Self bows, and building self bows, has really been giving me an itch. I made a few BBO's that turned out pretty good; but I began feeling the urge to get deeper involved with something more gnarly, and felt the need for some hands on with a pro looking over my shoulder.
So, my hunting partner-who has been feeling the same itch- and I headed up to Hood River, Oregon to spend a week with Ted Fry at Raptor Archery.
This area is an outdoor person's Mecca: hunting, fishing, windsurfing, year 'round skiing-you name it, and of course, bow building.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0371sm.jpg)
This is the view of Mt.Adams to the north and the Columbia River runs through thr town of Hood River.
The next morning we walk over to Raptor Archery, Ted is ready for us and suggests we start by shooting a few self bows that are there at his store. Adam and I grab a bow and get busy! Wow! What a blast!
Then we get busy discussing preferences, wood choices, and planning our bows.
Along with all the items one would expect of a fully stocked Trad Archery Shop, Ted has absolutely every kind of bow wood at hand in any quantity you can imagine.........we came to the right place!
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0396.jpg)
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0381sm.jpg)
Adam decides to do an Osage character bow from this stave-imagine getting that in the mail?
I choose billets for a take down Yew bow.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0380sm.jpg)
Here's Ted Fry and Adam with his stave. This is a 10 pound chunk of Osage-the finished bow will weigh about a pound. 90% will end up as kindling on the shop floor. Adam's adventure is about to begin....does he look excited?
can't wait to see more
Bjorn, what an adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us. Memories for a lifetime. Flint
this is going to be a good one....
I have a feeling this is going to be another Trad Gang classic! :thumbsup: :campfire: :coffee:
Thanks. Good to have a virtual tour of Raptor archery. I ordered a dozen shafts and I'm waiting for them now.
Glad to see you're having a good time with your son Bjorn. Stay cool and make some sawdust...look forward to watching this!
I was thumbing through the pics and noticed that Ted keeps the bear-away spray next to a fly-swatter bear. :saywhat:
I got a call from Ted this morning concerning his annual Texas Hunt(Feburary of 2009). I was surprised to find that Bjorn was there among others taking some bow classes. Sounded like they were having a great time and I hear Ted really knows how to teach Bowyery. I also see some bow blanks there I recognize. Good stuff! You guys keep the shavings flying! :thumbsup:
Just wanted to announce that Ted and I will be joining forces this year in South Texas to teach Bowyery(Ted's deal) and I'll be teaching bait-free hog hunting techniques that have been time tested in most any region. I teach you how to pattern hogs, bedding areas, finding the travel times, food sources and judging size and gender of hogs without seeing them. We;ll do evening hunts utilizing your new bows and newfound knowledge. These classes and hunt shall most likely encompass a 5 day period in early November. Hope to see you there. More to come. CK
I really like the start of this one! :campfire:
Bjorn,
Adam's smile says it all :thumbsup:
I was eyeballin' the glass case near the door. Where's my arrow? :saywhat:
What a great family vacation! Adam does indeed look like he is loaded for bear, and will do that stave justice. I am looking forward to THIS tale!
Killdeer :wavey:
Adam and Ted scraping the back of the stave to the ring they want.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0382sm.jpg)
Hi Killy! Your arrow is much more visible here........it is six from the bottom-what a rogue's gallery of arrows........Vern Grable, Fred Anderson, Glenn St. Charles, and many many more.
Meanwhile we check out the alignment of my takedown
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0384sm.jpg)
And I get ready for some serious material removal.
looking good on both bows.... More pic's
More pics-OK!
Jake is barely able to contain himself as Adam adds some finishing touches to his roughed out bow
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0387sm.jpg)
The tips on my stave get Elk overlays
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0389.jpg)
Just another day in Ted's office
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0398.jpg)
You both are working to hard for jake to keep up...
Nice thread. I love buildalongs. :) Jawge
Six is good...
My arrow is likely trying to keep a low profile in there amongst the great ones! I think I could just go in that shop and gawk for hours, or until Ted threw me out.
Those bows are shaping up very quickly! They are going to be some lookers, and shooters, no doubt. :thumbsup:
Killdeer
Hiya Jawge!
I was just poking around on your site today!
Killdeer :wavey:
Killy, do you have a pic of the arrow in Ted's shop? Not to high jack this thread I would like to see the arrow, if you have a pic that is.
Great job on Y'alls bows Bjorn & Adam
Is your bow osage also or yew, Bjorn? Good looking bows.
Danny
Looks like a blast! I'll be starting my first yew takedown soon, can't wait to see yours!
Hi Danny, Adam's bow is an unbacked Osage Character bow-I am envious!
Mine is a Yew takedown that will be backed with Elk Rawhide.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0388.jpg)
Here is the rawhide being dry fitted prior to glueing.
Adam takes his bow out for some exercise-he is not quite bringing it to full draw yet.
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0393.jpg)
This is one great thread!! :clapper:
bow has a nice curve to it..
Wow, what an exciting adventure. I have never been keen on selfbows, but you guys are starting to turn me on. Really looking forward to eyeballing those babies when you get home. (and maybe even taking a shot with them if I get lucky)
Thanks for the heads up email Bjorn - how did I ever miss this one? Must have been sleeping. :knothead:
Al (Als Decals)
Very cool Adam and Bjorn! Great looking bows. What an awesome experience the two of you are sharing.
Enjoying the pic's and story immensely! :notworthy:
Love the shirt Bjorn!!! I would have to think it would be hard building a bow listening to AC/DC though. I would get caught up in the music and get carried away with the tools!
CS
'Exercising' the take down!
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0407.jpg)
To describe Raptor as an archery shop is missing the point..........take a look at this!
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0395.jpg)
There is more Yew and Osage here than one could imagine. 30,000 dollars worth!!
Then there is antler; so many sheds of Elk I could not count them all. Feathers-natural and dyed; hand and machine chopped-all colors of the rainbow! You name it and it is here.
Rawhide, leather, snake skins, take down sleeves and tools!
If you are interested in bow building-or, you need some 'stuff' or advice, you have come to the source!
The team with completed bows: Sorry for the dark pic
(http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/bjornweb/DSCN0404.jpg)
What a week! Thanks Ted!! And thank y'all for reading about this fun, father-son experience!
If you look closely you can see the "T" in my TradGang T-shirt!
Bjorn,
I want to especially thank you for posting your pics at Raptor. Why, you may ask? Because I committed an archery sin. I was in Hood River all of last weak for the wife's uncle's wedding and didn't realise that Raptor was in that town :knothead: :knothead: . Looks like a great place!
Great thread, enjoyed it. That is one week that Adam and you will never forget.
Rick
Thanx for the story & pic's.... what are the stats on the bows?
What draw weight and length of draw did they come out to? So, are these your "carry-on" luggage? lol Do you think you guys will try this on your own now? I am going to start on my first next week. It must have really been nice to have an experienced set of eyes and hands nearby for input. They look great Bjorn! Good times!
:thumbsup:
great stuff thanks for sharing :thumbsup: :clapper:
thank you for the build along that would have to be one of the most awesome things to do you guys are lucky to have such a great sorce of help and no how hats off to you mr ted fry
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/TG%20Uploads/Raptor.jpg)
...played with it.
Killdeer
Great job! What an experience to share together. :thumbsup: :clapper:
What an awesome thread, Those bows both look great Bjorn. Tell Adam, Great Job!!!!!
Are you going to let him out shoot you at the next 3D Shoot with it? ;)
Too Cool, Folks that's the Good Stuff, Right there.
Trap
Thanks Killy, but I know you did that so you could see your arrow better-love the smile on Adam's face.
Trap, I will let Adam know, thanks!
Adam's bow is 42# @ 22" and 61" long.
Mine is 56@28 and 66"
We are both so jazzed about the performance and 'feel' of these bows-can't wait to make another.
You know, if you have a son or daughter that's expressing any interest in doing something like this I just can't recommend it more highly.
And Raptor is the place to do it.
Looks like you had a great time. Nice work on both bow. They look great
Ted's shop sure does look like the Outdoors mecca, fantastic! I have to plan a detour to this place one day... great pictures,thanks Bjorn
Hi Killy! I'm glad someone is using it. This sure was an awesome buildalong. Jawge
Great Job Fellas.Cool place Ted has there at Raptor Archery,I got to spend some time there last Oct. Next trip we will be shavin some wood !!!
Way to go guys! Glad you took us along. Can't wait to see some game fall with your new bows. It was fun looking around the shop too. Thanks! CK
Just remember come Nov Ted is joining 7th Age for a bow build Hog hunt.....Bjorn & Adam took us for a nice trip to Hood River, this is just to show everyone how Ted helps others to build bows... Great Job on the Bows Guys & thanx for the picture show of Raptor Archery shop.
Bjorn and Adam , what a grand week having you two hang out at the shop, not to mention the two beautiful bows that were created , hope I am there when you both take something with them.
This has inspired me to get a virtual tour of the store so all can see the ceiling to floor old bows ,quivers ,arrows ( even Killdeer's arrow). Not to mention old photos and such. I will look into this.
As Curtis said look for more in the future with classes available such as the 7th age and Raptor class coming in November, dont let Curtis fool you , this is as much about learning his incredible spot and stalk hog hunting as well as learning to hand craft a bow , then hunting to boot.
Also will be taking booking for the Raptor Archery annual bear hunt and bow building with Weitas creek outfitters in the beautiful bitterroot mountains of Idaho coming in May 2009.
These type of classes are a great way to learn to build bows while enjoying the friendship and hunting as well. You can always contact us here at the store for a more personal class as Adam and Bjorn did as well.
Thank you Bjorn and Adam for a fine week of bow building.
Nice Bows Guys.Whata neet experience.
Im lookin foreward to that virtual tour of the shop.Itll hold me over untill the real thing.My mom is in the Portland area.She keeps workin on me to come up n visit.Ill be travelin up the road to Raptor Archery,as part of that trip.