Looking for some help on building my first bow. Have never done any wood work. I don't know what kinds of tools to use, where can I find a bow stave in West Virginia, and what woods would be good woods to use. I want to make a self bows and flat bows. Is there anybody in Randolph Co., West Virginia that could help get a person started. If anyone would have a stave reasonable I would like to get one. Thanks in advance, You can call me at 304-591-4891 anytime.
what tools do you have available? If you have some rasps, files maybe a handplane or spokeshave and sandpaper, you can make a boardbow.
Check out George's website to get started and search around on the forums.
If you can get a hold of a hickory board that will do just fine for a first bow.
Also if you have a hatchet, machete, cleaver, drawknife or something else for faster wood removal that will help.
I should also mention that you can make any bow with these tools not just board bows, i just think that is the best place to start for a beginner that will probably want to get started right away and have minimal investment. If you have access to bow wood, osage, hickory, elm, etc, etc. then cut a tree split staves and while your waiting for them to season go get a hickory board to start on.
I'm not sure where exactly in WV you are, but I've heard theres a fair amount of Osage growing in virginia and presumably also in WV. I heard the I-81 corridor has quite a bit. Might wanna look around and start asking landowner permission.
Sam,
I have a profiled hickory blank that I'll give you. It'll make you a good first stick bow. I'll bring it to the next shoot.
In the mean time, use the search feature here and look up board bow build along. You'll find all the info you need right here on this site to get a shooter.
Try this link first, http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000122
Read it through and you'll be off to a good start.
Brad