Looking For Illustrated Guide On Self-Bow Construction

[Erwincm]

Hi guys. Could you point me to a good illustrated build along or guide for making an Osage self-bow? I've built several TD recurves in the past but would like to attempt making one of those very cool trad self bows.

Thanks,
Charles
Madison, AL

[mikkekeswick]

Dean Torges - Hunting the osage bow.
You need go no further. Every aspect is dealt with superbly in this book.

[Bowjunkie]

When I made my first selfbow, it was osage, and the only reference I had was Dean's book. That bow was a shooter, still is, as was my 2nd, and 3rd and... Each was better than the last as I reread and referenced his book often. I take no credit because I was a raw beginner, rather, it was all testament to Dean's instruction in Hunting the Osage Bow.

[Eric Krewson]

When you start the process make one of these, believe what it tells you and you will make a shooter selfbow on your first try.

Instructions for it's use are on page 3.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=001047;p=0#000000

[Pat B]

Dean's book is a great book for learning about osage, how to select and cut it, how to prep it for bow building and how to find good tiller.
Another good resource is Stem Wilcox's "The Art of Making Selfbows". It's a little pricey but a good resource.
George Tsoukalas has a website that will get you started with selfbows in general. George's info works for osage as well as whitewoods.

[Erwincm]

Thanks guys. I just ordered 2 books - one for myself and one for a friend interested in building his first bow. I'm thinking about going ahead and buying a set of tools required to go with the book as a Christmas gift package for my friend. Is there a list of specialty tools required somewhere that I could go ahead and buy from?

[Roy from Pa]

The following is for a board bow build but maybe you can pick up a few ideas.

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000122

[scrub-buster]

Dean's book is a good one.  I used Mickey Lotz's build-a-long on my first couple of bows.  

Gary Davis has a really good selfbow DVD out called Rattlestick.  It takes you from cutting down an osage tree all the way to a finished bow.  I wish I had it when I first started.

[monterey]

Over on paleoplanet you can find Tim Baker's tutorial on your first bow.

[Erwincm]

I don't have an account on paleoplanet but I just ordered the Rattlestick DVD. Thanks guys!

[George Tsoukalas]

Thanks, Pat B.
http://traditionalarchery101.com/
Jawge

[Carpdaddy]

Another here that began with Dean's book and recommend it.