Things you wish you knew

[GMarcaurele]

I have not really started shooting trad gear “for real” yet. I have a trip to RMS Gear planned, after which I’ll officially say I’ve started. However, I have been lurking here and have even been messaging a well respected bowyer here and there to better understand just what it takes to have a shop.obviously I’m jumping ahead of myself a bit, and if there is one thing I know about myself is that I get a bit romantic about things and sometimes gloss over info that could prove to be rather important.

That being said, you guys seem to be a wealth of experience in the subject, so I would like to ask: If you could go back to the beginning of your bowyering “career”, what are some things you wish you would have known then that you have since learned the hard way?

[canopyboy]

Don’t listen to Roy!!!

Would have saved me lots of trouble. 

[Forwardhandle]

Good advice above  but seriously do all the reserch you can for the task at hand then put the rubber on the road I think I learned more about making bows by making mistakes & breaking bows then any thing else ,my old mentor told me bow making is a action sport and he was right , but if you can find a bow mentor around here you would be ahead of the game , there is a lot of info around here ,I hate to admit it but even old Elroy has helped me 

[Roy from Pa]

LOL Canopy-boy

Starting out, you won't know anything.

Read a lot of books on it and even better yet find someone to tutor you hands on.

And ask all the questions you want in here, someone will be happy to help you.

[Pat B]

Patience and concentration. When I finally figured those out my bent sticks became bows. I build primarily selfbows and all wood backed bows but I think the same goes for glass bows. One wrong move or one little slip can put an end to your bow...especially with power tools...and your fingers. 

[OkKeith]

I read somewhere that "a bow, is a stick seven-eights broken".

I wish I had gotten over worrying about failures earlier in my bow making. I still sweat the minutiae, but at some point always get over it and just start slinging glue and rasping wood. I have more turn out good than I used to. One of the MAJOR skills folks here in the Bowyers Bench have helped me with is how to fix my screw ups. I used to just chunk the whole thing. That made me cautious about investing in more or better materials.

Now I know these guys have probably made every boo boo possible and have figured out how to fix it.

I doubt I will ever go pro... but each bow gets me closer to the idea of "that one bow". Strive for perfection, settle for excellence and dont let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

OkKeith

[Pat B]

OkKeith, the saying is...a bow fully drawn is 9/10th broken.   This refers to building wood bows. Each bow is tillered to a specific draw length. One inch beyond that specified draw length could be disaster.

[hunting badger]

I would second finding a mentor in your are that is willing to teach you! there's large learning curve and having someone show you the way will help termentously! Another point I would like to make is to go with a proven design and not try to invent your own bows, that can come later after you have experience.

[Crooked Stic]

And at some point you have to pose for a full draw pic in your jammies and wear some pink chaps. so ya blend in here. 

[Flem]

If I would have known 45yrs ago what an obsession making Bow's was going to be, I would have started a wood collection sooner!

[Wolftrail]

I wish I knew how to tiller.  Always thought a tiller was on a boat only.....
+2 on the Patience and concentration.  And when I started I knew nothing and still know nada.    And what works for one person does not necessarily apply to another person.  I have learned more by experimenting,  I built my first 3 piece wood bow after 2 years into the craft and building only 6 one piece bows.   

[Shredd]

 - Use the right adhesive...

 - Making a bow that shoots well and has good performance is a war on thousandths of an inch...

 - Go narrow on the limbs, within reason...

 - Listen to others and take in their info but follow your heart on what path you take...

[bigbob2]

Above all else hasten SLOWLY!. do dry runs, measure several times. Don't find yourself to get something done in a hurry!.Research research. research! Study Utube  read books, but in the end nothing beats hands on . I mainly learnt the little I know from such fields, along with a good mentor and nothing brings the focus right in than making a " stuff up'! When it hits the hip pocket then usually it ingrains fairly well.Enjoy it above all.

[jsweka]

Another point I would like to make is to go with a proven design and not try to invent your own bows, that can come later after you have experience.

I'll second that and add one more thing...Use good materials.  Don't be cheap otherwise your failures will add up to a lot of $$ which would have paid for the good materials in the first place.

[GMarcaurele]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

[kennym]

You're already doing right. Ask questions if you have any doubt. folks are really helpful here!

[Roy from Pa]

Here is some very good advice.

Whenever you decide to buy materials for a bow, contact KennyM who is a sponsor on trad gang here.

He just posted above.

Give him a call.

He will help you like a best friend.

Here is his website below.

https://www.kennysarchery.com/

[Fishinglink]

Wow Roy you must be softening up.

I too would recommend Kenny. He has been very helpful and patient with me.

However if you get into wood and boo bows Roy knows his stuff. Just remember to listen to what he says.




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[Forwardhandle]

Also Kenny has a great build along on his web sight even if your not making that bow all the principals apply to most bows , I buy from him all the time and never been disappointed ! He will answer any question you have to !

[monterey]

I got a lot out of reading all four volumes of The Traditional Bowyers Bible.  They are all about wood bows but much of it applies to glass bows also. Here is a good place to sort it all out.