Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Eric Krewson on September 03, 2018, 02:21:23 pm

Title: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Eric Krewson on September 03, 2018, 02:21:23 pm
I have made one or more of about everything over the years and currently have 5 or 6 unfinished projects that I can't get motivated to finish.

Does this happen to you guys? When I was much younger I was always excited about starting or finishing a new bow.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: FilipT on September 03, 2018, 02:30:27 pm
Oh yeah. At one moment last year I got so much inspiration from this forum and I started at the same time several flatbow and longbow projects that all failed. I simply couldn't concentrate or be motivated for one specific project and gods of bowyering got their revenge by sabotaging all projects.
Currently I will make one longbow this month and maybe, just maybe one another until the end of year. Better than stamping bows 24/7 without having any emotional connection with them.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Del the cat on September 03, 2018, 02:43:55 pm
I don't often have more than one on the go.
Del
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Morgan on September 03, 2018, 03:15:02 pm
Definitely, but for different reasons than yourself. When I first started making bows I was at about 40% success rate then I got on a streak where every stave I touched turned into an acceptable bow by my standards, a streak of 12 or 14 bows I think. Then I entered this years trade and can’t seem to squeeze out an acceptable bow. Had 3 or maybe 4 that we’re quite sub par, I think I’m on one that’s gonna work now but it has played hell on my motivation.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: DC on September 03, 2018, 03:25:55 pm
In the middle of a lull right now. I still putter around the shop and I'm working on an OS at the moment but the excitement just ain't there. Just waiting for a new idea or method to hit. DWS's tillering method is what got me going on the OS.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Pat B on September 03, 2018, 03:56:51 pm
I'm trying to work my way out of it now. I always seem to have an excuse.  ::)
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on September 03, 2018, 04:12:25 pm
I'm in a lull now, have several started of wide variety, just no inspiration to finish them. I'm getting revved up for some longrifle work though  :OK
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: DC on September 03, 2018, 04:33:00 pm
I wonder if it's the summer? I know the summer months tend to make me want to take it easy. I could just be getting old. Oh. Wait. I am getting old.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: gifford on September 03, 2018, 04:47:29 pm
Well, I've got several bows "in process" as I call it. I will move one along for a while, then work on another for a while.

Now I've got two osage and two black locust splits to add to the mix. The osage are several years old, the black locust are from early summer of this year, courtesy of a highly localized wind storm.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: meanewood on September 03, 2018, 05:35:57 pm
I have found myself in this situation for a different reason.

About 9 months ago I had no seasoned stave's ready to go, so I started to reduce and rough out stave's to keep me going and hurry the drying process along a bit.

Doing this was all well and good but it has created a bit of a disconnect with the normal excitement you get when starting a new bow and seeing it through to the finished thing.

I now have about 8 bows ready to tiller but I can't help looking at the other stave's I have and my desire seems to be directed to them!

I think I got lost in a processing mentality that a professional would have to bow making and it's not the same.

One thing for sure, the next stave I pick up will start and finish in the usual way, It's much more fun that way!
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: DC on September 03, 2018, 05:41:09 pm
I tried working on more than one bow and ended up finishing 4 bows the same day. needless to say 2 or 3 of them never got shot much at all. Now it's one at a time.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: osage outlaw on September 03, 2018, 06:21:26 pm
I haven't finished a bow in over a year.  It's not due to a block but rather a lack of time.  Seems like too many other jobs and projects are more important.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Hawkdancer on September 03, 2018, 09:37:04 pm
I just have my first one in the ready to finish shooting in 200-300 arrows stage.  It appears that life just keeps throwing things in the way to distract my attention, i.e. Which crisis do I deal with first!  My biggest problem is going to be getting staves ready to rough out and learning how to chase a ring on the Osage!  But I think I have the finish decoration pattern worked out, and the paint will work!
Hawkdancer
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on September 03, 2018, 10:21:49 pm
I always have 4 or 5 bows in the works and when I get a block with one I move on to another one for a while.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Pappy on September 04, 2018, 05:15:47 am
Ya it happen's to me a lot, I have at least 6 laying across my couch in the cabin anywhere from tillered and ready to put the finish on to floor tiillered  and a barrel full in the wood shop in different stages, always working with folks working on bows but can't seem to get any of mine finished. ??? Thank goodness I have plenty to shoot. ;)
 Pappy
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: BowEd on September 04, 2018, 08:22:55 am
Yes delays have happened to me too.Too many other things going on.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Dvshunter on September 04, 2018, 08:55:07 pm
It seems to be worldwide! I miss my shoptime, but other projects take my time. This site helps to inspire though.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Ryan Jacob on September 05, 2018, 04:04:49 am
Got that problem here to. Too much knapping, not nearly enough bowyering.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: leonwood on September 05, 2018, 05:20:51 am
I am not doing it long enough I guess, I have a pretty long list of bow models and woods I still want to try. But with two kids, a full time job and my wife's health problems shoptime is rare these days!
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Dances with squirrels on September 05, 2018, 05:31:47 pm
I have a month's vacation coming up mid-October, I WILL get my bows caught up and then some. Lots of other things planned too, and it's hunting season to boot. Bows, testing equipment, guns, knives, quivers, pouches, calls, chasing critters and shrooms, build another, more versatile bench in the shop, work on completing the shop and garage, maybe a few drinks and campfires :),  never get it all done, but I'm gonna give it hell, and we'll see how it goes. Gonna be a heck of a ride. Hang on!
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Swampman on September 06, 2018, 06:13:35 am
I find I really need to be in the right mood to work on bows.  I will go months without working on a bow and then once I start working on one, it seems all my spare time goes into it until completed. 

I also find i tend to do more bowering January through April.  I have a lot of hobbies but I find I have more time available that time of year.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: Stixnstones on September 07, 2018, 08:39:03 am
Finished my 5th bow of the year in june, the one i made for Pearlie... now when i go in the shop its fer other things, just lost steam and now concetrating on huntin season. Hate the lack of inspiration but it always comes back with a vengeance and than theres never enough time.
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: George Tsoukalas on September 07, 2018, 06:14:09 pm
The years have taken their toll-bad back, neck. Making bows is a slow process for me at 70 y/o.
Jawge
Title: Re: You ever get bowyers block?
Post by: upstatenybowyer on September 07, 2018, 06:45:10 pm
My bow-making motivation is usually very high, however these wood-backed bows are certainly testing my resolve. So many things can go wrong, and after numerous failures I have yet to succeed in what I'm aiming for. Needless to say I've been feeling a bit discouraged.  (--)