so i decided to have a go at making a bow. i found a straight tree out back and went to work. i know not every wood will make a good bow, i was just working with what i have. im not even sure what kind of wood i have now, so if anyone knows that would be great!

this is the tree and some of its leaves, if you know it please tell me.
   
 
this is the section i am using for the bow, the other piece is just too twisted. i cut off that big twist you see at the bottom.
   


this is the side view of the piece i am using, its already got a natural recurve to it.
   

here is both of them side-by-side. they are 8 feet long.
   

i started chipping away at the stave, and cut it down to 76 inches, i think. its still pretty long but its managable. im aiming for a recurve/longbow hybrid. any advice is greatly appreciated! i am very new to making bows, but i have quite a bit of experience with wood.

i am probably going to back it with sinew, but im not sure that i want to waste it on this bow because it probably wont be good, or last long. but please let me know what you think!

The wood looks like hickory. Should make a good bow.

Yep, Pat pegged it, that's hickory. Don't short change your stave. Let it season and it'll make a bow. I have several hickory staves from last year. I cut one down for backings, the thin strips dry quickly.

Thank you both! i thought it might have been a hickory, but a buddy of mine kept convincing me otherwise. i'll keep you guys posted as i progress. i will put up some new pictures soon.

so, i desperatly need a draw knife, unfortunately, my local stores dont carry any. i checked, both, lowes and homedepot. does any one have any creative ideas for a good substitute? i tried using just one of my knives, but it was hard to get through all of the tough spots smoothly.

-john

check antique dealers- they usually have draw knives