Bundle bow pros and cons

[Afgos]

Hi guys would a bundle bow made from bamboo be a good starting point for making a first bow? Or should I rather go with a board bow? I want to use this bow for hunting small game and bowfishing. Thanks in advance.

[Wolftrail]

If you have a good forest full of trees go there and identify the species that are likely candidates for bow building,  if so why bother with a bundle bow , seriously.
I would be more inclined to build something that will be around for a while and give you some experience in building a real bow, self bow or board bow.  I started building laminate bows from the getgo.

[KenH]

Bundle bows are just fine as first bows.  Select a 6 or 8 'long internode' bamboo culms about 5 ft long and as big around as your index finger as a base to build on. 

[Afgos]

Thanks. I intend to build board bows one day but thought this would be a good start. What draw weight can you get from a bundle bow?

[Flem]

Seems like a novelty thing. Like a PVC Bow. Not saying they aren't useful, just disposable. You can make a lumber Bow with one or two hand tools. If your goal is to make a Bow, why not craft one?

[Afgos]

I might just do that. Are there any good plans for a board bow here? What tools would I need to make one? Thanks.

[Flem]

There is a thread, "getting into self bows", that has many different answers to your question.
Not including sandpaper, I think you could get by with a coarse wood rasp and a cabinet scraper. Of course you would not want to start out with a large piece of lumber and turn most of it into sawdust.
1"X2"X72" would be a good starting point.

[BMorv]

Check out George Tsoukalas' site http://traditionalarchery101.com/archer.html

And poorfolkbows website. 

[Afgos]

Thanks for the info guys.

[Roy from Pa]

Here is a link on how to build a board bow.

http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=108949.0

[Flem]

That link Roy put up is a good one, as simple and concise as they get. You would have to try hard to fail following that build along

[Afgos]

That build along looks good. Thanks. It'll help a lot.

[Roy from Pa]