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fasttracker

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Hey im kinda new to this site but i have always wanted to construct a genuine bow from scratch...does anyone know of a good resource, book, or link that would provide information on techniques or methods for this?
Thnx, fasttracker
 
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FastTracker,
Consider the following: Making Indian Bows and Arrows, The Old Way by Douglas Spotted Eagle.
I won this book and it covers everything from the material to use, to arrow-making, etc.
I recently bought a bow stave (Hickory), but haven't jumped into it yet. Basically, you'll need to buy a bow stave (you can get these from any one of several good dealers who offer these on the internet from 15.00 on up depending upon the materials and quality) and a draw knife (which can be purchased off ebay for $10.00 to $25.00).
There are probably other good books out there, but I believe this to be one of the best.
Good luck.
docmann
 
wow thanks for the great replies, docmann that sounds like a great book I think it might have to try that one out...thaks for the links to :thumbsup: It might be a few months but ill post it whenever i get r done haha
Fasttracker
 
Hey fasttracker, if you can get it, bois d'arc or osage orange is a really good wood to use and has been used for many years for bows. It's hard to work with, but you can't beat it. Bois d'arc is French for 'wood of the bow' and was allegedly bestowed by French explorers in the early days. You've already got some good references for bow making. I don't know where you're at, but you can't buy this wood at the lumber yard. However you're in luck, because where Docmann's at there's loads of it in the shelterbelts. (Don't cut in the shelterbelts, go out in the pasture). Maybe he'll send you some. Let us know how it turns out.
 
I was lookin around on the old farm and found a whole stack of what looked like oak. my great grandpa had it milled off the farm about 20 years ago. The pieces are about 10ft long and mabey 1.5 '' thick. Would oak be too heavy? I live in northeast Kansas btw. I have access to a cabinet makers shop whenever i need it so im thinkin bout just planin one down and goin from there..it may take me a few tries but it'd be cool to make it out of his old lumber, n mabey give it to him as a gift.
FT
 
RGINN said:
Hey fasttracker, if you can get it, bois d'arc or osage orange is a really good wood to use and has been used for many years for bows. It's hard to work with, but you can't beat it. Bois d'arc is French for 'wood of the bow' and was allegedly bestowed by French explorers in the early days. You've already got some good references for bow making. I don't know where you're at, but you can't buy this wood at the lumber yard. However you're in luck, because where Docmann's at there's loads of it in the shelterbelts. (Don't cut in the shelterbelts, go out in the pasture). Maybe he'll send you some. Let us know how it turns out.
Click to expand...


Hey would this also be called a hedge tree...we have loads of these in fence rows around here...is the wood bright yellow?
 
FastTracker,
RGINN's right about the Hedge or Osage Orange or Bois d'arc. Farmers used it for fence posts for years. It it sparks when you cut it with a chain saw, it's probably Bois d'arc. On a related subject, a buddy of mine who is a nurseryman and owns a local nursery has developed a thornless Bois d'arc or Osage Orange. No kiddin'. Do a Google search of thornless Osage Orange or Bois d'arc and his name, Steve Bieberich of Sunchine Nursery, Clinton, Oklahoma will pop up. Anyway, back to the bow staves, take a look at the following site: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/le_enterprises_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ
The fellow that operates this is known as le_enterprises and he has sold literally hundreds of staves. More importantly, he has 100% positive feedback. I just took a look and he currently has seven staves for sale. The prices range from $5.00 to $20.00. The benefit of buying from him is that he sells seasoned wood and he'll give you an accurate description of it. Tell RGINN that I know of several downed Bois d'arc trees, and if he'll come down and cut em up, I'll send you some. Let's not hold our breath on that one, FastTracker, I'll bet he's handled a little Bois d'arc in his day and he knows better. I'm gonna get started on mine one of these days, but don't hold your breath on that one either.
Good luck!
doc
 
The only thing worse than cutting up Bois d'arc is cutting up honey locust. Bois d'arc is bright yellow and very hard. I burned up a table saw slicing some up one time. (I had a reason, at the time.) Some of it is very bad about being twisted but I suppose with time and effort you could steam it and straighten it. It's better to find a straight piece to begin with. I have also heard of people submerging it in a creek for about a year before working it, but I never tried that. I've got a section of it that I brought with me to Colorado that's about 6 years old now. (Well, you never know when there could have been a need for it, and it don't grow here.) Since y'all brought this up I might go fool with it some.
 
RGINN said:
The only thing worse than cutting up Bois d'arc is cutting up honey locust. Bois d'arc is bright yellow and very hard. I burned up a table saw slicing some up one time. (I had a reason, at the time.) Some of it is very bad about being twisted but I suppose with time and effort you could steam it and straighten it. It's better to find a straight piece to begin with. I have also heard of people submerging it in a creek for about a year before working it, but I never tried that. I've got a section of it that I brought with me to Colorado that's about 6 years old now. (Well, you never know when there could have been a need for it, and it don't grow here.) Since y'all brought this up I might go fool with it some.
Click to expand...

Hey RGINN what do u think about oak as choice for a bow...ive got loads of aged milled oak..some pieces look pretty solid, i know i't be heavy but is that the only draw back?
no pun intended haha
 
Sidmind,
You're right. As a matter of fact, we grew up calling them hedge apple trees. If you put out a few feelers, you'll get a lot of feed back on the uses of the hedge apple, e.g., chasing crickets out of your house, pesticides, etc. Whatever you call it, however, it's one tough piece of wood.
Fast Track: How is the project coming? If you'll get going, you might just get me off high center on getting mine done. Again, good luck!
docmann
 
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