Inspired By An Old Tradganger....

[GrayRhino]

I remember a few years ago when I first found tradgang on the web, there was a fellow here named Manny (NorthShoreLB) from Hawaii that posted photos of his self bows made from guava wood.  

I don't see Manny around these parts any more, but I was inspired those years ago to try a hand at making a bow myself.

So, I've acquired a copy of TBB Vol.1 and intend to cut some guava wood on a campout in a few weeks with my boys.  This should make for some fun father/sons time at best, and supply us with some firewood for the grill at worst.

Is there a particular kind of drawknife I need to get before I start this project?  I see quite a few on the big auction site, but being a greenhorn I don't know one from another.

[2treks]

Well it sounds like you have a good adventure planned for you and the boys.
I hear Manny made some pretty nice bows from the Quava wood,I have never  tried or seen the wood.
A friend had some shipped to him from HI. and used it for some bow work. If I remember right he said it gave him some kind of allergic reaction. Kind of like Ipe does to some guys.
You may want to use caution.

This is a link to the classifieds. I like #2 and #4 the best but any of them should work for you and Steve is a good guy to deal with. No worries from him.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=70;t=001525


Good luck,

CTT

[GrayRhino]

Thanks Chuck, I appreciate your help.  I'll take a look at those.

[2treks]

[Pat B]

Manny comes on PA occasionally but is more into high power air rifles these days. Manny sent me a few staves of guava, one very snakey and the other very straight. I built a bow from the straight stave and it is a great shooting bow.(about 60#@28") The wood is physically heavy and works similar to flowering dogwood. The snakey stave I got got worm holes in it by the time it reached my home. I still have it but haven't attempted a bow with it. Here is a pic of the bow I made from the guava Manny sent me. Not a good pic of the bow though...
 

  I believe the guava that Manny uses is red guava. I'm not sure if the other guavas have the same bow building properties as the red. I never got a bad reaction from working guava but any wood can cause respatory or allergy problems with anyoneso protection should be used.
  You do not need a drawkinfe to build bows. If you do want one try a flea market or "antique" store. Generally a $20 bill will get you a good one, maybe on the big auction sites too but I never go there. Just be sure the blade isn't pitted near the edge. If you would prefer to buy a new draswknife you can expect to pay $60 or more for one made of good steel.

[GrayRhino]

Thanks Pat.  That's a nice display of your bow.  I sure enjoyed reading Manny's posts about making self bows and hunting on Hawaii.  
I'll probably be firing away with lots of questions and doing a lot of searches when this project gets going.  Thanks for the help.

[Colorado Joe]

That guava is beautiful. Does anyone know who sells guava staves?

[Aaron Proffitt 2]

Manny made some amazing looking bows ! Wish he'd show his face back up round here .

[Pat B]

Manny showed up on PA the other day. He hasn't been shooting bows over the last year or so because of a surfing accident. He has been concentration on high powered air rifles for his pig hunting.
  He said he was moving back to Italy to be with his aging Mom and was asking about hunting and bow hunting in Italy.
  There are guavas that grow in Fla and probably Cali too. I think the red guava is what you want for bows. I don't know of any place that sells guava staves.

[GrayRhino]

Pat, what is PA?  

I wanted to be out today camping and cutting some guava wood, but got hit with a double whammy --- stomach flu that flat wiped me out, and rainy weather that makes the camping location inaccessible.  Next time.

[2treks]

PA= Primitive Archer.
I hope you feel better
Did you get a draw knife?

CTT

[Pat B]

Thanks Chuck!

[broketooth]

mr pat is the old trad ganger who is my inspiration

[Roy from Pa]

Well Ruddy, yer right about the old part..  

[Tom Leemans]

Pat - I think you should make a spear out of the other stave.
 

[GrayRhino]

Thanks Chuck, I'm feeling a little better today.  Viruses in the tropics are a different animal than in the northern hemisphere....they like to take ahold and not let go.

I'm going to wait on purchasing a drawknife, especially since I might have problems getting it mailed over here.  I'll likely try to make a 'self' version using a piece of flat iron and my angle grinder.  Time will tell if I'm going to get serious enough to merit buying one and getting it sent over.

Is there a way to see the wool products on your website?