Selfbow build

[Tribesc]

I decided to do something I’ve wanted to try for a long time. So I went and cut an elm tree, and built a bow out of it. I fire hardened it, and then reflexed the tips.

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[Tribesc]

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[Tribesc]

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[tmattson]

Sweet

 

[Razorbak66]

Looks great! Elm makes a nice shooter. Did you age it long? I have made them within 6 months of cutting. Might have to cut some wood this fall

 

[Tribesc]

I cut it on a Thursday, and finished it in 7 days. I fire hardened it, so I didn’t have to age it.


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[Razorbak66]

Well that’s cool! I have done some hardening in past more for looks than anything else. Bow looks great

 

[Petrichor]

Looks great. I have a couple Osage staves in the works. I’ve never see a stave that straight. I might need to get me some elm.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

That looks great. Can you expand a little on the process that you used to fire harden?

 

[Phaco]

These guys sort of "came up" with the idea:

They also have youtube builds using green cut trees and fire harden them in less than 12 hours.

Claye Hayes also has a fire hardening video...

 

[smshuntr]

What is the poundage/DL approximately? Did you have a target WT/DL when building it? i could ask a million more questions, really cool project sir.

 

[Tribesc]

I wanted something in the 40ish pound range at 27” which is my draw. I missed my draw weight a bit. Thanks it’s a really cool process


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[Tribesc]

It’s 38# @27”


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[Swampman]

It is nice to see a post about self bows. I have been building them about as long as I have been saddle hunting (18 years). I just love those first few shots from a self bow!

It looks like you did a great job. I keep a good supply of wood on hand so I never have to build a bow that quickly after cutting. It is nice to see that it can be done though using fire hardening.