Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
Hello
adb:
Welcome aboard, Rich.
CraigMBeckett:
--- Quote from: JW_Halverson on February 16, 2012, 02:15:13 pm ---I have made a few ELB's, albeit not in the warbow range. Some have shot wonderfully, one indifferent, and one had handshock sufficient to cause brain aneurisms and loose stools. Knowing Mr. Bickerstaff's reputation as a bowyer, I owe it to myself to get that book. If nothing else, it might just be good reading on a winter's nite.
Good luck with your search for wood, Rich. I know it's always more satisfying to use wood you cut yourself, but there is no shame in "harvesting" a radically decrowned stave from the lumberyard.
--- End quote ---
I must admit to not being a fan of Pip Bickerstaffe, mainly because of his outlandish claims etc, but I do have all of his books. On bow building the books do not have anything not found elsewhere, but, from memory, his book " Medieval War Bows" is the only source I have found that gives dimensions for the slots, both nock and reinforcement, for typical MR arrows.
Craig.
richsmith:
Craig do you have any suggestions on books or websites to help a novice bow-builder? (I won't call myself a bowyer just yet) I found Del's blog and diary very useful as was the back street bowyer... Im just in the process of choosing some kiln dried ash... Think I'm going to try for a bow around 30 to 40 lbs to start with and see what happens
Ian.:
Build-alongs are the best way to learn. Make a start post it up and ask for suggestions. There is the odd pamphlet on making bows but they aren't interactive.
If you are going down the Kiln dried ash route I would strongly suggest the first few bows are made with the grain 90 degree to the back/belly, it will reduce the risk of compression marks forming. And you don't have to worry about chasing a ring. For that weight you can get a board 1" thick and cut it into 1"/1" sections lengths.
mikekeswick:
I would recommend you get the Traditional Bowyers Bible books. Start with just the 1st one, make a few bows then buy the others. IMO these are much better than most other books as they deal with the whys and don't repeat a lot of the misinformation that is out there regarding wooden bows.
When you select your ash board use ONLY boards with perfectly straight grain on all four edges. If you can't find any this good then back it with linen. Remember the first thing is to get a shooter. Board selection is absolutely key to making un-backed board bows.
Good luck.
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