First Step in Bow Makeing

[HOWITZER]

Was wondering what you guys think is the best way to get started in bow making?  I am trying to spur my brother along into making TD bows.  He is a very skilled wood worker and has made some extraordinary gun cabinets over the last few years.  I was hoping to get him a book or books for his birthday to kind of peak his interest a bit.  Any help would be fantastic.

[IdahoCurt]

You might want to start with a 1 Piece first to learn the basics.
I started with a bingham projects longbow.They were very helpful to get me started.

[marsniper27]

I just received my bingham projects take down recurve information package and it is great. I didn't get the dvd but it gives you the blue prints and a written walk through of what to do ant how to make the form and oven. I think this is the best way to start.

[IdahoCurt]

The first bow as you will find out just gets your appetite going!
I started with longbows went to recurves then selfbows and now I've been stuck on bamboo backed bows for probably the last 8 yrs.

 Binghams was always happy to answer questions and it was great to talk to Elmont.

[Roy from Pa]

All three bowyers bible's are a good collection.

 http://www.3riversarchery.com/Books+DVD%2527s+Bow+Building_c42_s18_p287_thumb.html

[HOWITZER]

Thank you gentleman! I appreciate you in pointing me in the right direction.

[fujimo]

depends sort of which route you want to go, purely primitive, or glass laminated trad bows or somewhere in the middle with backed bows- its all personal, and doesnt really matter which, as long as you are buildin' !!!
i started with board bows,( small investment- money wise) then moved to staves and laminated bows etc. my learning curve was a slow one, as i had no one to help me, except all the amazing help on this forum, when i finally sumbled upon it- of all the forums i follow this is the greatest- everyone is so helpful and courteous , this forum was my greatest help.

i have only heard good things about the bingham stuff- other guys on this forum also supply, check them out, also have good reps.

the bowyers bibles are excellent.

get someone to physically help your brother.
if it is at all possible. it makes all the difference. i have helped a few people now, and at least their first bows were all good shooters, and they didnt learn too many bad habits in the process. and they all built hickory backed ipe longbows as a first project, which under normal circumstances would be quite an undertaking, but with a little help all went well.now they are well on their way.
good luck
wayne

[Pat B]

I got a book years ago..."Traditional Bowyers of America"..or something like that that covered many trad bowyers of the day and went into detail about their shot set up and how they made their bows. Some were glass lam bows and a few were self bows. When I get home I'll get the correct book title and the author.

[fish n chicks]

Originally posted by HOWITZER:
Was wondering what you guys think is the best way to get started in bow making?  I am trying to spur my brother along into making TD bows.  He is a very skilled wood worker and has made some extraordinary gun cabinets over the last few years.  I was hoping to get him a book or books for his birthday to kind of peak his interest a bit.  Any help would be fantastic.

If you want to get your bro into bows, email him this link, and he will see how easy it is to get into it. Once he makes, and shoots ONE, he is done. You got him in and at that point you just wait and have him make you bows!

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=002064;p=1


The second thing he should do is become a member of this site. After that there is no turning back. This is like crack for outdoorsman/craftsman.