Post by: GMarcaurele on July 05, 2019, 11:24:59 AM
That being said, you guys seem to be a wealth of experience in the subject, so I would like to ask: If you could go back to the beginning of your bowyering “career”, what are some things you wish you would have known then that you have since learned the hard way?
Post by: canopyboy on July 05, 2019, 11:38:32 AM
Would have saved me lots of trouble. :laughing:
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 05, 2019, 12:07:56 PM
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 05, 2019, 12:11:13 PM
Starting out, you won't know anything.
Read a lot of books on it and even better yet find someone to tutor you hands on.
And ask all the questions you want in here, someone will be happy to help you.
Post by: Pat B on July 05, 2019, 12:31:29 PM
Post by: OkKeith on July 05, 2019, 03:06:49 PM
I wish I had gotten over worrying about failures earlier in my bow making. I still sweat the minutiae, but at some point always get over it and just start slinging glue and rasping wood. I have more turn out good than I used to. One of the MAJOR skills folks here in the Bowyers Bench have helped me with is how to fix my screw ups. I used to just chunk the whole thing. That made me cautious about investing in more or better materials.
Now I know these guys have probably made every boo boo possible and have figured out how to fix it. :)
I doubt I will ever go pro... but each bow gets me closer to the idea of "that one bow". Strive for perfection, settle for excellence and dont let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
OkKeith
Post by: Pat B on July 05, 2019, 04:56:06 PM
Post by: hunting badger on July 05, 2019, 07:56:34 PM
Post by: Crooked Stic on July 05, 2019, 09:27:55 PM
Post by: Flem on July 05, 2019, 10:01:57 PM
Post by: Wolftrail on July 05, 2019, 10:04:39 PM
+2 on the Patience and concentration. And when I started I knew nothing and still know nada. And what works for one person does not necessarily apply to another person. I have learned more by experimenting, I built my first 3 piece wood bow after 2 years into the craft and building only 6 one piece bows.
Post by: Shredd on July 05, 2019, 10:18:31 PM
- Making a bow that shoots well and has good performance is a war on thousandths of an inch...
- Go narrow on the limbs, within reason...
- Listen to others and take in their info but follow your heart on what path you take...
Post by: bigbob2 on July 06, 2019, 12:51:31 AM
Post by: jsweka on July 06, 2019, 11:16:43 AM
Another point I would like to make is to go with a proven design and not try to invent your own bows, that can come later after you have experience.
I'll second that and add one more thing...Use good materials. Don't be cheap otherwise your failures will add up to a lot of $$ which would have paid for the good materials in the first place.
Post by: GMarcaurele on July 06, 2019, 12:09:29 PM
Post by: kennym on July 06, 2019, 01:25:10 PM
Post by: Roy from Pa on July 06, 2019, 05:37:51 PM
Whenever you decide to buy materials for a bow, contact KennyM who is a sponsor on trad gang here.
He just posted above.
Give him a call.
He will help you like a best friend.
Here is his website below.
https://www.kennysarchery.com/
Post by: Fishinglink on July 06, 2019, 06:03:24 PM
I too would recommend Kenny. He has been very helpful and patient with me.
However if you get into wood and boo bows Roy knows his stuff. Just remember to listen to what he says.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Forwardhandle on July 06, 2019, 06:53:00 PM
Post by: monterey on July 06, 2019, 07:49:24 PM
Post by: George Tsoukalas on July 07, 2019, 08:30:19 AM
Post by: fujimo on July 08, 2019, 02:24:11 PM
the bowyers bibles, Torges's book and Comstocks book are all excellent reading material, and i recommend reading them all.
although , i have recently acquired this book, and IMO its the most clearly written, well researched and well illustrated book ( in fact it actually has more colour pics than there are pages in the book!!! :) ) on the subject i have come across.
i would highly recommend reading it.
I believe the author worked with Comstock on it.