Self Bow question

[stikbowshooter2]

Looking at getting a good self bow and start shooting wood arrows for a bit more of a challenge and nostalgia.  Was wondering what I really need to look for to assure that I get a good quality, well made bow and that it shoots well.  Any help or tips?  Look for bows made by certain people, or is it all kind of a gamble?  Have never shot a self bow and not sure what to even look for besides specs. that I am comfortable shooting.  All help is appreciated.  Thank you.

[ChristopherO]

SBS2,
I would suggest what ever you get make sure it doesn't dry out too much in your arid climate.  
You might want to pick up the Traditional Bower's Bibles 1 & 2, go to a lumber yard with good hardwood boards and make a board bow to get a good idea what an all wood bow is before you invest in an expensive self bow.

[kctreeman]

i'm with CHRISTOPHER> Bbuy a couple books and some wood and make one yourself. CAREFULL THOUGH IT CAN BE ADDICTING>

[Pat B]

Hickory would be a good choice for your area. It likes being pretty dry to perform well. About 6% where most other woods should be 9% to 11%.   Check out Jawge's or Mickey's sites for all the info you will need to make a good self bow from a stave or a board. Pat

[brettlandon]

What are you shooting now?  If you are already used to shooting a longbow (that is NOT centershot) you will have no trouble transitioning into a selfbow.  If, however, you are used to shooting a centershot bow and are using the arrow as a sight (gap shooting or string jumping) you will struggle for some time learning the instinctive style necessary to shoot a selfbow.  This is experience talking.  I try to make at least one new selfbow a year, and I can't get enough.  But learning instinctive shooting was very challenging for me.  Good luck, and welcome to the woodbenders.

-Brett

[Tree man]

Lots of guys make their own...but there is definitely a learning curve and you will likely make and break several duds in your pursuit of a good selfbow. There are several people who make and sell bamboo backed wood bows and a few who sell true selfbows. I am rather partial to Ed Scott's Owl bows-but I'm biased since he is my father.

[laddy]

Anybody have any experience with red cedar backed with bamboo, for a longbow?

[Pat B]

Boo backed ERC is possible but I believe hickory or hard maple would be a better choice of backing for ERC. Boo is very strong in tension and can easily overpower the ERC belly.     Pat

[stikbowshooter2]

I primarily shoot longbows lately.  have a couple Widow recurves, but have really been shooting my Thunderhorn longbow more and more.  Also have a Tolke and a Chek-Mate longbow.  I initially started out shooting virtually all instinctive, but now see my arrow just a bit. More just as a reference but do not use it to aim, more just to make sure it is straight towards the target in a straight line, nor do I gap shoot.  I could learn to keep the arrow straight with it being out of center shot and think I'll be ok.  I eventually did want to build my own self bow but not very good at shaping and that kind of stuff freehand.  I want it to hunt with and not sure if I could tiller and balance it as well as shape the handle properly.