Input wanted from all selfbowyers

[crashcastle]

Alright gentleman i am trying to design a perfect drawknife just for us self bowyers any input from you guys on what you would like to see or not see i know theres gonna be alot of dis agreement about things but im gonna take the best of what we say and try to do something with it and there will be a few give aways if it works

[Shaun]

If you look on **** auction site you can see lots of different ones. Folding handles and curved blades and sizes. Don't know that there is one better than the others. Seems like self bow builders cannot even agree if they should be sharp or dull. Its a personal preference thing.

[Tree man]

Crash, You have selected a hopeless and thankless task. If you can't buy what you want then design one that suits YOU.

[crashcastle]

well in the process i am hoping to learn some things that i want to do with mine

[the Ferret]

I use a giant Sorby out of England. Man can I hog osage with that baby. Straight across , probably a foot across and 3" wide, good strong handles.Expensive but worth it.

[crashcastle]

thank you micky i need the help so its squared off bout a foot and strong as all get out what kind of angle do you hone on it meaning how steep

[4runr]

I've got three of them, and I use all of them for different stages.
1.  Big, thick, straight, with heavy handles, a little on the dull side for hogin off bark and sap wood.

2. Long, but with a thinner blade for gettin down to the ring before "the" ring. Also this one has adjustable handles.

3. Short, slightly curved blade, sharp, for finessing along with scrapers.

[crashcastle]

alright well now i get a jist of what the pros are doing im chasing a ring right now with a heavy straght one thinking of making a one inck wide with a lot of curve for the low spots on a stave

[ozarkcherrybow1]

I would like to try one like Mickey described, really strong that you can rip and pry off those rings. Then another that is more narrow with a steep angle to finesse that last ring. They must all have very stiff rigid handles. IMHO...Terry

[crashcastle]

aight im going to order smoe stock today and draw up some sketches and ill see what comes up does the angle of the blade in relation to thw handles make you guys any difference

[George Tsoukalas]

The only one I've used, except for a Swedish push knife which I use as a scraper and for chasing rings, is the one I inherited from my Dad. It's an oldie but goody. 10  inch curved blade, hardwood wooden handles. I keep it razor sharp in honor of him and se it bevel up. It is the ultimate drawknife. I have no need for another. :)Jawge

[Little Tree]

This is just my two cents (which may only be worth a penny or so), but I think the most important attribute in a drawknife, is the handles....yes the Handles. Ones that fit the bowyers hands, and offer a comfortable grip that does not produce blisters. Also, I think they should be flared to be quite a bit wider at the base. That way, your hands wont slip off when you are really hoggin'. It is all about control, and that starts with the handles.
But I think it is all personal preference.........just like SelfBows.....how ironic.

[John Scifres]

I have tried several but the one I have settled on is 10", straight, relatively steep bevel (40 degrees or so), sharp as heck, strong and fairly large handles.  The handles are set at almost 90 degrees to the blade and are elongated, not round.


Here's me making a warbow with mine    

[shawnee]

John, I can't wait to see what the draw weight on that one turns out to be.    

[shawnee]

John, I can't wait to see what the draw weight on that one turns out to be.    

[Shakes.602]

YIKES!!!   :eek:    :eek:        

[Talondale]

I'm still looking for my first one.  Hint hint.
 

[Mulberry River]

I got a nice one from traditionalwoodworker.com which is 5", heavy-duty, American-made and I like it a lot.  Why I'd need one any longer, I don't know.  The  backs of these staves are round, aren't they?  And the blade's straight, right? Hmmm...

[crashcastle]

well its starting to look like tree man was right but i am getting a lot of ideas im making a large straight one for hogging and big shaping parts thinking about30 degrees rake and flat style handles and about a five inch curve one for the ring before the ring with a flat back to scrap it clean with

[JEFF B]

its going to take a lot of  b52 dacron to string that sucker