over the back and then tiller it to suit?
If I went for maybe a simple glass backed flat bow how do I get the shape and draw weight in the ballpark?
I'm going to say I'm after maybe a 30# bow, I'm not overly muscular and the recurve I use is only 25# but it's probably a little light for me, I wouldn't go over 35# at this stage probably. If it helps I'm a 34yo male, Hunter Valley NSW.
Sorry for the very broad questions at this early stage.
Cheers
Hayden