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Where to find an affordable warbow

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markinengland:
Making a warbow isn't that hard. Why not let us talk you through it? If I can do it OK I reckon anyone can.
A laminated bow is a good place to start. A good bit of Ipe, glue on a hickory backing, make it about an inch and a quarter wide and same deep at the handle, taper in width and depth to half inch or maybe 5/8ths at the tips, round the edges, make it maybe 74 inches long, use a walky talky stick to check for an even bend, gradually tiller to your full draw length keeping an even bend and almost be accident you end up with the classic full arc warbow.
I would never buy a bow now when all it takes it some time and patience to mkae one. You can do it. You have already done the ground work of breaking a few! Why not have another go?
Mark in England

Garry:

What Mark is saying is true, except in Canberra ipe is not easy to get (read you will have to import).
Tim, I am also from Canberra and have made a few warbows, laminating is the easy part, finding good quality wood is the challenge in Oz. I suggest you head down to M@#$%& Timbers in Fyshwick and have a look. (JD, hope this satisfies your advertising rules).
I spent three years building a pile of wood splinters, now I reap the benifits of my toil. I have taught a few blokes how to make bows in build-alongs so they did not have to go through the pain that I did, will be willing to show you and your mates a few of the tricks on how to make bows instead of fueling the BBQ!
Also, to prevent the bang on the head I ALWAYS wear a helmet when testing a stave. I learnt that lesson early on, thrice! ::)
Hope you get your warbow, loosing an arrow from a warbow is one of the joys in life!
Gaz

SimonUK:
Someone in Oz was telling me that you can use some local timbers for bows ...red ash I think (which apparently isn't a true ash) and eucalyptus possibly. I'm sure there must be others too. Otherwise head for M@#$%& Timbers as Garry suggests.

duffontap:
Timmah,

If you're interested in reading a tutorial on building a war bow, check out this link.  I did this thread last year while I was building my first 'real' war bow.  It should tell you most of what you'ld need to know.

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,863.0.html

      J. D. Duff

MalV:
Tim,
I would recommend that you take advantage of Garry's local knowledge, and take him up on his offer to help you and your mates. There is a lot that you can learn from guys like JD, his build along is a great read, and makes it look simple, but does not show the years of work to get to that level.  Having someone with you as you put steel to wood will go a long way to ensuring that your first effort at warbowyery (new word?) gets close to the mark.
I have seen Garry's warbows, and have taken advantage of his knowledge in the past. So get in touch with him, as he won't be living in Canberra for ever.
Why buy when you can make yourself? that way its 'your' warbow, and not someone elses that you now use!

Cheers,
Mal

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