starting a bow

[ericmerg]

ok so consider that i bought a good straight stave what steps do i need to do to rough out a shape i can only use handtools as i dont have room for any type of saw really i do however have some real good skills with the handtools

[k-hat]

What hand tools do you have?

[ericmerg]

ill buy anything i need right now a sharp knife files a scraper plane and files and stuff like that, no drawknife though cant find any locally and dont trust random internet ones

[dmikeyj]

Farrier's rasp hogs wood pretty good.  As far as the internet drawknives are concerned- check for an old one that looks like it has a lot of metal left, and just buy it.  If you are good with the hand tools, I will assume you can sharpen up a drawknife.  
I had to get a noname drawknife from the auction site, since I have still yet to find one in antique stores, flea markets, or thrift stores.
Seriously, if its pre-1970 age, the drawknife will be good.  

You could also make a drawknife from an old file, or get ahold of a long planer blade and use it with gloves, or wrapping the ends with tape or fabric so it doesn't cut you.

As for the process, the first thing to do is get a good centerline marked out, then figure where your handle will be, and then mark out the back profile and cut it.  Then you can mark out your side profile and fades, then cut that.  After that, floor tiller, then long string (some skip this step) and short brace height tillering.  Once you get to proper brace height, it will likely be very close to finished, just details from here out.
If you check the archives and build-along forums here, you will find a wealth of knowledge and different ways to skin that cat you got there.

Mike

Oh yeah, I have seen bows made with nothing but a hatchet too...

[Bel007]

I am using only hand tools at this time.  Bow #2 half way done.

Farries's rasp
draw knife
spoke shave
Nicholson #49 & #50 rasps
japenese style flush-cut saw
coping saw
various scrapers
chainsaw blade file
pocket knife
sandpaper

I could get by without the spoke shave, one of the Nicholsons and one of the saws.  The rest get thorough use.

I am not a purest.  Im just too cheep to buy the power tools right now, but soon.

[DVSHUNTER]

Honestly, just read up right now. Then read some more. The. GUIs above covered the tools for now, but taking on a bow is really simple and yet there is a lot to know.  There are some good build a longs on this site. Check them out first and then start working. I know It's hard, but It's better to go slow and know what you are doing then to just plunge on in and mess up a good stave.