Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on September 04, 2015, 07:56:55 pm
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I have recently chased rings on a few perfect staves and set them in the corner. I need to make some bows but I look at these perfect straight staves and instantly loose motivation. Im looking at a blank canvas that can be absolutely anything and I cant focus on what I want to make. Now if I look at the crazy bits of wood, challenge accepted. I see what needs to happen where and how etc. The wood tells me what to make.
Problem is, wonky bows dont sell and I like to sell my bows to support my house and hobbies. Its easy when I have an order to take and make that because thats given me guidlines to work inside. Same with character wood, but when it comes to the clean stuff, I have no flaw to focus on, no challenge, and its sooooooo boring I cant get further than chasing a ring.
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Don't throw those perfect straight staves out, send them to me!
I like boring straight staves. A little reflex is okay, though. ;D
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well get cuttin then! ;)
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Man we aren't far from each other. Bring some good straight clean staves and I'll trade one for one. I have about 100 or so to pick from ;)
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Oh yeah those perfect staves are sooooooo boring. Just send a couple to me and I'll slog through the boredom for ya!
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Lol, you guys are actling like im joking. If I had no need for straight clean wood to sell, id take yall up on it. Johnw, we may see eachother in two weeks. Ill bring my stash, bring some trade foder of your own if you like.
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Here's a movie quote that may help. It's from the movie "Searching for Bobby Fischer", "Don't move until you see it."
I've learned nothing good comes from trying to force inspiration. Be patient and wait until you see it.
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How is this for inspiration? I dare you to build a superbly crafted clean straight bow over 45# at 28", and post a pile of finished pics at the end. I want to see what your cash money bows look like man.
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'll second that dare! 8)
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Im talking tip overlays so smooth in transition you'd swear they grew out of the osage. A handle sculpted so finely any hand would melt into it. A tiller that bends elegantly from tip to fade and perfectly matched top to bottom. You know a real sweety, like I prefer to call them.
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Accepted.
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8) How about a build along for the masses. ;)
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Ummmm sure? Never really done one of those before. Don't know how good I will be at it. I mean, other than posting pics like I always do?
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Maybe this weekend I can get Patrick to hold a video camera for me of me using my KaBar to do it.
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sometimes just starting one can be the inspiration,, :) trying a different finish(leather dye or fo sturgen) or handle wrap style,, horn nocks etc,, get out of your comfort zone,, keeping it commercially appealing to the masses,, etc etc etc,,, cut one of the staves in two and splice at the handle with a little more back set than your normal ,,,
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sometimes just starting one can be the inspiration,, :) trying a different finish(leather dye or fo sturgen) or handle wrap style,, horn nocks etc,, get out of your comfort zone,, keeping it commercially appealing to the masses,, etc etc etc,,, cut one of the staves in two and splice at the handle with a little more back set than your normal ,,,
I have spliced limbs before for that very reason. Got a set im working on right now I did that very thing to.
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just remember creativity is infinite,,but sometimes its ok to take a rest and recharge your batteries,, thats part of the creative process as well,, just thinking :)
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Looking forward to see what you come up with, never really had that problem, every piece of wood I have ever worked had some kind of issue as you move through the build. :o Been looking for 30+ years for the PREFECT stave, hope to find it some day but so far no cigar. ;) :)
Pappy
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I guess perfect is relative :D
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I am kind of like Pappy, the creative part doesn't have to be in appearance. You can get creative about how carefully you tiller out and heat treat your stave into the best performer you can make. Simple tried and true designs can perform very well when properly executed.
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I get all the inspiration I need from the bows I see posted here from the experts.
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Simple stave= simple bow. Make good shooters out of them, quickly but properly, for someone to use. Make straight forward, proven designs (flatbows, longbows, mollies,) and then dress them up a bit with some overlays and leather handles for fun. Then get on to the good stuff.
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I wish I would have more creative blocks, it would save me a lot of money on wood!
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yes being creative and be very expensive,,,,, :)