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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ozy clint on April 17, 2009, 10:55:00 PM

Title: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: ozy clint on April 17, 2009, 10:55:00 PM

not fond of the straight style grip. also can you cut a shelf? how far?

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: Eric Krewson on April 18, 2009, 09:02:00 AM

You can make any grip you like on a selfbow. It is easy to glue on wood on the belly of your handle if you want more wood to shape.

Lots of people cut in a shelf on a selfbow but it is best not to cut it too deeply or your bow might break in the shelf. I found this out the hard way on the first osage bow I made.

I glue on a shelf now and narrow the arrow pass slightly.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: Pat B on April 18, 2009, 10:25:00 AM

Like Eric, I prefer to add a shelf to the handle area when one is called for. Less chance for a weak spot to occur.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: Frank on April 18, 2009, 08:40:00 PM

You just need to lay it out and take your time.

Here is a recurve that Allan made me out of an osage stave.  

I make sticks, he makes bows.

 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v171/FrankV/MVC-075S.jpg)

The handle is patterned like the old recurves that I like so much.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: TomMcDonald on April 19, 2009, 07:32:00 AM

Frank, nice bow. What are its specs?

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: Roy Steele on April 19, 2009, 01:12:00 PM

I put simi recurve handles all the time.Not as deep as recurve handles.You can put any kind of handles you like.
  I also cut shelfs in all of my selfbows.And I get as close to center shot as the stave will let me.Most of my bows are or very close to center shot.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: ozy clint on April 19, 2009, 05:45:00 PM

great looking bow frank! i'd love to make one like that

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: razorback on April 19, 2009, 10:09:00 PM

If you make a self bow that does not bend through the handle does it matter what type of handle yoy make. Does the forces of the draw and release matter to the handle if it is not bending. Just thinking.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: Pat B on April 19, 2009, 10:42:00 PM

Tony, If enough thought goes into the handle like the one Frank posted, it doesn't matter what style of handle goes into a stiff handled bow. With a rigid handle everything is static so more stable for different handle styles.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: razorback on April 19, 2009, 11:16:00 PM

Thanks Pat. Thats what I thought was the case. just have to make sure nothing is moving in the handle. Any movement/stress is going to cause potential problems, I guess.
Clint; make sure you keep us informed and post lots of pictures.

Title: Re: can you make a selfbow with a recurve style grip?
Post by: ozy clint on April 20, 2009, 10:48:00 PM

yeah it may be a few months before i get around to having a go at whitting a selfbow. no material or tools here where i am. any bowyers around cranbrook BC???