bulding bows

[moosehunter]

I have a bunch of projects I need to wade through this spring but after those are done I want to try my hand at building a longbow. Who has some experience and know how tips to pass on?

 

[muddy]

Matchedset is the guy who helped me build mine. I suggest a road trip down to the Quad Cities and hang out in his garage for a day. There was so much information that it was overwhelming.

 

[bowmaker]

Buy yourself a copy of "The Bowyers Bible" at least volume 1 and if you feel flush get all three. These will teach you a lot about wood types and charteristics as well as basic design. There is a good explanation of growth rings for the bow back and how to tiller properly. Read at least the first one and then find some wood. I would suggest that you start with something other than Osage for you first bow. Ash or hickory are very easy to work and much more forgiving for your first try. Make your first bow longer than you think you want, like 68 or even 70 inches long overall. It will be easier to tiller and you can always shorten it a little to gain a little more draw weight, because it will almost certainly end up at a lower weight than you hoped or expected after tillering.