I am new to the Trad Gang. I was introduced to the sight today by a friend and member. I built my son a 32" Osage Orange longbow about two years ago. I had very limited information, that I gained from some other sites. Didn't happen across this one then, but sure wish I had. I have learned more today, then in weeks two years ago. However, a lot of the bowyer terminology escapes me. Could someone tell me where to find a site or book with the terminology, or maybe e-mail or post me a list. This would be greatly appreciated. By not knowing or understanding the terminology it frustrated me and I gave up, but my desire to make my own bow to hunt with has bee re-fired by my friend and finding this site today. Thanks in advance. :confused:
Some of the how to books on bow building have lists. If you don't have any of the books, just ask here, everyone is very helpful and will answer your questions.
some of the sponcors like 3Rivers and Kustom King carry books and DVD's
Hello Blue Eaglebum, I would gladly help you with the bow terminology any questions just message me
What sort of terminology?
Bow parts like riser, fades, shelf, handle, nocks, back or belly.
Bow types and building terms like tiller, reflex, deflex, selfbow, composite bow, backed bow, laminate bow, english longbow, american longbow, static recurve, working recurve, flatbow etc.
All of these can be found in the Traditional Bowyers Bible series of books and in many other places or like others said, just by asking here.
By the way, how about some pics of the bow you made for your son. Everyone always likes to see someones first bow.
Mr. Bulla,
Below I have listed some terms/phrases I am not sure of. As far as the pictures, I will be posting them soon.
Fades, Face / back, sinew, static recurve, tiller to zero, static tips, spokeshave, stacked body, taper rate, ans deflex/reflex.
Many of the others I found that I new what they were, but knew them under a different name/word.
Thanks for the help. I will be building soon.
Wes
In the Traditional Bowyers Bible, vol 4 there is a glossary on page 313 with almost 11 pages of archery terminology that should be helpful to you. If you don't have that volume or any of the series they are very informative and a must for any traditional/primitive archery library.
fades - where the riser fades into the limbs.
face - belly of the bow. The side facing you when you are shooting it.
back - The side facing the target when you are shooting the bow.
sinew - the inside fiberous like thread parts of the tendons of animals. Used in many ways by trad archers. very strong. Sew with it, glue it to the back of a bow for reinforcement and on and on.
static recurve - the bends in the end of a recurve limb that do not bend much when drawn.
tiler to zero - the distance from string to fade on both the upper and lower limb are the same. Measured at right angles from the string. this means both limbs are tillered the same strength ussually.
static tips - kind of the same as static recurve.
spoke shave - tool type for shaving wood from limbs.
stacked body - ?
Taper rate - The rate that the limb narrows in width or thickness toward the tips.
deflex - when the limb curves toward you if holding an unstrung bow in a shooting position.
reflex - when the limb curves away from you when holding an unstrung bow in a shooting position.
BBO - bamboo backed ossage.
BBI - bamboo backed ippe.
HBO and HBI - hickory backed ossge and ippe.
Ippe is a south american walnut.
Tiller - shaping the limbs so they bend properly when strung and drawn.
Blue EagleBum, I agree with Pat B. The Traditional Bowyers Bibles, all volumes, helped me immensely. Specifically TBB Vol. 1 really has some great starting out information. You can gain bits and pieces of helpful info. from each based on what kind of bows you want to build.
Where are you at in WV? If you haven't been to the Appalachian Traditional Archery Rendevous (ATAR) you should try and make it. It's held in July at Lake Stephens outside of Beckley. There are a lot of selfbow guys there that can help you out and you can usually pick up many of the books on bow building.
Aaron
Thank all of you for the information. My Traditional Bowyers Bible will be ordered today.
Mr. Scott, thank you for the definitions.
ALW, I am in New Haven, WV. I live right along the Ohio River.
Stacked body refers to the cross section of the bow where it is really rounded and heavily arched as in some English Longbows. Good job, Jason. :) Jawge
EagleBum,
You can get the whole set of all four Vols. adn save about 20$ from three rivers