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Any primitive archers...

Started by Coulter, May 25, 2007, 11:29:29 AM

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Coulter

May 25, 2007, 11:29:29 AM
I know this isn't exactly game calls, but I couldn't find a better place to put this since the only hunting weapons forum is mostly firearms. :innocentwhistle: Anyway, this is where all of the craftsmen hang out isn't it? :wink:

Have any of you guys ever made your own recurve or longbow from start to finish? I have been wanting to do this for years and it is really starting to nag at me. I want to get something started, I have plenty of books ion the topic, but I would like to talk with somebody that has expereince as well...anybody?...bowjunkie?...anyvbody?...Bueller? :biggrin:

Steve

awh

#1
May 25, 2007, 11:39:17 AM
I know a couple guys here that do. They make thier own arrows, nap out their own points...everything. I too have pondered the idea for a while. But I gave up until Cam is chasing teh girls as I just don't have time right now.

I'll take a pic and post it of the point one of them made my daughter for her birthday years ago. It's the only "fake point" we have as it was a gift to her. And if I can catch up to one of them I'll see if they can become a member here and post some details :wink:
My views and opinions are based upon being banned from a place that has no morals or the common sense God gave to a pecker gnat. I also hate frogs and will reply to such at any given chance. Thank You.

studabaka

#2
May 25, 2007, 11:47:54 AM
I and a buddy of mine each made one when we were kids.... mine was clearly better than his cause he had to go for stitches after we faced off in a duel.  :innocentwhistle:
"If your argument can only be made or expressed by putting someone else down, then it probably ain't worth spit." -- MicheGoodStone SA Pro Staff

awh

#3
May 25, 2007, 11:58:25 AM
Quote from: studabaka on May 25, 2007, 11:47:54 AM
I and a buddy of mine each made one when we were kids.... mine was clearly better than his cause he had to go for stitches after we faced off in a duel.  :innocentwhistle:


:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
My views and opinions are based upon being banned from a place that has no morals or the common sense God gave to a pecker gnat. I also hate frogs and will reply to such at any given chance. Thank You.

bowjunkie

#4
May 25, 2007, 12:47:12 PM
Quote from: studabaka on May 25, 2007, 11:47:54 AM
I and a buddy of mine each made one when we were kids.... mine was clearly better than his cause he had to go for stitches after we faced off in a duel.  :innocentwhistle:

thats funny right there  :roflmao: :roflmao:

on the other hand I've never made one but I shoot a Damon Howatt and love it

Jimmie in Ky

#5
May 25, 2007, 02:45:21 PM
The best advice I can give you is to just do it. This is the only way you are going to learn the skills first hand.

What tools do you have on hand now? It can be done with a hachet ,a good pocketknife and a simple scraper or sandpaper. A drawknife and spokeshave make it easier but it is still a lot of work. Some type of vice is needed as well be it a shaving horse or shop vice.

Do you already have a stave to work with or plan on buying one? Are you planning on harvesting your own stave from local hardwoods? Do you know the species of local woods that can be used? A stave needs to be seasoned at least one year before working it. Although some preliminary shaping can be done before you set it up to cure. If harvesting your own you will need a good saw of some kind, a sledge hammer and wedges and parafin or enamel paint to seal the ends.

On all woods except hickory and ash, the sapwood has to be removed. Not that hard a proccess but it needs to be done with care. Anytime you cut to deeply into a layer of grain you weaken the bow at that point. So watch those growth rings and follow them.

I would also start with the simpler patterns first before tackling a recurve type. Eastern woodland flat bow and the english longbow come to mind right off. With either of these you can see how the grain works and keep the bow balanced pretty easily.And both are very efficient hunting weapons. Jimmie

CypressSlough

#6
May 25, 2007, 06:13:53 PM
Coulter, my dad makes longbows. I couldn't begin to tell you how to make one. He's only, made about 10 so far. I will talk to him and let ya know what he says. The one he made for me was actually a screw up. On eof the limbs split about 6". He just lopped off both ends and refinished it. That little sucker has about a 90lb. draw weight now, but by god it will dang sure fling an arrow. If I get a chance, I will post a pic of my bow. I do know he learned from a book. I will find out which one. I do know he has the strings custom made to fit each one.


Brian.
www.All-TerrainOutdoors.com
Brian Keahey
Texarkana, TX 75503

Lonehowl

#7
May 25, 2007, 06:33:45 PM
Go to Trad Gang.com and look around tons of info there. Also Bowyers Journel.com is the place for learning about all that stuff.

Coulter

#8
May 26, 2007, 06:05:02 AM
Stu...the only time sent anyone for stitches when I was a kid was whewn I hit him in the forehead with my rock "grenade" while playing army. :innocentwhistle: Can't say I ever had a duel though :roflmao:

Brian...90# draw weight, man I hope you've been working out!! I bet that thing really does fling some sticks if you can get it drawn far enough. The accuracy must suffer though.

Whatever you guys can find out would be greatly appreciated. I don't necessarily have any specific questions as of yet. But I know I will when I decide to jump on this.

My goal is to build a bow that is suffient enough to put a deer down. Ultimately I want to keep it as primitive as possible. Utilizing material I harvest on my own. I know this is going to take some serious time to finish...especially with the curing of the wood. I would also like to make the arrow, fletching, arrowhead, etc. using sinew harvested from a deer or turkey that I have taken. I realize this is going to take well over a year to accompplish, but the satisfaction of harvesting an animal with items made by my own hand could not be measuerd up to. It will provide me with a better understanding of fundamentals of a variety of different crafts as well...bow making, arrow making, flintknapping, etc.

Again, thanks for any helpful tips you guys can muster up.

Steve

THO Game Calls

#9
May 26, 2007, 08:35:30 AM
Points to ponder - being a game warden you probably have the answer to this one - but can you use napped heads in PA on deer?  You can here as long as they meet the width requirement. 

Anyway, here is a site of an old buddy of mine.  Haven't spoke to him in years though.  George is a great guy and his information might be right up your alley.

http://mysite.verizon.net/georgeandjoni/archer.html

Al
THO Game Calls
www.thogamecalls.com
Become one of 'The Hunted Ones' with a THO Game Call
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Coulter

#10
May 27, 2007, 05:38:18 AM
Hey Al,

Thanks for the tip on your buddies website. It looks like it is packed full of good info that will certainly be able to use. I have added it to my favorites liste for future reference.

As far as knapped heads in PA...yes they are legal. As long as they meet certain criteria - namely an outside diameter of at least 7/8" and not less than two cutting edges in the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface and no longer than 3". Material is not specified, so it may be constructed of whatever one can muster up as long as it meets these specifications.

Thanks again for the great info,
Steve
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