I just ordered one of Mike Mecredys (Mad Dog Archery) bamboo backed longbows in Osage and was looking for some thoughts on these type of bows. I have never shot one and wanted one for going to shoots/events but, was wondering how they perform for hunting. The bow will be 69", 45# @ 29". Appreciate any and all input.
I love them I would not hunt with anything elce. Killed my first bull elk this year with an osage self bow 57# @ 27" and 700 gain ash arrows. I got a complete pass thru at 18 yards. Greg
Now that's impressive! Exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks
No reason a primitive bow shouldn't perform well for you, it's just a matter of gaining your confidence in it's use and shootability. There are some more concerns with maintenance of an all-wood bow, but many will perform right up there with their counterparts. Good luck!
By the way, you can check out our successes in the "Memorable hunts" forum, look for the "Baker season so far..." thread ( or something like that)
Mark, I just skimmed through your thread and I must say those are some fine animals taken with this style of bow. I was wondering, what are the more concerns with an all wood bow? Is there something special I need to know to take care of mine when I receive it?
First, a bamboo backed bow is a "laminate" bow even if it is all wood. A self bow is made from a single piece of wood. All wood laminate bows are right in there with glass bows for performance. You are going to like shooting it.
Care of wood bows:
Unbrace (unstring) them when not in use. You can leave a glass bow strung forever without effecting it - as long as it is not over heated. But, a wood bow will slowly take a permanent set if you leave it strung for a long time. It is fine to leave it strung all day when hunting or shooting.
Don't draw it farther than your usual draw length or let any one else with a longer draw shoot it. Again, this can induce set.
Arrow tuning is more critical for most wood bows because they are not cut as far to center (or even at all towards center) as bows with risers. Arrows at about the spine rating per draw weight are in the ball park, ie. 45# spine for your 45# draw weight bow. You may need 5-10#'s either up or down from there depending on your form and arrow length & tip weight.
All wood bows are not as durable as their fiberglass counterparts, and they certainly will not last as long. They may last for many years, however. Fiberglass tends to mask any flaws in the wood, whereas an all wood bow will eventually show it's flaws, not only natures, but in design and miss-use.
You must unstring your all-wood bow after every hunt/shooting session to maximize life. Also, an all-wood bow is near it's breaking point at full draw, and given that it may have only so many shots in it's "bow-life", it is wise to shoot such a bow a bit quicker. In other words, if you are a "snap shooter" your bow will last longer than if you "hold" at full draw. Not to discourage or encourage your shooting style, but these are things to consider. Wood has a memory, and it will show it much sooner than fiberglass bows.
Also, they may be more susceptable to environmental changes...something to consider.
So, I hope this does'nt "scare" you off....think of it as being more "in tune" with your bow, and your hunt. There is a whole lot of satisfaction in hunting with these bows and they have soul and character unmatched in more modern materials.
Not scared off at all but, as for environmental changes, I live in Oregon and it rains a lot in my area. Anything special for wet weather?
Just a word of warning...........It could become another, ummmmm ba, good habit!
As long as an all natural materials bow has a good finish on it, you should not have problems with it in the rain. All materials, despite the best of finishes will acclimate to their surroundings. Sustained high humidity will cause higher moisture content in wood or bamboo. This doesn't necessarily mean your bow's performance will suffer noticeably. Lean on your bowyer for specifics on the bow you have.
Listen to Mark Baker! Wood bows are functional artwork and capable of taking any animal in North America. Must have confidence!! Good luck.
justin
I have made a number of bows backed with Bamboo (Osgae, Ipe, Hickory) All have performed well. I believe the Osage to be the best, but honestly the cast vs. bow draw weight seems to be about the same in all of them.
To me, it really depends on your preferences and what you want to do with your bow.
My niche is the Mountain Man Rendezvous 'primitive' archery events and Historcial Reinactments. It becomes an issue as to what the organizations or sponsors want to define as "primitive" - "Traditional" - "Historically Correct"
If you do not intend to particiapte in shoots that have 'specfic rules' then you can shoot whatever you desire for what you can afford.
If you are concerned about certain traditions or historical correctness, you need to know your subject well and choose according to those guidelines.
Overall, I don't think you can beat Osage for a bow wood and Pacific Yew is my next choice. Some of my events will allow a laminate backing, but many that do will require the backing to be a natural material available in the historic period that the organization is trying to replicate.
Selfbows have worked for me for many years and I hope many more! Only type of bow I shoot now a days. I wouldn't hesitate hunting anything with them.
Thanks for all the input folks. I really appreciate it. As I stated, I really wanted this bow to take too some shoots but, now I'm thinking I might dedicate a couple of weeks during deer season to hunt with it.
Mike informed me last night that he was running about 13 weeks out for production so, I've got some time to look into the hunting aspect. I am going to use cedar shafts tipped with some old bear razorheads that I've got on hand. Will that be a heavy enough arrow? Or should I go with a heavier tip. I think the razorheads are 125gr.
Flatstick makes some of the prettiest selfbows out there. I got to handle one this past weekend, it was/is a piece of art, not just a bow
Flatstick, could you post a few pics of some of your self bows? I would like to see your handy work. :thumbsup:
I think they're cool. :cool:
I've been hunting with selfbows since 1990. There is no need to worry about their efficiency, accuracy or durability. If it's a well made, well tillered bow shooting arrows that "fit the bow", you'll do just fine with them. I have bows with thousands of shots and have never had a finished bow fail. Heat is a definite enemy, so store your bow, unstrung, in a nice place away from heat sources. Keep a good paste wax finish on the bow and water will never be a problem. Mark's advice is right on. If someone else wants to shoot your bow, make sure they use YOUR arrows to avoid overdrawing. Be sure to explain that an all wood bow should be shot without holding at full draw for very long. I think Mark touched on that. My buddies call me a snapshooter and worse, but I just tell em I don't take all day to pick a spot. Ralph
Wannabe 1, here is a link to some photos that I have on WebShots. Nothing fancy, I only make a couple a year for my daughter and me. But your welcome to look at the pics. I'm telling you,selfbows can be addictive! :scared:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/70604484aBKPGW
And here is a link to some lucky days with the selfbow
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/69533600IJgheI
Flatstick, you're killing me! :bigsmyl: Those are some nice looking bows and animals taken with them. :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing as that just boosted up my desire to hunt with one. I wish I had a shop or garage to learn how to make my own.
Anyone else got photos of your Selfbows? Would love to see different styles.
This one went to Tim and made meat
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i144/frenchymanny/Fulldraw.jpg)
It was made from a fantastic stave
F-Manny
F-Manny, that is a nice looking bow!
Ok, I found a website to remain nameless and have a question. Self bows not having the longevity of standard bows, how is that one can be priced at $900.00-$1200.00? What would make a self bow worth that much money? I'm just curious as the ones I've been looking at are none over $250.00 and look just as nice.
Wannabe1, I have a lemonwood bow that is backed only with clarified calfskin (rawhide)...the same material used in banjo heads. It is over sixty years old and has been traveling the road for over two years now to myriad shooters who give it a real go.
A bamboo back osage, unless there is an inherent flaw, will last your lifetime. Just keep it sealed well and shoot the darned thing. By the way, I took a 170 pound buck with the old lemonwood...complete penetration. Your bow will be faster than the old lemonwood that severely follows the string.
Presently I have a selfbow, one piece hickory made by David Mims. That thing is a shooter for sure and I expect it to give me some good hunts.
Here's a photo:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/oldearcher46/bunny004.jpg)
George, thanks for the input. That is impressive that that bow has been going for that long. I am excited on receiving mine, and have already found a Traditional Bowyers Bible Vol. 1 to purchase and start on making one of my own. I have made up my mind to hunt deer this year with the one I have coming.
That is a nice looking one you have there also.
Very nice one, F-Manny. Here's my first osage flatbow from 10 years ago:
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/OsageBow017.jpg)
(http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/hh472/ishoot4thrills/OsageBow2004.jpg)
Very nice bow Douglas, looks like a keeper!
:thumbsup:
F-Manny
Thanks F-Manny. It is waaayyyy too much bow for me though (originally 67#@28"). Fortunately, it's overbuilt so I have room to work it down some more. My scale shows it still pulls at least 66#@28". So it still is holding up well after 10 years.
What do you guys use to seal your bows with? When I get the chance to make my own, I will have to compensate for the rain here in Oregon.
i have a bow from Mark that is very special to me and is still going strong!!! just took it out hunting last sunday. thanks again Mark for such a fine bow!
Wannabe-I think I know what site you were looking at. If it is who I am thinking of he doesn't have time to build many so he tries to make it worth the impingement on his time. Lots of great selfbows are available for much less but if you evaluate a good selfbow compared to a lam bow the selfbow has a good deal more labor in it.
Tree Man, I guess putting it that way, I can see the reasoning behind it. If a man only made a few bows, and quality bows at that, sooner or later it would pay off as they have potential to become a collectors item. Not ever having made one or seen one made, I guess I didn't think of the labor of love probably put into the building process.
Since I am sure you know who I am talking about, I will say he had some handsome looking bows on his web page. A couple I wouldn't mind owning myself! :bigsmyl:
couple pic's of my Baker bow.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/bows/garage.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/bows/handle2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/bows/ramhorn.jpg)
Nice looking bow Ken. One day Im gonna make one...good thread.
That is sweet! Is it more of a flat bow than a longbow?
couple pics of my Joe Weed bow "War Dog"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/bowie.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/shooting.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v119/adkmountainken/warbuck2.jpg)
yes more so of a flat bow as is my Joe Weed bow.
War Dog is the bow I seen on your other post. I really like the looks of this one. What are it's specs?
QuoteOriginally posted by Wannabe1:
What do you guys use to seal your bows with? When I get the chance to make my own, I will have to compensate for the rain here in Oregon.
I used Shellac to seal mine. I think many use linseed oil.
around #60@28 and i belive 64 long, will check in the morning as its in the man cave (basement) and the dogs are sleeping.
So Wannabe when are you gonna be ready to learn about the labor of love involved in building your own ?
Windtalker, I have a copy of the Traditional Bowyers Bible Vol 1 coming soon. I am hoping this will provide enough instruction to complete my first attempt at a selfbow. I have always like learning new things and take pride in the accomplishment of something done by hand. Especially my hands :)
Have you built one before?
Yes I took Teds class at his place in Hood River got to put in to practice what I read in the books(and learn from his years of experience)And got to check out some of his work. Let me tell you, a selfbow is every bit as efficent as any other weapon.And fun to make , I'm on #3. Oh yeah go ahead and order volumes 2,3 and 4 your going to want them(great books)and give me a holler when your ready I've got a stave of osage I'll give you if you want it. Art
There are lots of ways to spend money. For $1500 you can spend 1 week getting one on one instruction from Ed Scott of Owl bows. For those dollars you get lessons, leave with a completed sinew-backed bow, a sinew-backed bow partway through the process and quite few guys manage to crank out a completed selfbow also. You can rationalize that you will wind up with $1300-1700 worth of bows plus a ton of ideas.
Hey Wannabe,
I am thinking of ordering a bamboo backed bow from Maddog as well. My question is what length I should get with my 27" draw. I am only 5'8" and don't want to go too long.
All wood bows are great fun.I personally believe there is no better hunting bow for whitetails if you have a good one.They are so quiet it gives the hunter an edge.As far as I am concerned the only true custom bow is a selfbow.No two can be exactly alike because the piece of wood decides what the bow will be like not a form. jmo
I now have 2 bows on order. I've got a 70" Yew D-style longbow in the 45# range in the works from another member. By the time I'm ready for another one, I'll be up to making it myself. Wanted to give a couple a try before taking on that job.
James, appreciate your input. Solidifies my decision to hunt deer this year with only a self bow.
Selfbows are all I shoot. Jawge
http://georgeandjoni.home.comcast.net/~georgeandjoni/
Wannabe, These are the 2 self bows I made this year to hunt with. One is a 60" osage bendy handle recurve and the other is a self yew bow. Both about 48#@26". The yew bow is sealed with hand rubbed bear fat and the osage recurve is sealed with Tru-Oil gun stock finish. Pat
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/PatBNC/forPA017.jpg)
Those are real nice looking bows. I especially like that recurve. Was that hard to get the tips to bend like that?
Osage bends easy with a bit of heat and holds the bend well. Pat
Here is a sampling of some self-bows that I have made.
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Hazel/hazelnut03.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio//YewLongbow/YewLongbow_012.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/RonsBow/RonsBow10.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/BradsVM/vinemaple_7.jpg)
(http://mysite.verizon.net/res0oeio/Serviceberry/SBsapling_05.jpg)
Excellent, gordonf. Those are gorgeous bows with superb tiller. Very nicely decorated, too.
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Man, this is getting better and better! Those are sweet bows! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: I particularly like that last one.
TW go for it!! nothing better than to work on one of your own, heck if you mess up and you will (we all have) don't worry it's just wood. Get another piece and start again. It's kinda theraputic (stress relieveing) to work on a selfbow
Aw man those are so good!! Especially the last one! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Gordon, seems I remember that you tend a gathering every year that has self bow making classes. Is that correct? If so, what is the name and what time frame does it take place?
T.W.
I might be a litle slower them some of the more experienced bowyers here (I have only made around 60-65 selfbows) each of these bows took over eighty hours to make and finish. If I was to sell it for what the market is willing to pay I would be working for less then minimun wage, therefore I will not sell my bows. Those I do not keep for myself are donated to good a cause/group or given friends.
Donated to PBS for the 2008 banquet.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/treedlion2-27-08III026.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/treedlion2-27-08III037.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/treedlion2-27-08III003.jpg)
Donated to Tradgangs St. Judes Auction, 2008
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/StJudes2008007.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/StJudes2008011.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/StJudes2008006.jpg)
Walt,I really like the shape of that top bow! Much respect to you and for what you do. :thumbsup:
Indains lived over 10,000 years with theres.For me I've built bows for 18 years.Kiied 33 bucks so far.Just hunt the wind a little better get a little closer.But ain't thats bow hunting all about. ROY steele WV.