Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Slackbunny on February 19, 2012, 09:52:04 pm
-
We're all familiar with the expensive shop equipment and power tools that can be handy during the building process. Bandsaws, table saws, and the like. We're also familiar with the assortment of specialized hand tools like spokeshaves, drawknives, assorted files, and cabinet scrapers, which can make short work of a stave in the hands of an experienced bowyer. Many of us consider at least the hand tools to be must-haves if you plan on doing any amount of bowyering.
But my question is, what is the absolute minimum tools that you have ever used start to finish on a bow build?
As for myself, I'm dissappointed to say that the "hand tool only" projects I have started have all ended in a small explosion. The only successfull builds I've had thus far have involved table saw, band saw, and an assortment of hand tools, spokeshave and wood rasp being the most commonly used.
-
hatchet from felling to shooting
-
I made a couple of board bows just a portable belt sander, a rasp and two chain saw files. I made a board bow with a draw knife and a palm sander. I used a jig saw on another one.
-
A branch that is picked very carefully could be made into a bow with a pocket knife....just depends on what you want, and how complex of a bow you want.
-
hand ax, rasp, chain saw file and a pocket knife, i still do most of my scraping with a pocket knife, Bub
-
MY military survival knife only. I made many bows with it only and they look and work great.
-
I've made a bow with stones and antler. Jawge
-
And I though I was big and bad,,,,, thanks jawge..... for deflating my ego lol...
-
I don't know if I'd have the patience to use only stone and antler. Maybe that will come in time, but for now I like the quick and easy wood removal that comes from using a spokeshave and rasp.
-
Draw knife and a file for me.
-
Hatchet and a pocket knife.
Current trade bow btw.
-
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27311.msg365187.html#msg365187 (http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,27311.msg365187.html#msg365187)
I made this one in a truckstop parking lot with a bayonet and a leatherman. Josh
-
I've made a bow with stones and antler. Jawge
I am surprised it took 5 or so posts for someone on here to say that, :laugh:
-
Still working on my first bow but so far i've only used a 4-way Rasp, Sur-form, coping saw and clamps :D....granted i didnt have to fell a tree with this board lol
-
Axe rasp and a scraper(i also use a nock file for nocks but you could carve them in with a knife)
-
Hand axe (cheated on the knocks with a little saw)
It was slow work... took me almost a whole hour :laugh:
Del
-
If you are talking a finished bow with a shaped handle etc, I would say draw knife, scraper, rasp, nock file.
-
Prett much most of the time i only use an axe, drawknife and scraper. Oh and a penknife for nocks.
-
Axe, splitting maul, ferrier's rasp and sandpaper
-
I once did a class and used osidin for hand ax and scrapers and a sand stone. To make a bow and 2 arrows.
As for now I only use a draw knife.scraper ,rasp ,and sand paper.To build all my bows. I tault myself this way and other than a chain saw have never used a power tool once. I'm a ferm beleiver in going slow. When it comes to wood bows. Plus I feel working this way you put alot more into it than just building a bow.
-
Draw knife/fish falay knife/5/32 chain saw file and sandpaper.Use to do that all the time,before I got a bandsaw. ;) :) :)
Pappy
-
My first bow ever was done with a 4-1 combo rasp and a super thin junk cabinet scraper. I bet I had 20-25 hours into shaping that board into something ressembling a bow. I started with a 3/4 x 2 x 72 hickoryy board. That was before any tillering. The good news is that bow still shoots and shoots well.
-
Cut down with limb saw, carved with pocket knife. :P
-
chain saw, draw knife, rasp, scrapper, chain saw file.
George....you da man
Danny
-
Your question just made me realize that right now I'm making my first bow with out the use of any power tools,hatchet,spokeshave,rasp and ...crud :P a heat gun!!
-
George, Jamie and Dane built their primitive bows using primitive tools at the New England Primitive Skills event a few years ago and did an article for PA. Look it up. Pretty cool! 8)
-
A branch that is picked very carefully could be made into a bow with a pocket knife....just depends on what you want, and how complex of a bow you want.
Did just that about55 years ago, about a 1" big leaf maple sapling, served my needs well for a while.
-
If you are talking about the minimum for a survival bow then a stout knife or a sharp hatchet will do. Otherwise I'd say hatchet, rasp, scraper, nock file and some sandpaper.
-
If you are talking survival bows they can be done by hand with no tools if you can get the cordage made with out a tool to harvest the materials but a hatchet or knife speeds things up a whole lot !
Bundle opposing limbs snapped off till you get the poundage you need then string it and sweat it into some deflex and it will make meat till you can find the rocks you need to do a nicer one !
But alas that was when I was a much younger lad !
With time to burn so have fun trying to get back to those days my freinds !
Guy
-
Hatchet, sandpaper, and a small fire. It was a pain in dee butt. :o
Bandsaw and power sanders are my tools of choice in my old age... ;D Never used a scraper or draw knife on a bow.
-
Usually I use a sander and hand tools. Working green with stone is fairly easy though. Rough it out. Get it bending a few inches. Let it dry and tiller. When I did that bow I tillered it using shadows agains t my house. Arrows are much easier to do with rocks. btw Jamie gave me the flint hatchet I used to chop the sapling down. That was fun but I like my iron tools. :) Jawge