Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: CedrikG on December 20, 2012, 09:31:43 pm
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Hi guys,
I am very new to making bow but am already very addicted to it. I just love so much to work the wood.
Anyway here's my dumb question :
If I do a fiber glass backing on my self bow, can I violate the grow ring on the back, or it is still essential to keep one grow ring.
Thanks in advance.
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If you put a fiberglass back on your self bow you will violate the spirit of the wood and it will definitely break. >:D
Honestly there are plenty of great natural backing including sinew, rawhide, linen, silk, etc. tat provide excellent protection. There's no reason to use fiberglass unless you really want a fiberglass bow, which is fine but if that's the case then this probably isn't the best place to get advice. I know Tradgang has a lot of fellas that do fiberglass over there. I'm not trying to chase you off, just letting you know what we do and talk about on this forum. What kinda bow are you making? any pictures yet?
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haha.
I did'nt even know I could use something else as backing. I will do my researsh on this for sure! I very ... very agree with using natural material, I just did'nt know I could!
I will take some picture of my last bow I made very soon, it is on its end. That said ... I am sure there's one million mistake in it.
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There is a good chapter in the Traditional Boywer's Bible Vol. 1 about backings. I recommend reading that if you want more general knowledge about the different natural options.
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If you back a self bow with glass, it won't be a self bow no more. But no, you won't have to worry about the growth rings being violated when you back it. But we will never talk to you again if you do:)
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Rawhide is so much nicer. The fumes from hide glue are far less toxic. Go ahead and read up on natural backings. I think you will learn that they are easier and more satisfying!
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Haha
I really like your mentality, I think the same !
After posting this I realised I needed to read more and talk less for now :)
been reading everyday post on the forum since then, and will continu to
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Excellent plan Cedrik.
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I needed to read more and talk less for now :)
People keep telling me that I need to learn that little lesson. :-X
Just don't stop asking questions, even if you are afraid they are the "wrong" questions. In the search of knowledge, no question is wrong.
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Here is a build-a-long that Bryce is currently doing. I think he plans on backing his bow with sinew but isn't to that stage yet. I'm sure he will have some good pictures of the backing process.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,36617.0.html
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Info on my site.
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/index.html
Jawge
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Whatever you do, don't use drywall tape. Its just as expensive as buying linen (more considering how many bows ive backed with 1 yard of it), requires more glue, weighs more and therefore reduces cast, and that stuff is just plain U-glee.
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F....f....f...fi.. I can't even say it. :) Jawge
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F....f....f...fi.. I can't even say it. :) Jawge
Looks like ya cant spell it either. ;D
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realised I made a big mistake that might follow me for a long time by posting this thread ... :-X
:)
working on my black ash bow right now. It has been drying for the last 8 month and seem's ready now. Been working a lot on it in the last weeks, the backing is all perfect, on the same annual ring and been sanding it for a while ... it is velvet smooth.
the tillering is pretty good now, been shaving it with a lime for a long time, slowly. I will give it as christmass gift for my father, only smooth sanding need to be done now and maybe some ... ''draw'' on it ... like tribal. I do not know what yet.
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Ok now I really feel the need to explain the story surrounding the fiber glass ... hahhahaha :-\
Please do not make an image of me from this thread. I am a guy who is completely addicted by the primitive method, and I am EXTREMELY strict on using all natural material in what I am good at, friction fire and primitive kind of survival. I am extremely strict on using no modern tool to create fire, and also use the natural ''medecine'' and make my tool from forest... Adapt to mother nature and she will provide is the way I do things. Please visit my youtube channel to see what I do. Hundred of people say I am completely freak about being too ... primitive and not allowing myself to cheat with modern way to light a fire.
Ok now that I said that, 1 year ago I began to have a big interest on making primitive bow. I bought Traditional Boywer's Bible Vol. 1 , read a little but at this time I was super crazy focussing on friction fire, and decided to wait for bows. I still cut a few trees that seemed ideal, split them and let them dry since then. I made 2 bows for fun, that were shooting ... corectly, but broke after few hundred of shoot ... now I know what mistake I made.
Then lately i realised it was the perfect time for beginning the new hobby, now that I pretty much mastered the primitive fire making. So now I go in the forest, make a friction fire and work on my bow around a fire.
NOW, lately I was watching some really awesome video on youtube, ''making a primitive bow part 1 to 5'', from an awesome guy. These bow shoot so well, and I know it takes years of practice to arrive to such a good result. While watching different video for fun I step on this guy video :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIhX6-S74Fw
The bow seemed very nice, shoot very well. While reading the comment the guy said he made his bow by following this site:
http://poorfolkbows.com/oak.htm
I read the site, and tought hey ... here's my chance to make a really quick, cheap bow that I will be able to practice with. After I came here and started this thread ...
My intention are good, folks :) believe me
Okkkk, I feel good now, thanks for opening your hearth to my pain
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IMHO there are several ways to practice primitive archery. One would be making bows using only natural materials. Even then people are usually not that strict about modern strings, finishes, and glues. Another would be making bows using only primitive tools. This is rarely practiced, especially if you are going to sell your bows. The third would be making bows using primitive means. Doing it this way, you are allowed to use whatever you can relatively easily get so long as you don't need especially modern knowledge, skill, or tools. According to this practice any homemade bows will be fine even if they are made with artificial materials. In many places yew bows would be out of the question and even osage orange bows might deemed to be too impractical for many people. I would rather be free to be "primitive" in my own way. Good luck.
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I might not have explained myself very well, according to my lack in english.
I will of course use draw knife and such material to make my bow, but I will not use fiber glass and probably not buy board. Thats what I meant :)
also, I will never sell bows ...
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You have already shown your authenticity. I believe you would be quite welcome here.
As for selling selfbows, IMHO we need to do it much more. And to sell youth selfbows, we better make them as safe as possible, even if we have to back perfectly fine wood bows. I would use linen, but I will not hesitate to use fiberglass if doing so make them more easily sellable. I will just make the backing thin enough not to interfere with the original performance of the wood bow too much. I'm talking about using fiberglass fabric tape on stave bows here. I have used it just several times. I'm not sure it is any safer than linen. I even bought some unidirectional tapes to test, but I never used them because I just don't like to handle the itch material. So far, I haven't even tried to make it transparent either. If you really wanna be serious about making selfbows, you would have to try to sell them sooner or later. That's the best way to perfect your craft. ;)
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Respect... and welcome I look forward to seeing pictures of your work you have explain yourself perfectly and everybody makes mistakes ??? So please continue without hesitation ;)