nice to see the old man getting some love around here for a change...

today, there is no shortage of information on how to make a wooden bow, nor is there any impedence to easily accessing this information in any form you desire, be that books, DVDs, youtube, internet forums or whatever. I've tried to learn as much about every aspect of wooden bowbuilding that I can, and I've tried lots of different designs, materials and all of it, and the learning never stops for me. there is ALWAYS room for improvement, whether that is getting better at balancing the inherent trade-offs of this craft to better suit individual preferences or finally latching on to some small nuance that never seemed to matter before. isn't exploring the possibilities of the process, as well as exploring ourselves, what is most intriguing about hand crafting our own wooden bows?

Yes, J.F. Miller, very well said.

Pearl, no need to be defensive, if you're happy, I'm happy. Like you and Roy said, there are plenty of ways to make great bows.

DVSHunter, as you noted, some of the biggest lessons I've learned from Dean is to strive to coax the best bow humanly possible from any particular piece of wood. I'm grateful for him and a few others whose quality of workmanship in wood bowmaking has shown me what's possible and inspired and challenged me. I love whittlin' on wooden bows, especially those that really require the most of me and draw me into them. I can't think of anything else I've gotten so absorbed in.

Hmmmph... seems kinda silly sittin' here typin' about it when I could be doin' it.

My apologies if I came across as defensive. That wasnt my intention. It was the opposite actually. I was hoping I had typed it in a non-defensive manner. I swear to you  I read and read it before adding it. Dean is a priceless piece of wooden bowyering and its heritage, no question.

Well stated Jamie.

I myself started out with Bowjunkie teaching me the art. Bought Deans books and dvds and learned more. Every bow is a new learning experience, sometimes the bow gets me, sometimes I get the bow. But over the years with advice from this website and advice from others who fought the tillering wars before me, I am getting the bow a lot more than it gets me now:)
Here is the one I am working on now.

 

Just started reading Mr. Torges' book.  Made a handful of ash, hackberry,hickory, and currently working on a ERC.  Can't wait to try some Osage - figured reading the book can only help!

I make my bows with shorter lower limb. Dean's book not only promotes the facet method (which I still use) but it also has wonderful prose and poetic insights into the nature of our obsession.

Dean's book is literature as well as informative. If you enjoy reading, you will like his book. If you don't like to read you might not get it so much. I've only seen one of his bows, and it was a beautiful thing. Rereading it now as I work my way through my first self bow. Also reading the Art of Making Self bows. It is interesting to compare different but clearly well thought out methodologies for making self bows.

Amen John! I learned over the years that Dean will give you the information you need to make a great, serviceable, sweet in the hand, natural shooting, hunting weapon. Little things like limb cross section design and length, etc. all go to a good bow that shoots well and lasts longer than most. He'll also let you make your own mistakes. Most of all, he wants you to experience making bows yourself. You won't learn a whole lot just talking about it. Think of his books and videos as a strong nudge in the right direction. There are a LOT of bowyers out there today that started because of Dean.

"He'll also let you make your own mistakes. Most of all, he wants you to experience making bows yourself."

Right, he's helpful, but he won't spoon feed ya... as well he shouldn't.

I always make the limbs the same. And always ovaled OSAGE cross sections and tiller my bows close to the way he dose for years before he came out the HUNTING THE O'SAGE BOW before I read it.
 I'm a big fan of his methods. And had build a couple bows his way. But I'm not a big fan of the shorter bottom limb.