A good bowyer can mess up and fix it---
A better bowyer takes his time and don't mess up----much! 10-4?
that is true, the most important thing to do in making bows is to have patience
Well, perhaps. However, with selfbows you're dealing with an organic material that often behaves unreasonably. Sure, the better bowyer will know what pitfalls may lie ahead and subsequently how to avoid them. He (or she) may also be able to better read just what kind of bow that particular wood species and stave/billets can safely produce.
However, traditional bowyery, just like traditional bowhunting, is about taking advantage of opportunities presented. I've seen a lot of fantastic, A+ bowyers have a mess up now and then (which is why you said "much" I think!). With laminated bows you have much more control. Selfbows are wild little creations with so many more variables that sometimes give unexpectedly. It's one thing to have a bow break from a poor lamination glue-up...selfbows are often another story. If that tree was supposed to bend like that it woulda' grown that way. The way I see it, a great bowyer is anyone who can take that tree and "mess it up" and then "fix it" into doing something it wasn't designed to do. :)
But, you're main point is much needed....HAVE PATIENCE!!!!!
Well guess I am a good Bowyer:) Some day I'll be a better Bowyer:) I hope.
very true. I have almost made bows doing everything right and had them blow. I've had bows that were promised to me to blow up and shoot very well. I guess that is why I have never made a laminate bow. I love the unexpected.
Am i a good boyer? well i enjoy my bows. When I made them for others years ago they enjoyed them. Game has been taken with them. :coffee: