Getting started.

[CarvingNew]

Any of you guys able to suggest a place to get templates for take-down handles? I'm out of work helping to get my mother on her feet after my fathers passing and I'm spending a load of my down time in the wood shop. Would love to get started making bows and I figure carving some handles would be a good start off point.

[LittleBen]

I made this mistake once or twice before .... wanted to make a takedown .... figured I'd start with teh riser because it would take a while ....

I did that ....

When I finally got around to making the limbs and finishing the bow, i realized it's alot harder to drill/align limbs on a fully shaped riser than on a squared off block with only the limb pad angle cut ...

I would generally recommend against that plan.

where in VA are you?

[CarvingNew]

I'm in Leesburg VA. I figured I would design the riser to match limbs from a factory. I'm not ready or equipped for limb shaping yet.

[CarvingNew]

Am I better off starting with a stave bow?

[Echatham]

In my humble and amateur opinion,  building a handle is not akin to building the bow.  its all about the tiller, never mind the handle.  if you buy factory limbs i suspect you may not get the immense satisfaction many of us get shooting a bow we made.  i haven't made a glass bow (i used to want to) but my take on it is its easier, but requires more expensive tools.  building a couple wooden bows can teach you a whole lot about bows you never thought you ought to know, and will certainly carry over to building a glass bow.  to each his own, but im in love with self bows.  i just built an all wood laminate bow, and it doesn't excite me as much as a self bow.  don't know why... it just doesn't.  so my answer to your question is get yourself an osage stave.

[CarvingNew]

Been thinking on it. And you are right. Was just thinking start small. Which should I try first a board bow or go right to an osage stave?

[Echatham]

osage staves... or any staves... all have a bit of character... and there is always going to be something a little tricky about each one.  a board is probably the simplist way to learn tillering.    a stave will probably cost you a chunk of money or a chunk of work... one or the other, and it will hurt if you screw it up.  boards are cheap and relatively easy to find.  a board bow isn't a bad option for the first time, BUT, if you are serious about it and are going to take your time and ask questions and take advice,  theres no reason you can't start with an osage stave.

[monterey]

Or, if not a self bow, you might go with a one piece long bow, RD or recurve

[Echatham]

i think if i was gonna do a glass bow as a first bow i would start with a hill style.  the form would be easy and so would the tiller.  simpler does not mean lesser.  but.. that would be something to ask a glass bow guy.

[LittleBen]

board probably ... learn to walk before you run.

[CarvingNew]

I'll let price guide my way and check into some staves. Have a woodcraft shop right close so I can count on a nice piece of lumber for the board bow option. I do intend to take my time and do it right though so no worries there. I'll keep posted on my decision and ask questions as I go. Thanks to everyone for putting in. Would really get a lot out of the satisfaction and pride on making my own self bow.

[CarvingNew]

If using a board, is there a particular wood I want to use?

[Echatham]

Id say red oak and hickory seem to be the boards of choice for guys that build them.  Check out poorfolkbows.com    ..... Excellent beginner's tutorials.

[Robyn Hode]

I agree with Echatham poorfolkbows.com is excellent for beginner's. That's how I got started. I perfer hickory boards but I use red oak boards as well.

[CarvingNew]

Thanks guys! you have been great help. I'll keep the board posted on my progress as I go.