Hi everyone, I am fairly new here and very new to archery. I have never hunted and have not shot a bow until recently (a recurve). I instantly fell in love with it. I started doing some reading and am really interested in building a selfbow. I purchased Bowyer's Bible Vol. 1-4 and have been searching for places to get good wood.
I live in Kansas but am very close to Kansas City, Missouri. Can someone recommend a good source to get some wood or partially finished staves (Someone here recommended getting a partially finished stave as a first self bow project)?
Any recommendation or advice for a first selfbow? I am thinking of something along the lines of 28 inch draw at 30-35 pounds. Would love to hear some advice! Thanks in advance all!
Raf, for your first few bows I would suggest using a board. Relatively cheap and easy to find. Lowe's, Home Depot or your local specialty lumber company will have what you need.
There are a few websites on "How To" both here and on Primitive Archer. George Tsoukalas has a great site that will take you from finding the right board to the finishing touches and beyond. Also "Poor Folks"(Sam Harper) has a good site for beginners and beyond.
https://www.facebook.com/WestBottomsBowyers?ref=stream
That's prob a really good place to start locally for you...and prob the best in any way shape or form...learning firsthand from someone with experience is the best way to learn
And your in OSAGE country...go find some n ask permission to cut...I've never been turned down ;)
I would agree with Pat. My only additional suggestion would be to try and get a nice hickory board if you can instead of Red Oak. It's stronger and I think makes a little nicer bow.
Lot of guys selling hedge posts on Craigs list. Look under Farm and Garden. Probably 4 or more more staves in a good 8-12" corner post. They sell for around $20.
bretto
Raf; where in Kans. do U live? I'm in Lenexa. I can probaly help you. Ray
Thanks for all the info guys! A board bow sounds like a great idea. I messaged West Bottom Bowyers and have yet to hear back from them. I have been keeping my eyes peel on craigslist as well. Thanks for all the great advice!
Ray (Bow-n-Head), you are very close to me. I am in Overland Park. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance! :)
Raf/Bow-n-Head: I'm actually moving to the area here in the next couple of weeks with my family. I'm always looking for folks with my kind of affliction. Y'all know of any traditional archery shops that have leagues up there? That might be a place to get connected as well.
Goose, let us know when you get to the area, welcome! I am very new to archery, so I am not sure about good shops around here.
I went to BB Archery in Raytown, MO and it seems they have more compounds. They are great people though, very easy going bunch!