Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
Bowyers Flote
CraigMBeckett:
--- Quote ---Sorry, I don't have a picture and the small detail wouldn't show up. You can see the real thing in a hardware store or tool store where they have a good selection of files. You will be able to make the connection to the flote drawings on the bowyers' coat of arms.
--- End quote ---
So you are talking of Plane makers float files.
I do not believe they or similar tools are the same thing as the flotes, the photograph I provided is I believe a modern version of the tool.
Craig.
Jaro:
Which does not seem to be designed for bowmaking.
J.
CraigMBeckett:
jaro,
--- Quote ---Which does not seem to be designed for bowmaking
--- End quote ---
I have read other opinions that are totally converse to yours. As I indicated earlier the bowyers of the middle ages used excellent staves and did not have a great need to negotiate dips etc on the sides and bellies of the bows they made.
You also seem to forget that we have someone on this site who uses one he built himself, I have read of other people who have found them useful and easy to use, one description of their use was by a person who got roped into doing demo's of bow building at a re-enactment event and was given one to use, he said he found it better than any of the tools he usually used. (Cannot find the site with the report now).
I would also suggest that one could follow dips with it if one wished simply by tilting it forwards or backwards and using the front or back blade.
Now although I have not used one I am not prepared to dismiss it as useless before I try it or ask others who have used it what they think of it. To buy one and have it sent to Australia would be more than I am prepared to spend on a tool I may not like at present but I fully intend to get one and try it sometime in the future.
Craig.
Rod:
I've seen one of those and wouldn't give you sixpence for one of those things, but everyone has preferences in tools and that is their own business.
I would not even use a concave scraper without rounding off the sharp points and as for spending money on several fitted into a brush handle, I would have no use for such a thing.
Seems to me the flote on the coat of arms is for roughing out characterless staves.
Can't say I care much either way.
And I wouldn't lecture Jaro on tools knowing him, his work and his knowledge of the topic as I do.
Rod.
Jaro,
Have you seen the Lie Nielsen Boggs chaimakers spokeshave with the curved sole.
Now if only they made a scraper version of that.....
That would be an heirloom quality bowyers edge if there ever was such a tool.
I have the 212 scraper plane and the low angle block plane and they are a delight to use, but a scraper version of the Boggs spokeshave would be marvelllous.
Jaro:
Rod, I have seen that spokeshave - on the picture. :D I still have only the one I inherited from a local chairmaker , and that is german cca 1925 and has seen alot of use, though I have made me new blade from old HSS steel saw. Word of caution, I bought quite expensive Veritas spokeshave, which they advocate as suitable for bowmaking and found it uselles, so caveat everybody.
This is the scraper spoke I made from ash, the screws for fixing the blade in arent instaled and it really need brass sole. Next to it my old style coachmakers spoke blades, sharpened and tuned, only waiting for nice piece of boxwood :)
Craig, you seem to spend alot time of advocating for a tool which you dont use. Didnt you came to ask oppinions?
J.
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