[Limeyfellow]

I only just really started doing this. I'm currently crafting a couple from two inch sapplings that where halved down the middle and wood taken off the side to create the bend and on the last stages of bending made from a nice oak hardwood, since I had to take down a number of trees. I also made a couple from bamboo canes for use. I been making stone tools for a while so arrow heads are simple. I grinded out some metal ones too. I am also currently learning to fletch my own arrows the traditional way and been growing flax to make my own strings and such but that is still in the growing stage.

Anyone else been making their own bows and so on? What methods do you use to craft them and any advice for a newbie on bow making?

[Charles S]

Limeyfellow,

No, but is a craft I have been interested in in for a long time. Around my neck of the woods, the traditional wood used is Osage Orange, or Bodark. I have a tree in mind to try to make one with.

It is an interesting craft.

I, for one, would like to hear more about your experiences.

Charles

[Kingcreek]

I shoot a 50# osage self-bow I made. I cut the stave from the hedgerow on my farm. There are some tricks to it and it takes some time but not terribly difficult if power tools are allowed.

[colt.45]

i just recently made a very powerful fiberglass bow that i made from materials found at lowes.

the materials needed are:

1. 3 fiberglass rods, these rods are very flexible, they are about .30 in diameter, orange they have reflector tape on one of the ends.

2. duct tape or if you want, you can spend the $20 on a fiberglass sheet and resin to bind the rods together. i used duct tape and it has lasted 3 months of me shooting the heck out of it after school.

3. an abrasive cutter. you can either cut it with a hacksaw and sand the top with 320 grit, or use a dremel.


first thing is to cut the pointy end off of all the stakes, remove the reflector tape and take off the rubber nipples. take two of them and tape them together 2" from the ends using half strips of duct tape abut 12-15 wraps.

now find the center and place your the top of your hand about a quarter inch below it and mark the area your hand covered with full strips of tape, a couple wraps will do, your just marking it and holding it together for now (be neat!!!). now take the remaining rod and cut 2, 15" sections from it. find the center of these and mark them with a sharpie. place them in the exact center of the other two pieces, on both sides, in the groove. put 7 wraps of half strips on the ends of these and go over the grip outline you marked earlier.

the bow is almost complete!!! you need to make a hilt now, i just neatly wraped a big long half strip of tape a little below the middle, until it was arond 1" in diameter.

last you need to make knocks, and a grip. knocks can be mad by taping on the verry end so there is a little space between the new tape and the 7 wraps you did earlier, i would add 15 just for insurance. you can now make a grip in any way you want, i wraped some 550 cord for a grip. you could also use athletic tape.

i used 550 cord for the bow string. be sure yu have the length right and use a non slip knot on the ends (not the bowlin)

you now have a powerful bow with about a 40 lb pull and lots of cast. iwith target arrows it will break through a piece of 1/2 inch plywood. it is a verry fun toy in wich to annoy pesky neighbors. i am confident that this setup will take whitetail with the proper arows and a well placed shot, and will take rabbits with target arows.

have fun:D:evil:

[Sunray]

Oak doesn't make a good bow. Doesn't flex well, as I recall. Bamboo is ok, but heavy stuff.
There's lots of bow making sites though.
Learn about how the flax plant is turned into useable materials. It's not something your neighbours will like. Smelly, so it is. The plant needs to be allowed to rot.
Harrowsmith magazine would be a place to start. As is the SCA Arts and Sciences page.

[Steve499]

I've made around 70 bows, all wood or sinew backed wood, most from osage orange which is called hedge around here. It's a great hobby which I could go on and on about but the best source I know of for all the information you want would be the three volume set of the Traditional Bowyers Bible. It is published by Bois d'Arc press and features the most comprehensive, illustrated, how-to instructions by multiple authors you are likely to find.

Steve

[Kingcreek]

sweetest shooting longbow I ever shot was a handmade osage orange (hedge) and bamboo laminate. My next hunting bow will be a laminate of hedge and red elm or bamboo.
I had some help with my first one but I feel able to make the next one myself. After many years and many trophies, shooting that first deer with my longbow and cedar arrows was probably the greatest thrill I've ever had while hunting.

[mole]

Where I live is surrounded by mainly maple and birch trees, so I have made a few light weight maple bows. If you are cutting the wood/tree you can cut it close to the finished size and then tie it to something straight (2x4, angle iron, large bed rail,etc...) to keep it straight while drying. It's much easier to work green and then let it dry out for a few weeks. I second Steve499's opinion about the books.

My tools are: ax, hatchet, wedges, mallet/sledge, large Buck knife, wood rasp, and draw knife. A vice is extremely handy, but not needed. A sharp hatchet can remove a great deal of wood if used with more direction, less power. The draw knife will remove bark well, but I'm not skilled enough to use it to remove wood.

I had some raised beds of flax, but some pesky animal (skunk I believe) got to digging through them and killed most of them. The above books breifly cover growing it and give great detail on how to make string from it.

I've not tried making my own arrows yet.

hope it helps,
mole

[p35]

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/jawge/index.html