self bows

[NorthShoreLB]

Like Shaun says, start making shaves,...it will come to ya !!!!  

[the Ferret]

Since you are hundreds of miles from anyone (that we can think of, although there are undoubtedly selfbowyers in your area) here's what I'd suggest. If you are not planning on making a lot of bows and don't have alot of tools, I'd suggest either a Dryad bow blank by Mike Westvang for a BBO or for a pure selfbow, an osage bow blank by Gary Davis of Rattlestick bows. The most time consuming part of bow building is bark and sapwood removal and getting the thing into 1 growth ring.This could easily consume one whole day. Second is laying out the bow and cutting to outline. Third is getting it to floor tiller.#2 & #3 could take another whole day. And God forbid the wood has any issues that need dealing with like limb twist or alignment that needs straigthening on a caul with steam or a heat gun. Either the Dryad blank or the Gary Davis blank will have #'s 1 & 2 out of the way and mostly on the way to #3. Both will be "issue free" allowing you to concentrate on getting a bow out of the wood. Either of these blanks can be tillered in a few hours, by spending one day with an experienced bowyer.

You won't have to have a place to cut wood, a pickup truck, a chainsaw, wedges, maul, shellac, waiting time for the wood to dry,bandsaw or a draw knife.

What you will need is a rasp, a scraper and a chain saw file, some sandpaper and some tru-oil or spar urethane.

IMO a good clean osage split is worth about $100. You can get one of Garys or Mikes for under $150. A real bargain considering.

I'd be glad to help you out in tillering a blank if we can arrange it.

[buckeye_hunter]

Minuteman,
I would say with a fair degree of certainty you guys will see me at the October Nat Forrest Hunt. I really want to build bows not just for me, but for my kids and my nephew.  I appreciate all the input fellas. Who knows, maybe I'll get a stave and start taking some wood off it...
Charlie

[buckeye_hunter]

Ferret,
I see you have come out of hiding(just kidding there).    I appreciate the info and will get a hold of those guys. I went to your website earlier today, very nice selfbows pictured. Looks like it is time to light a fire under my butt!
Charlie

[the Ferret]

Yea it's been a busy day. Started about 7:30am and finished up about 8:30 tonight. I am about 2 pages behind on my Tradgang reading ha ha.

If you're planning on making several bows you're eventually going to need some tools and learn the first few steps I mentioned above. Making the Hoosier Hunt would be a great first step.I plan on being there if I'm not out of town hunting but I think I'll be in Wisconsin that weekend.No matter, looks like lots of experienced bowyers will be there to help and John Scifres is one of the best I know.

[buckeye_hunter]

I figured I'll need some tools, but I want to see what I'll need first.  Maybe I'll get a stave just to mess with.
 It'll be tough to give up a weekend of hunting in October, but the tradeoff is worth it. Who knows?  Maybe I could get good at it???