Making your own bows

[Rudy]

Anybody ever made their own bow?  Me and a friend have been toying with the idea of making a couple long bows.  I've only ever shot compounds and re-curve's, but that was years ago.  Hes pretty heavy into bow hunting, and just shooting bow's in general.  I guess hes got the right kind of wood, has it all dry and everything, and has enough to make 3 or 4.  Should be a good time....definitely something new and fun to get into!

Just what the wife wanted to hear....ANOTHER hobby 

[CanvasGear]

If youve never done it before I'd suggest the kit with video from three rivers. Its pretty good as are their bow blanks. Ive got one on my bench thats been there for a few months waiting for the end of hunting season.

CG

[quadrafire]

If you are looking at a self bow. Pick up the books Bowyers Bible. There are 4 volumes. Maybe you and your buddy split them. Definately worth a read

[Rudy]

awesome, good info guys.  Will definitely look into the kit and those books!  I know nothing about it.....he said he's got some books/videos/and other instruction stuff.  Sounded fun so I said I was in.

[carpsniperg2]

  building your own bow can be very rewarding. there is some great videos on line to help give you some pointers. there is some even better books. like quradrafire said the bowyers bible series is one of the best. the tools can be found on line in a lot of the traditional web sites. make sure you get yourself a good draw knife! some places i think even have starter kits that has everything you need for tools. you will enjoy it a lot!

[Snapshot]

Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 1 is all you need to make your first bow. Other good books include "The Bowyer's Craft" by Jay Massey, "The Bent Stick" by Paul Comstock and "Bows of the Native Americans" by Jim Hamm. I would spend the money on a book before a video. I think you'll get more out of a book because it will always be at your fingertips for quick reference. Have fun.

[Hornseeker]

Sounds like he is talking about self bows or all wood bows.... It will be a fun project regardless of how they turn out!!

[Dbow]

There are a lot of resources for information on making self bows. I would guess the wood your friend has is Vine Maple.  I have used Osage Orange but I have friends who have used the vine maple and even dogwood. Have fun, but be careful too.

[Special T]

sweet i was thinkg of doing that myself! 

[luvtohnt]

I have made a couple of bows. I did a self bow from solid hickory, and a laminated bow using Hickory over Ipe (see 3rd picture), and I am currently working on a second one that is Ipe with bamboo (see 1st picture). Both are reflex/deflex style long bows, which helps drastically with hand shock! I also included a picture of the corner in my garage where I work on them (middle picture).

Brandon