a little food for thought!

[Pat B]

So, you are a first time bow builder or are relatively new to wood bow building...here are a few things to think about before you start!
   1) each type of wood has a particular design that works best for it as a self bow.
   2) each stave will also have a particular selfbow design that will work best for it.
   3) each piece of wood will have a particular selfbow design that will work best for it.
   4) each bow builder will have a particular selfbow design that will work best for them.
   5) each bow design has a particular length that works best for it.
   6)...and each draw length has a bow design that works best for that length.
  Any or all of these may have more than one design or style or type but it all should be considered before you make your decision about what you are going to build in the selfbow category.

   
 If you are interested in building a board bow your considerations will be similar but there are also differences. Like with glass lam bows, wood lam bows are engineered before assembly for the optimum end product. Your back, core(s) and belly each has it's own consideration as to the stress properties they each possess for their particular job in the bow.
   Backed board bows...
  1) what is the best backing material to consider for the particular belly wood, but also the design you intend to use.
   2)...or what is the best belly for the backing you have chosen, but also the design you intend to use.
   3) what is the best grain configuration for the belly wood used but also the design, draw weight, draw length and use.
   4)  what is the best grain configuration for the backing you intend to use. If you plan to use bamboo the grain isn't a particular concern.
   5)...if you do choose boo for a backing, will your belly wood, design and length support the boo backing.

   I have noticed that lots more folks are getting interested in building wood bows; whether they be selfbows, backed wood bows or all wood lam bows. I have also noticed that lots of these folks have already decided what they want to build before acquiring their materials. To me, that is backwards when working with woodbows.
     
  With a glass bow recipe you can decide what you want and then obtain the materials to make that bow. Generally the wood you use will be primarily for cosmetic reasons but also a gluing surface for your construction and many wood species and grain configurations will work.
   With wood bow construction I believe you acquire your stave(or board) first and fit the design to the particular piece of wood, species of wood, grain configuration, draw weight, draw length, intended use and any particulars you may have as the shooter.
 Just because it is simple doesn't mean it is necessarily easy. Who would have thunk building a simple wood bow could be so complicated.  d;^)
  A good source if information about these considerations can be found in the TBB series of books. The "Design and Performance" sections of both TBBI and the update in TBBIV will give you lots to consider....and sites like George's and Mickey's, and others will give you proven techniques that have many hours of experimentation, with successes and failures, that will get you closer to your new, self built bow. It is up to you to do your research but all of the info is out there for the taking.
   Added to all of this are sites like this one on TradGand, Primitive Archer, Paleoplanet, etc where you can ask questions and get the helpful criticism, suggestions and also see what others have done to get you closer to a successful self built bow. Today, new wood bow builders or wannabes have the best wood bow builders in the world at their fingertips unlike when I and many others got started. Take advantage to these resources and follow a few suggestions from folks that know and you will have a better chance of success. Not all suggestions work for all situations and you may have to do a bit of experimentation yourself and share the results with others. That is what it is all about.
   I'm sure I missed a few things so any and all updates and suggestions are welcomed.

[buckhuck]

Thanks for the info Pat.  This site and information from experienced folks like yourself is priceless to guys like me.        

[Pat B]

That's what it is all about, my friend. Passing it on!

[ranger 3]

Hey Pat you said (each type of wood has a particular design that works best for it as a self bow) how does one know what works?

Howard

[Pat B]

By reading everything you can find on the subject and by asking folks that have done it before. These are luxuries I didn't have when I started so take advantage of them. Also, do a little experimentation. If you have a piece of wood but are unsure of its worthiness, make a scaled down model of a bow and see how it works. The process is the same, the theories are the same and the methods are the same and you can do it with a 6" piece of wood instead of a 6' piece of wood.

[ChristopherO]

Pat is so right.  I consider myself a neophyte in bowery but the TBB books and these forums have been a big help.  I am now noticing what he is speaking of when working with a stave.  I recently changed my original idea of a bow design for a particular osage stave and letting the wood tell me what it should be has allowed me to learn another variety of bow design and put this piece of wood to better use.

[Pat B]

If you take the time to listen, the wood will talk to you and tell you what it wants to be. If you try to force your ideas on the wood, it will fight back. Sure, you can tame it...but why?  Why make bow building more difficult than it has to be?
   I like the way you phrased that Christopher, "...has allowed me to learn..." Seems like too many folks come to this "knowing" but not allowing the wood to teach them. They are missing out on a whole new world.

[Pat B]

ttt

[Wulomac]

I always enjoy the input from the Pat Bs on this site.  Great teachers plus good students makes fun times for the future!  
   
Wells

[Pat B]

You've got it Wells. Takes 2 to tango!

[razorback]

While Pat's food for thought looks complicated to those of us who are new to this wonderful past-time, they are a tremendously sucsinct explanation of the complexity of wood and how we have to work with it.
Pat has been a tremendous help to me in my early attempts at bow making, along with the other wonderfully helpful people who regularly look out for those of us who would make careers as kids bow builders. Thanks to you Pat and everyone else who helps.
Tony

[Pat B]

I guess it does sound complicated but once you get it, you've got it! After that it is just making bows. d;^)
   I build wood bows because I love it. Others taught me so I'm just passing on what was passed to me. That's only fair.

[jcar315]

Thanks, I am new to the board and have a specific interest in building myself a bow. I have tried to read what I can but if pressed I would not know where to start...any suggestions? Buy a kit? Attend a class? I would like to build something that is uniquely mine and feel that sense of accomplishment when I'm done. Thanks again!

[Pat B]

jcar, Start out with a stave or board bow and a simple design and learn the tillering process first. After you get that part worked out, you can build any style bow you would like.
  When you have your wood, come back and we will walk you through the process.

[Dano]

Great info Pat, well done!!

[Pat B]

Thanks Dano.   Made any bows lately?

[Dano]

Nope, been takin a break. Maybe I'll get fired up after Ojam this week.

[jcar315]

Pat, I can't thank you enough. With my limited skills I am going to jump in to making a bow. I will stay in touch. Thanks again John