Author Topic: First Selfbow advice needed please!  (Read 469 times)

Offline robtattoo

  • TGMM Member
  • Trad Bowhunter
  • ***
  • Posts: 3588
First Selfbow advice needed please!
« on: April 01, 2013, 11:21:00 PM »
OK, I think I've pretty much read everything there is to read regarding self-bowyery over the last 5 or 6 years, but I have yet to take the plunge.
I have a bit of a dilemma right now; I have 2 staves to start on & I don't know which of the 2 would be the most suitable.

Number 1 is a 69" Black locust. No knots, shakes, cracks, splits or weirdness other than it's not totally straight, OR
Number 2, a 72½" Hackberry. No knots or other faults & pretty much totally straight.

Both have good late to early growth, wide rings (the BL is 9 per inch, the Hackberry is 14 rings per inch)

As far as I understand it (although I've been wrong before) Hackberry is more forgiving to work, BL makes for a faster, more resilient bow.

My target weight & drawlength is 45# - 75# at 31"

I'm thinking a simple Pyramid style bow may be the easiest to begin with, but I'm totally open to advice on that!

I have zero experience at this, but I'm a pretty quick learner & way too ambitious!  

What would y'all suggest?
"I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"

PBS & TBT Member

>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow--->

Online Pat B

  • TG HALL OF FAME
  • Trad Bowhunter
  • *****
  • Posts: 15019
Re: First Selfbow advice needed please!
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2013, 11:27:00 PM »
Rob, I'd say the hackberry even though I've not worked any yet. Locust can be finiky and, at least for me, it frets badly. Learn on the whitewood then go to the locust.
 Bring it to the Classic and we'll figure out what the stave wants to be. It is a lot easier going along than trying to fight it. You'll never win trying to fight it. d;^)
 I like your draw weight range too. We might just hit that barn.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!
TGMM Family of the Bow

Offline Black Mockingbird

  • Trad Bowhunter
  • **
  • Posts: 342
Re: First Selfbow advice needed please!
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2013, 06:48:00 AM »
If you've waited 5-6 years to make a bow n your heading to the classic....then it should be easy to just wait another few weeks and bring both staves down for an "expert" to look at it and help you out firsthand....nothing even comes close to firsthand help when learning how to make woods bows..that's my two cents  ;)

Offline John Scifres

  • TGMM Member
  • Trad Bowhunter
  • ***
  • Posts: 4540
Re: First Selfbow advice needed please!
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2013, 08:36:00 AM »
Stop thinking and start whittling.  I'd go with hackberry first.  Don't worry about making your first bows great.  Just make them shoot and learn how to tiller.
Take a kid hunting!

TGMM Family of the Bow

Offline DVSHUNTER

  • Trad Bowhunter
  • **
  • Posts: 2717
Re: First Selfbow advice needed please!
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2013, 09:18:00 AM »
Rob, go with the hackberry first. Black locust isn't the easiest wood for beginners, but it will definitely teach you along the way. Get to the classic and you will have all the help you need and ill bring you another stave to work before you tackle the locust I sent you. ( which hit the mail first thing yesterday morning, but remember it is still green. ) I'm heading to ny farm this weekend and will pick you something good for a first timer, although the hackberry is a pretty good beginner wood.
Dave
"There is a natural mystic flowing through the air; if you listen carefully now you will hear." Bob Marley

Offline michaelschwister

  • Trad Bowhunter
  • **
  • Posts: 576
Re: First Selfbow advice needed please!
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2013, 08:30:00 PM »
Rob

Come up to my place some weekend and I will help you make a great osage selfbow.  You can stay at our house. Hackberry and BL are good for practice.  Osage makes bows.

Mike
"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect" - Benjamin Franklin

Users currently browsing this topic:

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
 

Contact Us | Trad Gang.com © | User Agreement

Copyright 2003 thru 2024 ~ Trad Gang.com ©