Author Topic: The boy who builds warbows...kind of  (Read 10520 times)

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Offline AH

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The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« on: December 09, 2012, 03:29:10 am »
First off: Hello everyone! I am new to this forum.
I remember when I started learning about medieval England in school I became quite fascinated with the war bow. I had build red oak board bows and hickory bows before, and one thing led to the next, and I decided: I should build a warbow!
Most people said I wouldn't be able to. They said that I needed to use yew or laminate ( I didn't believe them), or they simply said, "You're a 12 year old boy. You cant pull a warbow".
I didn't listen to them. I ran down to the lumber yard and bought a board of Ash. The next few days I spent a lot of time in the garage knawing away at the board with a drawknife and a surform. And the end product was something I was more than satisfied with, being my first "warbow". It was 75.5" nock to nock, 77" overall, It was only 74 pounds at 32" hence the quotations on the word "warbow". But Im glad it actually turned out to be a bow at all.

how do you post pictures?
« Last Edit: December 09, 2012, 04:13:42 am by Livefortheoutdoors »

Offline ionicmuffin

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2012, 03:36:34 am »
you click the attachments and other options at the bottom of the box where you type. Welcome to the community! its a great place for questions and the like. Your "warbow" is better than my "no bow"  ;D
Amo innectis arcus- I love crafting bows (latin)

Offline AH

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2012, 04:14:26 am »
thanks! I got it, though I had to mess around with file sizes   :)

Offline imar

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  • DWS; Dutch Warbow Society
Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2012, 04:38:28 am »
This brings a big smile on my face!
Thanks!
Here in the Netherlands we have a 12 year old member of the Dutch Warbow Society who shoots a 100 lbs warbow.
So is it possible?
Yes!
Enjoy!
Imar
DWS; Dutch Warbow Society

Offline medicinewheel

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2012, 05:10:05 am »
Looks like warbow to me!
A pic of the full tiller would be great to see.
Frank from Germany...

Offline Del the cat

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    • Derek Hutchison Native Wood Self Bows
Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2012, 09:55:14 am »
Well done, good to have you onboard.
Del
Health warning, these posts may contain traces of nut.

Offline Josh Wilson

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2012, 11:00:57 am »
Welcome to the forum! That's a good looking bow. Did you make your own arrows?

Offline AH

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2012, 03:06:41 pm »
Welcome to the forum! That's a good looking bow. Did you make your own arrows?
yes i do. I really just take a 3/8" poplar dowel. The bodkin heads I just shaped put of a steel bar with a file and a bench grinder.

here are some better photos:

Offline toomanyknots

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2012, 03:41:44 pm »
Nice! Now you get to rub it in their faces!  >:D I agree it would be nice to see a fulldraw. But the section you can see in the picture looks good. Also, I use poplar dowels for arrows as well. Poplar makes a great arrow, and it is nice and affordable too.
"The way of heaven is like the bending of a bow-
 the upper part is pressed down,
 the lower part is raised up,
 the part that has too much is reduced,
 the part that has too little is increased."

- Tao Te Ching, 77, A new translation by Victor H. Mair

Offline Dag

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2012, 05:18:34 pm »
I absolutely love it when people tell me or others that "it can not be done" or "you can't do it". I love to make them eat their words. Great job on sticking to what you thought would be a fun and challenging project! Those folks that tell you "it can' t be done" will surely live a boring unadventurous life with their philosophy.

Great story, great bow, glad to have you with us!

Offline Josh Wilson

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2012, 08:44:38 pm »
Those bodkins rock!! Please post a how-to with lots of pictures and little words, lol!!!

Offline RyanY

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2012, 09:04:24 pm »
Sounds like an awesome first warbow. I love it when people tell me I can't do something. Makes it so much sweeter when you can rub it in their faces.  >:D

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2012, 11:43:53 pm »
Anyone that wants to argue about the quality of your bow better wait until you have it unstrung and have put away the arrows! 

Atta boy!  Well done, well done indeed!
Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline fishfinder401

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2012, 01:35:12 am »
congrats on your first warbow and proving them wrong
warbows and fishing, what else is there to do?
modern technology only takes you so far, remove electricity and then what

Offline AH

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Re: The boy who builds warbows...kind of
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2012, 01:59:40 am »
Those bodkins rock!! Please post a how-to with lots of pictures and little words, lol!!!

As soon as I get time, preparing for school finals   ;)