First Wooden bow, ideas?

[farmboy]

Hey Guys

I have been working on knives for the past couple of months and in the mean time have been looking into building my first board/self bow.

I'm not sure what to tackle first a self bow or a board bow.  I think if I go the self bow route I would buy a roughed out stave?

I read a post on this forum regarding youth board bows where the bowyer used oak sawn into smaller boards and laminated them together.  The idea was that the individual selection of the piece of lumber would not be as critical (grain structure).

I am wondering if this could be done to build a full scale #50-#60 hunting bow. Any ideas?  

Thanx

Scott

[Osagetree]

Farmboy, I have made a lot of bows and find the hickory backed, osage bow is the easiest most forgiving combo for the begginer.

My first one is in the "How to" section of tradgang. I am still shooting it and it is a great bow.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[George Tsoukalas]

farmboy,  a selfbow is made from one piece of wood or two joined at the handle. A boardbow can be a selfbow. A bow made from a log can also be a selfbow. If you put anything on the back of a bow (silk, linen, sinew, rawhide, burlap, wood) then by definition it is not a selfbow. At any rate there is some info on my site on making either a board bow or backed bow. Nothing on a wooden backing though. I bring this up because I; not sure if you are asking about making  a wood backed bow or a selfbow.  Let me know if I can help. Jawge
 http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/

[farmboy]

I'm sure you can help! as you can tell I'm barely getting started

Thanx guys, I learned somthing today.  I think design wise I like the looks of the flat bow the best.

Am I right to assume that a backed bow is stronger or more forging of less than perfect wood?

Maybe this is totaly inpractical but i'm curious about using a board of a given species, cutting it and laminated the pieces together to make a stave to be tillered?

I'm really not bent in any one direction in terms of building approach I just want a reliable bow built by me that I can harvest stuff with.

George I have been to your great site it is very informative.....having built a couple of knives those trade points are right up my alley.

Thanx
Scott

[George Tsoukalas]

"Am I right to assume that a backed bow is stronger or more forging of less than perfect wood? "

I would say yes and beginners should back their first few bows for safety.

"Maybe this is totaly inpractical but i'm curious about using a board of a given species, cutting it and laminated the pieces together to make a stave to be tillered?"

Not impractical. It's been done. I've just never done it. lots of others have.

Anyway it you decide to make a boardbow do choose one with a good grain. Check my site for that and thank for the kind words.

Have fun.

Jawge

[farmboy]

Okay, I will follow that advise. I think I will start out with a backed board bow because it would appear that there is less set up involved in terms of forms calmps etc?

Thanx for the help I will refer to your pics of grain structure and try and pick a good board.  We have grass carp up here for backing. Will any type of backing material work strength wise?

Thanx

Scott

[John Scifres]

Buy the Traditional Bowyer's Bible Vol 4 and make one of Tim Baker's "Your First Wooden Bow" or follow the instructions here:   http://residents.bowhunting.net/sticknstring/brdbows.html

Or Get Dean Torges' Book "Hunting the Osage Bow" - bowyersedge.com - and follwo his instructions.

Have fun.  Make bows.

[farmboy]

Thanx John,  As we speak I awaiting arrival of the 4 book boweyers bible set.

Scott

[James Wrenn]

How thick of a hickory backing would you use on osage?I have done a couple with bamboo but have some slats I would like to try with hickory backing.Not sure how much hickory to use.  

[Pat B]

James, I usually cut hickory backing strips at about 1/4" to 3/16". By the time you sand(or plane) it smooth on both sides you come out with about 1/8" or slightly less. This has worked well for me with the hickory backed osage, and other belly woods.
   Farmboy, Georges web site has loads of info in building wood bows. Check it out.     Pat

[James Wrenn]

Thanks Pat.I will give one a shot.