Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => HowTo's and Build-a-longs => Topic started by: Drawknife on April 16, 2017, 02:44:43 am
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I have already come such a long way since beginning my primitive archery experience. I have almost always shot exclusively traditional bows. About three weeks ago now I got the itch to make my own bow. where to start YouTube of course and thus proceeded hours of watching all of Clay Hayes videos. Now I have already started this build a long so I'll catch up to speed and post as many pics as possible tomorrow. I needed some place to carve and not having a vice or a proper workbench, I did the natural thing and built a shave horse. I'll post pictures of that building process as well I picked up two draw knives: A generic small no name brand and a 2 cherries drawknife. Other tools I have used so far in this process are a complete set of Marple chisels. I found an inexpensive piece of Osage and am about two thirds done chasing a ring. The Osage I picked up has very very small rings and I have two minor violations and have decided to just back the bow. That's where I am I'll try and get you caught up on pictures as well. Let the shavings fly.
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More pics of shave horse
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The tools. This is much first build along btw any advice suggestions criticism is more than welcome. In fact will always be welcome no matter how good I get.
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The Osage
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I almost forgot to explain. The thread is titled the never ending build along because I have very limited fund and am expecting this to take a while to do. The lofty goal is to make a usable bow by this deer season. Anyone have experience with backings? Any particular backing you like and why?
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Looks like your off to a good start. Afraid I haven't backed very many bows, but I have used rawhide on a couple. Ive used osage with rings as thin as yours unbacked with no problems, but it needs an unviolated ring. On thin ringed osage I usually draw knife to one or two rings from the one I want and then switch to scraper for tha last ring or two. Good lighting and patience is the key. :BB
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Looks like you have a good start. Your draw knives will get you roughed out, but for tillering, youre gonna want a rasp of some kind. You have come to the right place... welcome!
For backing your first bow, I recomend rawhide not sinew. Titebond 3 will make a good glue.
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Great advice. I may indeed finish chasing this ring and then chase the one directly below with a scraper. What kind of rasp do you suggest?
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something like a Nicholson 49 if you can afford it. costs $50 but treat it nice and it will last a long time.
cheaper ones are fine too.... but I don't like the "four-in-hand" ones- too short.