All this talk about laminates, composites, risers, limb core, fiberglass, carbon fiber and so on... Don't nobody jest use a stick and string no more? Let's get a shout out to all you Self-Bow Archers and Bowyers out there.
P.S I have read all three bibles and every thing I could get my hands on by Jim Hamm but American Indian Archery By Reginald Laubin hands down my favorite book on archery check it out. :thumbsup:
Should have been at Mojam a week and a half ago. sounds like you would have liked it.
The answer is yes !! :wavey:
Tracy
my osage beauty is in the works now, but you all have to wait until it's finished to see the goodies (unless you happen to check out the link in my profile).
:)
Hi, My name is Bernie. I switched to all wood (primitive), and Cane or wood arrows a year ago, and I am addicted - LOL
(I even sold my Adcock ACS to a dear friend - see the ATAR thread)
I like em all.
Its all Good, long as there is lack of training wheels... LOL I love to shoot primitive bows but havent converted yet... :thumbsup:
Selfbows rule!
QuoteOriginally posted by Shaun:
Selfbows rule!
That's fine as long as you don't endeavor to apply your rule to everyone. :)
Bill
Only selfbows for me!!
With a good rose shoot or cane arrow!!!
Making and shooting self bows is fun, thats for sure.
Been back to shooting wood bows for a decade now. (Had a couple when I was a kid.)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d72/Reparrow/hickoryfulldraw3-08.jpg)
Breaking nocks at 22 yards pretty often with this hickory stave bow.
Gee is there a difference, don't the deer DIE the same !!!!!
Carl
I've been back a forth some. Recently started back with all natural bows. Bamboo backed osage of hickory. I need to get the picks of my lasted creation on here. I like them all. Went to laminated bow and carbon arrow cause I didn't think I was consistent enough with the BBO bow and cedar arrows. I'm shooting it quite well lately. Plan to hunt with bow and arrows of my own making this fall.
Sarah, are you making this bow of which you speak? You go girl!
I'm not speaking to clearly tonight. Tired. I hope you know what I mean.
I suppose there's a charm to having half a dozen attempts of bowmaking end in shattered dreams. Hey, I'd never ever tell someone their Osage crooked-stick isn't "purty" and all that. But, I'm sure there's a guy somewhere, looking at a bowyer whose just created his best effort self-bow and asking...aren't there any spearmen anymore? All this talk about sticks and strings...give me a 7 foot shaft and flint spear head for my game killin!
Dan
b.glass: you bet! with the help and guidance of LM CHIEF @ WORK (aka Dave)
check it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paintpoppy/sets/72157606423073592/
i'll post the whole dealie in its own thread when she's done.
I got caught up in using ipe backed with hickory and just seem to keep playing with that combo as it sure makes a nice bow, My latest, a 64" 62# pyramid design, I call her Jane as in plain Jane, is a sweet shooter and she smokes. This is what I'll use for elk this year.
Youall make me mad. I wish I had some bowmaking skill. True story, I built a doghouse once for my dog, Tuffy he was my coyote decoy, he was to ashamed to use it, so my hats off to all you bowyers out there, You would all hang me high if you saw all the osage, and mulberry I cut up for firewood. I will have to stay with my longbow until one of you come out and show me how its done.
Wow I think I'm going to like it here all you guy & gals rock and for full disclosure my old grizzly II and my glass Kodiac magnum and yes my RC 150 crossbow don't collect much dust from lack of use. I am a firm believer in let those who ride or shoot decide but I sure love my Osage self bows...alot! Thanks for all the great comments it was a wounderful welcome to tradgang.
C Lewis
I've been building self bows for about 20 years and been hunting with then exclusively for the last 3 years. I make my arrows with hardwood shoots and cane and tip them with stone or trade points. I'm even going with Cherokee 2 fletch arrows this year. My goal is to see how simple I can get and still be effective.
So far I have not taken an animal with my gear but have had some close calls. I am more particular about what shots I will take and have had only a few opportunities that just didn't pan out. I am not discouraged because I know my first will be a real thrill. Pat
I've got to confess that fiberglass is fun but wood speaks to me deeply. I had the most fun missing a deer with my hickory stick last fall than I would have if taken it any other way. Last night I chased the first ring on an osage stave I harvested and seasoned. Yes, I'm in this bad.
I built a board bow I did use glue for the arrow pass, handle overlays & to keep the wedges nocks in place. Other then that I made it myself for one piece of red oak
when this site first started, there was a ton of self bow/primitive buildalongs. During the winter months, the whole front page was full of new self bow creations/works in progress. Wasn't much fiberglass talk at all. I hardly see any of the "old" guys on here anymore. I kinda miss it.
Selfbows are my primary weapon.
I was noticing the shift from primitive as well, am begining to wonder if I am missing something other selfboyers arent. Or maybe we are just busy applying our trade without as much time to "chat" afterall I dont buy much of my stuff, I am making almost everything now.
(http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/JackSkinner/broadheads/JACKSPICTURES183.jpg)
How many of you self-bow shooters go "all-natural", shooting bows with strings made from organic, historically accurate primitive materials? Just curious, as my "sticks" still sport Dacron strings.
I would guess my stuff to be as much "period" as primitive. B-50 for me still maybe waxed linen soon but gut will be a little while, may try to make a string or two durning this archery season, if I shoot straight. Shafts are turned from a board not shoots or cane. Still use some modern glues instead of hide glue. And WY does not allow stone so I make my broadheads from saw steel in a tradepoint style. Begains to sound not very primitive at all, but making it myself was my first goal, then going all natural can follow.
From what I understand even the most primitive of bowyers and archers indian and caveman alike were creatures of opportunity and were masters of utilizing the available materials on hand; stone & bone, copper & steel and cordage what ever could be found they used. They were the original recyclers my dad called it "field expidiancy" I say "get er done"