Originally posted by John Scifres:
The older I get, the more I sound like a Grumpy Old Man. I will offer this up. Make lots of bows. Make lots of different kinds of bows. Experiment and learn. BBOs are awesome. HBOs are awesome. Ipe and bloodwood and beefwood are awesome. They all make wonderful bows. Use them all and show us what you find. The best bow is the one you are working on now. There are many paths to the Promised Land
I highly recommend Dean Torges' video "Hunting the Bamboo Backed Bow" (bowyersedge.com). You will learn so much from that GOM.
You have no idea how true that is John.
I start getting bored with the same old tried and true designs and start trying to mix it up.
I'm not above trying anything if I think it will up the performance of one of my own hand made bows. Each one kind of takes on a life of it's own with it's unique character, but all the same principles apply.
I need to add some bending into my arsenal and maybe a few different woods also, because Osage is all I have worked with up to this point.