Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: BearNecessities on May 03, 2017, 01:45:23 am

Title: My First Bow
Post by: BearNecessities on May 03, 2017, 01:45:23 am
Tomorrow, I'll be meeting with my woodworking teacher, and making a start on my first bow.  She has two yew staves for me to choose from, though I'm quite (happily) surprised at being offered yew for my first bow!  Everyone I know who has made a bow, has gone on to make more.  I take it this is an addictive craft?

  :BB
Annie
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Chief RID on May 03, 2017, 03:31:50 am
Some how I escaped the addiction. I made my first many years ago and it broke while tillering. My second bow followed soon after and it still rests on my wall with a couple lifted splinters after being shot for about 5 years. I have not made another yet but I have three in different stages of prep. Welcome and good luck.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: chamookman on May 03, 2017, 03:43:41 am
Welcome to Our sickness Annie ! (=) :OK Bob.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: ksnow on May 03, 2017, 06:48:17 am
To most, yes it is addictive.  I made my first twenty years ago.  I may take breaks now and again, but I always seem to find my way back to my shaving horse.  Take your time, be patient and learn.  Best of luck to you on your first attempt.  Don't be disappointed if it is not perfect, just learn everything you can from it and apply that to the next one.

And welcome to the group.

Kyle
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: bjrogg on May 03, 2017, 06:54:18 am
Welcome to PA Annie, for me it started out Flint knapping, then arrows and then bow. When I shot my first crudely made stone point arrow with my first poorly tillered selfbow I was totally hooked. Hope you have the same feeling. Look forward to seeing that yew bow.
Bjrogg
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: BowEd on May 03, 2017, 08:54:32 am
Welcome to the PA.It can get addictive.Each person's different.As for me I like to hunt.The concept of going out into the woods and getting practically everything I need to bow hunt appealed to me.Some people pick it up like a breeze.Very rewarding though.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: wizardgoat on May 03, 2017, 11:18:41 am
Welcome Annie. Many would disagree, but I think yew is a great bow wood for beginners.
Where do you live? And yes, a very additive hobby!
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: BearNecessities on May 03, 2017, 04:13:50 pm
Thank you all so much!! In a few short hours, I will meet my future bow, and get started.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: BearNecessities on May 03, 2017, 04:17:02 pm
Wizardgoat, I'm on Vancouver Island and I'm grateful for your opinion on the yew!
 
 :BB
Annie
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: DC on May 03, 2017, 04:27:31 pm
There are a few of us on Vancouver island. I'm in Campbell River.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: wizardgoat on May 03, 2017, 06:19:27 pm
Cool, I'm in Vancouver. You should come to our bow gathering in September in Cumberland.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: WillS on May 03, 2017, 06:50:57 pm
Yew is the best bow wood for beginners!  You could tiller it with your eyes shut using a hammer and chainsaw and it would still behave and make a good bow  ;D

Enjoy the addiction!
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: upstatenybowyer on May 03, 2017, 07:44:24 pm
Welcome Annie! The first shooter I ever made was from yew.  8) Unfortunately, it's probably sitting in an evidence room somewhere.

I was shooting it into my garage when I lived in the city, a police officer saw me, and confiscated it. Apparently it's illegal to shoot a bow and arrow in the city of Rochester, even if it's into a garage with concrete walls. No hard feelings though, I know he was just doing his job.  :)

Anyway, great to have you aboard!
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Tree_Ninja on May 03, 2017, 08:42:32 pm
Yes it is an addiction.

 Ladysmith here.  The island is filled with bow wood. Half the fun is finding it!
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: George Tsoukalas on May 03, 2017, 09:04:30 pm
Welcome, Annie. Jawge
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: BearNecessities on May 04, 2017, 01:26:35 am
There are a few of us on Vancouver island. I'm in Campbell River.

I am also in Campbell River.  Stories Beach!

You all are such a friendly bunch, thank you!  Tonight I chose my stave, drew my lines, and began the roughing out process.  I will work on it more on Friday.  I can't believe how beautiful this wood is.

Thank you all - I think I'm already addicted!

 :BB
Annie
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Chief RID on May 04, 2017, 01:42:47 am
I hope you can post some pics. Have fun.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: DC on May 04, 2017, 12:12:03 pm
I'm over on Mitlenatch. Walking distance, go figure. If you need any help or tools just PM me. I also have a few spare staves :D
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: BearNecessities on May 05, 2017, 01:12:50 am
Thanks Chief RID!  I will try to remember to take pics as I go.

DC, what a small world!  Thank you for that, I will do so. :D

 :BB
Annie
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 04, 2017, 09:27:02 pm
Tonight I chose my stave, drew my lines, and began the roughing out process.  I will work on it more on Friday.  I can't believe how beautiful this wood is.



 :BB
Annie

If you have a soul at all, you can get lost in the grain and color of the wood easily.  It casts a spell, weaves a dream, and sings you a song your ears cannot hear but the heart will naturally harmonize.  Just let it.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Pappy on July 05, 2017, 09:39:58 am
Welcome Annie, and yes it is additive for most. ;) Good luck , look forward to seeing you progress.
 Pappy
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: shofu on July 05, 2017, 09:56:18 am
Welcome Annie!
I am on VI also - Cowichan Valley. Best of luck and I am happy to help in any way I can (like directing you to someone who knows more!)
Cheers,
George
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Pat B on July 05, 2017, 10:07:08 am
Welcome Annie. You've come to the right place and are fortunate to have so many good bowyers near you. Ask lots of questions(here and there) post lots of pics and enjoy the ride. It's nice to have another female in our midst. Might nock the hard edges off of some of these guys.  :OK
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: ntvbowyer1969 on July 06, 2017, 11:40:36 pm
Good luck,have fun,and welcome to the party...and get ready for it to take over your whole being..lol
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: mikekeswick on July 07, 2017, 02:40:26 am
I'm at least 400 bows into this game and still going strong :)
It sounds like you have some good people to teach you. I learnt it all through trial and error, which was fun but a good teacher is worth their weight in gold.
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: Del the cat on July 07, 2017, 02:50:30 am
Yew is beautiful to work with, it's like having two different woods in the one piece, caramel and cream... just don't start trying to eat it as it's toxic!
Del
Title: Re: My First Bow
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 08, 2017, 07:49:39 pm
Yew is beautiful to work with, it's like having two different woods in the one piece, caramel and cream... just don't start trying to eat it as it's toxic!
Del

And toxophilic!