3Rivers bamboo hickory blank kit

[Armoured_Saint]

I've been wondering about the Hill style bamboo-hickory kit from 3Rivers. It says it will make up to a #70 bow which is what I'm wanting. So my question is would I need to do anything besides finish the riser area and the tips? also how would it perform. I don't know much at all about bow making, but I thought this would be the ground level starting point. So any input would be great. God bless

[timbermoose]

welcome to the bench!

the blank will come glued and floor tillered. but you still have to tiller it and bring the weight down to what your wanting. you'll need scrapers, rasps, tillering tree/stick, sandpaper, finish, and a touch of patience.

boo backed hickory will make a fine looking and shooting bow, but it's up to the bowyer to make that happen. my first selfbow was a hickory blank, all i had was a couple pocket knives for scrapers and sand paper to tiller it. came out to 80#. broke it 2 years ago when i took a tumble down a hill.

can be done with minimal tools, and alot of reading in the how to and build along sections here. also look at the  http://www.3riversarchery.com/bow+building+tool+kit_i6305_baseitem.html  if you plan to build a few. as well as The Bowyers Bibles.

one last thing, there is no cure!! only more bows!! alot of knowledgeable guys on here and you will only find encouragement here.

[timbermoose]

another option for blanks, staves, kits. sponsor here too.  http://www.pinehollowlongbows.com/Bow_Kits.html

[Armoured_Saint]

Thanks. I've been thinking about build my next bow to save money(and to say I built it), but I'm just afraid that I'll mess it up and it'll blow up in my face. I guess all new bowyer have to overcome that fear.

[Crittergetter]

X2 on pine hollow longbows. My first bow was a hickory self bow from one of their staves. Great people and every time i had a question either Mike or his wife answered the phone! Now, my bow finished out at about 57# at 28" and only had about 3 1/2" of set. LoL.  But it actually looks good and shoots decent. I still get it out and fling a few every once in a while. Gotta start somewhere! Read everything you can and the only dumb question is the one not asked! Plenty of great people on here with tons of experience that will help you along!  P.s. Moose is right, there is no cure!