Self bow bowyers names?

[Sixby]

I did a bow trade with Pearl Drums and his osage longbow is one of the best bows I have ever shot period. I have shot hundreds of bows and build bows. You will get one fantastic bow if you get one of his.
God bless, Steve

[beaunaro]

Ryan Gill builds a good selfbow.

[silent sniper]

I have had experience with 2 self bow bowyers. I owned a Ryan Gill sinew backed recurve that was quite a sweet bow.it was beautiful and shoot quite nicely.

I also had the most prestigious opportunity to shoot Carson Brown's (Echo Archery) sinew backed recurve named the kingfisher. It was breathtaking to say the least.

Either bowyer would be more then able to provide you with what you are looking for. Enjoy, SS

[JR Williams]

Hey CAVSCOUT, love the name, I am a Cavalryman myself. But anyway just a thought. I remember Ryan Gill was making a plain working selfbow that wasn't as well finished as his other ones for a pretty reduced price, I can't remember what the model was called but it might be a good way to experience a selfbow with not a lot of money spent. And if it comes from Ryan you know it will be tillered correctly.

Another option may be Mike Yancey, he used to offer a plain jane hickory selfbow for not a lot of money, again it isn't on his website but if you called him I bet he could fix you up.

 These are just a few lesser cost options out there.

[Brock]

I am a big fan of John Strunk...no matter if osage, vine maple or yew.  I have had two osage and a vine maple.  All are great bows...he has forgotten more than most have learned over his life...and it is all he does and not a part time gig.

That being said, Ryan Gill has a great reputation as well with his bows...plus he knaps a good hunting head out of flint or obsidian.

Ted Fry is good but there are others out there I like as much or better for what I consider a more reasonable price.

I have started a hickory bow with a second hickory stave on standby...but I was like you and wanted one to shoot now rather than waiting.

Best of luck.  Here are a couple of mine:

Vine Maple (Tillamook Spirit)
   

Osage with rawhide and snakeskin (Buffalo Runner Spirit)
   

[Brock]

Forgot to mention....  if you ever get a chance for a Joe Mattingly or Dean Torges osage bow....you need to jump on it no matter the price.  I have a Joe Mattingly he gifted to me before he passed....that is a special bow.
   

[LongStick64]

I have to add that if you are lucky to get your hands on a Manny Padroni Guava bow, you'll get a real performer.

[Cavscout9753]

Thanks all! So I got ahold of James Rempp. I don't like to talk shop as a rule, but in this case I don't think it's improper. So I told him what I was after ("think simple-simple.") and my working budget. This is a budget I feel falls in the "beg forgiveness rather than ask permission" catagory with the wife. He said he thinks he can do something along those lines. He's working on something right now, but said to give him a couple of days and he'd send me some pics. If that all goes well, I'll be in business. If not, I've got a good list right here to work on. I've spoke to a couple of guys mentioned and the spread is (100% understandably) far apart between cost/value. I thank you all again! I've mentally committed to owning a self bow, its going to happen; the details are just....fluid right now. Haha

[Cavscout9753]

P.S. Brock; those bows are gorgeous! One day.... one day.... haha!

[Fattony77]

I've got 2 options for ya.

1. Attend OJAM March 17-20 (here in Oklahoma), and you would be able to build your own in that time under the tutelage of some of the best bowyers (and all around people) that you could ever hope to meet. The costs would be your travel, a membership (I think it's only $20 or $25 for just you), and whatever your stave and accessories run from the vendors there.

2. Send me a PM, and I can send you some pics of the bow that I made at OJAM, and if you like it, I'll send it to ya for $0. I make no claims that it is a great work of art, but I spent a LOT of time working on it and got even more help from those same people that I referred to in option 1. I'll make sure that I sand out any scratches and apply another coat or 2 of oil and send it to ya free of charge.

Let me know if you're interested in either option, and I'll get ya fixed up.
-Tony

[58WINTERS]

John Strunk or Carson Brown