Bow Styles

[Frosty the Bowman]

O.K. as I have said I am new to all this, shot very little archery, let alone ever build a bow before.

so my question is, other then say the pyrimid style, what other styles of bow are there to build out of common board wood you buy at your local hardwood supplier?

Whats best for a rookie to take a shot at, let me know please?  

Thanks,

[twistedlim]

Start here:

 http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Bowyers-Bible-1/dp/1585740853

[So-Mo Archer]

Frosty, I am new to this as well, and am working on an ALB style board bow. I think that, depending on how good the board is, you could make mostly just pyramids and ALB's (with backing).

The main trick, I feel, is what the bow wants to be; the grain, ring structure, inherent integrity, etc. A good way to see what all a board bow can be is google.

Hope this helps a little bit.

[Grandpa Bill]

I have only been doing this for less than a year, but I have made a few board bows out of oak, maple, birch, and pecan.  Different types include straight limb, pyramid, American (Flat limb) long bow, bend in the handle long bow, reflex/deflex, and am currently working on recurving the tips of a straight limb bow.  They range in weight from 20# to 55# and in length from 58 inches to 74 inches.

With a good board, you can make almost any type of bow you want.