I am retired. I was building one now and again when I was working. Now my bow shop is a fun way of passing the winter. Time to practice hasn't hurt my shooting either.I used to build a few but dont any more. It is a fun and rewarding adventure. Esp so when you get to kill stuff with em. But massively time consuming.
You have one on me. I'm pretty much a failure with self bows. Thankfully, I understand epoxy a bit.I’ve made a few self bows and hope to make another this winter.
Your laminated long bows look great! Where are you buying the glass?
If it’s any consolation I’ve yet to build one that survives more than a year of shooting.You have one on me. I'm pretty much a failure with self bows. Thankfully, I understand epoxy a bit.
I've been buying the glass mostly from Kenny's. As good a price as you'll find and good people.
I try to keep them moving out. Fella could get buried in them. Black and white ebony riser?I've built quite a few, here's what's on hand now. I need to do some giveaways. Haven't made one for a year, been looking for some Black and white ebony, pretty scarce right now.
Black and white ebony, pretty scarce right now.
you’re talking my language.I'd really like to take a deer with a self bow and possibly on the same ground the wood was cut.
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If this is your first time, I’d suggest that you put the Osage and most of the hickory somewhere it can dry in a slow and steady fashion - somewhere that doesn’t have rapid temperature fluctuations.Any tips? Split this yesterday afternoon. First time ever starting the process. Been reading the traditional bowyers bible. While my buddy who is gonna be involved in the process has been consuming YouTube videos mostly Clay Hayes.
4 Osage orange, 4 bitternut hickory
Thanks for the feedback would you be willing to share which staves in the photo you think are good prospects and which aren’t. My friend and I do have some young children, and we thought the staves that wouldn’t work for adult bows could be bows for them that way we don’t waste staves and get more practice.If this is your first time, I’d suggest that you put the Osage and most of the hickory somewhere it can dry in a slow and steady fashion - somewhere that doesn’t have rapid temperature fluctuations.
With the hickory you could begin your first attempt at making a bow. It will work in a green state.
Otherwise - follow clay Hayes instructions. And remember that failure is part of success. There’s nothing wrong with braking some bows. Keep your expectations realistic and enjoy the process. And lastly, go harvest some more wood - you can’t have too much material to work with and not all of those staves will be suitable for learning on.
From what I can see in the photo, none of those staves are good. You should send them to me and go cut some more. ThanksThanks for the feedback would you be willing to share which staves in the photo you think are good prospects and which aren’t. My friend and I do have some young children, and we thought the staves that wouldn’t work for adult bows could be bows for them that way we don’t waste staves and get more practice.
Look into making billets and splice if you think theres areas of the staves that arent the best for a full size bow. There's videos out there showing how to splice or make a 2 piece take down. If you have a band saw it makes cutting the splice really easy or you can use a back cut saw or jigsaw.Thanks for the feedback would you be willing to share which staves in the photo you think are good prospects and which aren’t. My friend and I do have some young children, and we thought the staves that wouldn’t work for adult bows could be bows for them that way we don’t waste staves and get more practice.
Have you checked with Rosewood in Missouri?I've built quite a few, here's what's on hand now. I need to do some giveaways. Haven't made one for a year, been looking for some Black and white ebony, pretty scarce right now.
I posted before I saw your post.Rosewood was supposed to have some ready this fall. He still might have some left.