Selfbow questions

[tim roberts]

This year I killed my first deer with a selfbow!  Needless to say I'm hooked, except there are a few problems, I didn't build this bow, and while the journey through this hunt was a great one, its just not complete till I make my own bow.
Soooo, where is the best place to get the info to learn how to do this, would rather have books than videos, or DVD's.  
What tools do I need to get, which ones are a must and which ones are helpful but not needed.
I have 2 Osage staves that I got from Walt, is this good to start with or is something else better, aqnd where do I get it.  I grew up in my Dad's carpenter shop so I have some knowledge of wood work.  
Last but definately not least, I have always had a desire to make a wavy selfbow, what is all involved in this.
Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance for the help!

[bluegill]

Tim,

There are some great books out there like:

Hunting the osage bow - Torges
The Traditional Bowyer's Bible series

However, the resources on this site are very good and could get you started in a the right direction. Take a look at the build alongs forum, many pages of detailed selfbow creation there.

Post your progress.

Sean

[Pat B]

Hunting the Osage Bow, TBB(number one especially), The Bent Stick by Paul Comstock.
   I think osage is a great starter wood. I would start with the least good of the 2 staves and start asking more questions here, take it slow and steady until you get your bow made.
 A good rasp and a scraper is all you need. Other tools will make it a bit easier, like a hatchet, a farrier's rasp you hogging off wood, a draw knife and a band saw. Cliff Coe, one of the early pioneers of American archery,  made one of his first bows from hickory using a piece of broken glass.     Pat

[Eric Krewson]

Make yourself a tillering gizmo and you will be way ahead of the game when it comes to making your limbs bend correctly. Here is a link.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=033419

[shamus]

My thoughts on that here:  http://analogperiphery.blogspot.com/2007/02/selfbows-and-bowyery_23.html

There's also some Selected Archery Articles  (look to the right column, below the Labels tag).

you can also look at Jawge's site:  http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Don't do it, You'll get hooked and be making bows all the time... Stay away...LOL J/K

You can get lots of help here. Just start a thread and Help will come.

I started making board bows first. Cheaper and you don't have to wait till Your staves are dry.

rasp, scraper, tillering tree, scale, long string (tillering string), short string (String for the finished bow), Eric's Gizmo & a Board or 2 from any mill, home depot or lowe's. Have fun and

[John Scifres]

Hi Tim,

Buy Dean's book and follow it.  If you have quality wood and can follow directions, you will get a bow out of it.  Patience is your best tool.

Wait until you make a couple staightish osage bows before tackling a snaky bow.  When you are ready though, I found the most awesome snaky stave I think I have ever seen in my woodpile this weekend.  If you are interested in it, let me know and we can probably work something out.

Good Luck.  Have fun.  Post pics.

John

[tim roberts]

PM sent John

[Crimson mist]

Plus if you have any questions we are here to support you   although it is a sickness HEHEHEE

[Roy Steele]

You can't go wrong with O'sage. But save that snakey bow for later on after you build a few.
  After  you build that first bow kill that first deer with it.You exsperance feeling that few will ever feel.I did it 18 years ago and I killed my 33'rd buck this fall and I still get that feeling.I never want stop felling it an neighter will you.
   Your needs are small,drawknife,wood rasp,rat tail file,make a tillering board,deer scale yard stick 2 by 4 on my tillering board I have a small block and tackel system used to lift deer. email me for help.BENT STICK as a beginer it will help you forever.Like CRIMSON MIST said it is a sickness but agood one.

[Roy Steele]

You can't go wrong with O'sage. But save that snakey bow for later on after you build a few.
  After  you build that first bow kill that first deer with it.You exsperance feeling that few will ever feel.I did it 18 years ago and I killed my 33'rd buck this fall and I still get that feeling.I never want stop felling it an neighter will you.
   Your needs are small,drawknife,wood rasp,rat tail file,make a tillering board,deer scale yard stick 2 by 4 on my tillering board I have a small block and tackel system used to lift deer. email me for help.BENT STICK as a beginer it will help you forever.Like CRIMSON MIST said it is a sickness but agood one.

[Tommy Leach]

Tim, I'd recommend another book for your library, Cherokee Bows and Arrows by Dr. Al Herrin. Dr. Herrin is a Cherokee who learned from the "old" native bowyers. It is an excellent read and should be in every bowyer’s collection.