Knowledge Weighs Nothing - Life Hacks, Bushcraft etc

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by srvy

Yeah, I enjoyed this thread when you posted it. I did a search that didn't turn up anything so I searched through your thread starts in your profile and found.

So you're crafting your own bows now?

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

So you're crafting your own bows now?

Yes I have been for awhile I first started with Bingham Archery laminated recurve bow kit then did one of there laminated longbows. Then did some of my own designs and take to 3d archery shoots. I started seeing guys crafting osage longbows and hickory bows and started reading every book I could get from the library. It all made sense when I read this mans adventures.


Then it all came together finding and reading these books.





Its not hard really to rough out a bow but making one that doesn't break is another story lol. But that's the fun of it you can do everything right but your stave has a flaw or wormhole you didn't notice or just nicing into another growth ring of the back. You always shave the wood to a single consistent growth ring on the back of the bow the one that faces away from you. The belly of the bow that faces you is where you shave down and tiller the bow to reach the poundage you desire at a draw length.

[Easy 6]

Crafting a bow seems a super difficult and tricky art, where just like the metalworkers on Forged In Fire... even the good ones can be prone to many mistakes and minor flaws that compromise the whole thing

Pics of your work would be sweet...

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Crafting a bow seems a super difficult and tricky art, where just like the metalworkers on Forged In Fire... even the good ones can be prone to many mistakes and minor flaws that compromise the whole thing

Pics of your work would be sweet...

I will work on this. I have posted a while back I think some of my work.

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Crafting a bow seems a super difficult and tricky art, where just like the metalworkers on Forged In Fire... even the good ones can be prone to many mistakes and minor flaws that compromise the whole thing

Pics of your work would be sweet...

Self bows or Indian bows are actually easier than a laminated recurve or long bow. They don't require a lot of tools. A hatchet, drawknife, spokeshave, and a regular knife to scrape. Honestly, you could do it with a hatchet to rough out and a 6 to 8-inch knife.

Laminated bows require a lot of tools and the wood laminations are getting expensive if you don't have a wood planer. Then you have to build a curing oven. Make a Limb press and purchase a lot of clamps. Not to mention dangerous caustic airline grade epoxys.

[Easy 6]

I have nothing but respect for those who keep these old arts alive, srvy... its Jedi level cool

[srvy]

Originally Posted by Easy 6

I have nothing but respect for those who keep these old arts alive, srvy... its Jedi level cool

In Missouri Kansas and Iowa where I do a lot of 3 d shoots many people are fashioning nice primitive bows and bringing to shoots. It involves more patience than skill honestly.

My Dad was of the generation that had nothing and learned to repair and fix stuff if you wanted it. He taught me and my brothers a lot but he didn't make bows. I think this is why I took to it it was my deal alone.