This thread should be a sticky. Renamed make bows from scraps! For new guys and gals out there looking to build their first bow or hesitant to dive into an expensive stave just yet they should read through this thread. Great stuff. Inspirational BJ. Thanks again for taking the time to document all of this. It’s a lot of work.
Thanks so much everyone for the kind words. The greatest compliment is when you tell me you tried something new because of it. We veteran bowyers sometimes forget how scary and impossible things seemed when we started. I was fortunate to have HHB growing on my farm I could harvest. At one time lots of ash too. I learned a ton from it.
But when I first got my hands on Osage, it was a different story. I had very little wood to work with and zero experience with yellow wood. I saved every sliver and practiced all the things I just posted with them. I think making short kids bows thought me so much about tillering. You really need to get everything bending . The entire limb is so important. Splicing is tricky, but practicing on scrap makes you feel more comfortable with it.
Dave I have often thought it would be nice if it was a sticky thread, but I guess this way I can just bring it back when I feel like it is a good time to. Honestly wonder how many people look at the sticky’s anyway.
The title probably isn’t really catchy. But it is good advice.
Thanks again everyone and remember. We’re routing for you
Bjrogg