As it says I am new here. I found this site after searching about bow building. I am an Active Duty Marine who has hunted for most of my life. I have hunted with a bow for the last 12 years. I never hunted or shot a traditional bow seriously in my life. I decided going traditional after looking at compound bow (prices) and how it was getting "easier". New products make it avaiable for any old joe to buy a bow and take what ever game they might try taking. This is OK in my opinion but I wanted a challenge. I wanted to get back to basics and take an animal (deer) with a bow I make.
This realization took me to poor folks bows site and I followed the red oak board build. It was easy and if I screwed the pouch I was only out 30 bucks. Well my first bow is now complete and it is not pretty but it is a start. I got so excited to shoot my bow that I hastly tillered it. The finishing wasnt the best either. But hey I started and now I am hooked!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/010-3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/014-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/011-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/013-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/015-2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Stellar884/024.jpg)
I call her Blood Stripe. It is not for the blood it will shed rather it is for the Blood Stripe Marine NCO's wear. The color was actually chosen by my daughter. I came up with the name after it was painted. Rolling with the name and since it was my first bow I cut up a boot I had for the handle wrap. The boot was one that I wore on my first deployment to Iraq. I branded my initials on the tips and viola a bow was born. Like I said the tiller is all sorts of off but I do not plan on fixing it. You only get one first bow and now this one has a little more meaning than most and I dont want to break it.
Thanks for looking and any comments are welcome!
-Kyle
You will never forget the first one and you will learn so much from this bench. Good luck with blood stripe and most of all
Thank you for your service.
Shawn
Great beginning. Shoot and enjoy Blood Stripe but it is time to start your next one. Welcome to our addiction!!!
Looks great!
Good job! Your form looks pretty good to me too. Your gonna have a blast! Thanks for letting us in on it.
Much better first attempt than I made back years ago.
The only change I would suggest you make on your next is not to cut your string groove across the back of your bow. We just cut the sides on a selfbow unless you add a tip overlay. Cutting across the back might weaken the tip where it can break off.
Congratulations on a very fine bow. That fist bow is always special and I hope you make meat with it. Enjoy it in good health and thank you for your service. There are a few things to remember for the next one. Both limbs need to bend more near the handle. Also, the upper limb needs a some scraping from mid limb on. Once again congratulations. Jawge