Character Bows

[nlester]

I was wondering if someone could tell me where to find a bowyer that makes character bows.  I've been out of traditional archery for awhile and would like to get back in and am wanting a character bow.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[wingnut]

We make character selfbows on custom orders.

Mike

[centaur]

Check out Raptor Archery. He's a sponsor on here and makes some beautiful bows.

[Capt]

Raptor, Dryad and Owl Bows.

[nlester]

Next question:  After thinking about it a little bit, I'd like to try my hand at making one.  Besides a stave, could some of you list for me the things I'd need to build my own bow.  Just the necessities, nothing special.  All info is appreciated.  Thanks for your responses.  Make a list of things I'd need everyone  

[SveinD]

I'd guess you'd need a vise/clamp, a good rasp and file, a draw-knife, a caliper is always handy and a pencil  

[arrowslinger22]

If you ask this question in the Bowyers Bench area of the site, you may have better luck.

[seabass]

i just had two made by Ryan Gill[twistedlimbs].one is osage and one is winged elm.he puts alot of caracter in his bows.he is fast and reasonably priced.gillsprimitivearchery.com.give him a look,steve

[ron w]

Gary Davis makes a good bow blank to get you started! You can get snakey to!

[Ragnarok Forge]

Add a tillering tree to the list of things you will need.

[stickhead]

If you have never built a bow a character bow might not be what you want to start with.

[B/W lvr]

John Strunk, I believe its spirit bow co in Tillamook Oregon. Frank

[bsv]

what is a character bow

[primitivealltheway]

a character has ,bends ,knots ,holes in the limbs ,if you get one thats got some snake to it and then throw on some snake skins ,
 
 
 
 
 

[seabass]

nice snakes.can't wait til i can post pics of mine.everyone needs a snakey selfbow,steve

[glenbo]

I agree with stickhead.Snakey,knotty osage would not be my first choice.I do remember a few years back in Primative Archer there was a article on making a fake snakey bow from decrowned Hickory.Might be a little easier,Good luck,Glen

[nlester]

Thanks for the replies.  When I said I'd like to build one, I wasn't wanting to build a character bow just because I know I'd need experience before I took on the task of character bows.  Thanks for everyone's help, especially seabass.

[stickhead]

If you do want to build a Osage bow I would call Gary Davis he has really nice roughed out bow blanks  the growth ring is chased they are ready for you to do the tillering.