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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: eaglefeather on February 15, 2009, 01:35:00 AM

Title: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: eaglefeather on February 15, 2009, 01:35:00 AM
seen it done,just a small amount.anybooks out there,with any pointers in it?
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: Pat B on February 15, 2009, 10:25:00 AM
I think the thing about a hatchet bow is just trying it. The more comfortable you get with the tool and using it the better you will get. You use the same bow building principles as with any other method but you are limiting yourself to one tool.
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: reddogge on February 15, 2009, 03:08:00 PM
I've known some decoy carvers that can rough out a head and body with a hachet but move to finer tools to finish them up like drawknife, knife, rasp, and sandpaper.
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: Falk on February 16, 2009, 07:03:00 AM
You might want to search for the following book:
HODGKIN, A.E. (1951): the Archer's Craft. – 222 p., 32 figs.; New York (Barnes).

A.E. = Adrian Elliot
A true classic and a very good book - and he was a hatchet guy - at least for roughing out the stave  :)  There was one offered in the classifies recently. Dont know if its still available though.
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: bowmaker07 on February 16, 2009, 09:49:00 AM
Chop away everything that doesn't look like a bow!  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: wingnut on February 16, 2009, 01:49:00 PM
Well the first thing is to have the right hatchet and make sure it is sharp and stays sharp.

I've built quite a few over the years.  Heck my wife even built a couple.

We have a contest every year at MoJam that is a bow built with nothing but a hatchet, B50 and beeswax.

Lots of fun.

Mike
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: Roy Steele on February 17, 2009, 09:17:00 AM
Along time ago I made one at a surviourclass.I made mine from hickoryin an afternoon.The only advice is have a really sharp hatch to scrape.Also did a three day surviour class and made one with just flint.If it had'nt been for fishing line and snares[that we wer'nt surpose to have me and my parter would have starved.The last day I did get two squrril shots.MISSES
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: eaglefeather on February 18, 2009, 04:57:00 PM
Thanks to all who answered!!!
Title: Re: need info for making selfbow w/hatchet
Post by: The Gopher on February 19, 2009, 06:43:00 PM
For the mojam contest you can use a file to keep the hatchet sharp can't you? i thought that this was set for safety concerns of people hacking away with dull tools, but in absolutly no way can the file be used on the bow. Am i right?