Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: ANT6184 on November 23, 2016, 10:30:00 PM

Title: Best bowyer education?
Post by: ANT6184 on November 23, 2016, 10:30:00 PM

Where would I begin to learn all of what's needed to become a proficient bowyer?

Is it all just self study, trial & error or are there skilled bowyers who offer education in the craft?

I'm in the planning stages of opening an archery range & equipment sales business outside of the U.S.  I have the knowledge required to work on modern archery tackle but I have access to a highly skilled woodworker where I'm opening the business.  I would like a way to teach him to make quality traditional bows as manufacturing them within the country would be far more economical than importing due to high import taxes & shipping costs.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: Mad Max on November 23, 2016, 11:13:00 PM

You found it.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: mikkekeswick on November 24, 2016, 03:43:00 AM

Trial and error and many bows. Making glass bows is more like engineering in wood than normal woodworking.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: Pago on November 25, 2016, 01:50:00 AM

Scrape scrape bend repeat.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: Pago on November 25, 2016, 01:53:00 AM

Sorry for the smart alec response, if I had to boil it down I would advise purchasing Bingham videos and starter kits etc.  If you want to get to production fast.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: peanut39350 on November 26, 2016, 11:47:00 AM

I'll second what pago said their video will show you step by step how to build a glass bow and after you see how its done and understand it a little search the bowyers bench and you will learn more than the bingham video will i learned a lot more on here but the bingham video helped me to understand what step of the process i was looking at in the buld alongs

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: forestdweller on November 26, 2016, 07:29:00 PM

Trial and error is what appeals to me so much about making bows. It's the only way I learn most things besides having a few references.

I'm sure the skills used to make all wooden bows transfers over to fiberglass backed bows as well.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: die_dunkelheit on November 28, 2016, 04:30:00 PM

The Traditional Bowyer's Bible book series is the very best reference I can think of. Get all 4, there is all kinds of good info in them ranging from actual construction and theory to historical information.

Title: Re: Best bowyer education?
Post by: macbow on November 28, 2016, 06:14:00 PM

For modern glass bows there are bowyers out there that offer coarses.
Won't mention the one I know of because I don't believe he is a sponsor.
Ocasionally a,bowyer needs to sell out and offers a learning experience with the purchase.