I was wondering if someone could tell me where to find a bowyer that makes character bows. I've been out of traditional archery for awhile and would like to get back in and am wanting a character bow. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
We make character selfbows on custom orders.
Mike
Check out Raptor Archery. He's a sponsor on here and makes some beautiful bows.
Raptor, Dryad and Owl Bows.
Next question: After thinking about it a little bit, I'd like to try my hand at making one. Besides a stave, could some of you list for me the things I'd need to build my own bow. Just the necessities, nothing special. All info is appreciated. Thanks for your responses. Make a list of things I'd need everyone ;)
I'd guess you'd need a vise/clamp, a good rasp and file, a draw-knife, a caliper is always handy and a pencil :)
If you ask this question in the Bowyers Bench area of the site, you may have better luck.
i just had two made by Ryan Gill[twistedlimbs].one is osage and one is winged elm.he puts alot of caracter in his bows.he is fast and reasonably priced.gillsprimitivearchery.com.give him a look,steve
Gary Davis makes a good bow blank to get you started! You can get snakey to!
Add a tillering tree to the list of things you will need.
If you have never built a bow a character bow might not be what you want to start with.
John Strunk, I believe its spirit bow co in Tillamook Oregon. Frank
what is a character bow
a character has ,bends ,knots ,holes in the limbs ,if you get one thats got some snake to it and then throw on some snake skins ,
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z281/jpg122471/005-5.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z281/jpg122471/002-8.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z281/jpg122471/100_1375.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z281/jpg122471/100_1271.jpg)
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z281/jpg122471/100_1373.jpg)
nice snakes.can't wait til i can post pics of mine.everyone needs a snakey selfbow,steve
I agree with stickhead.Snakey,knotty osage would not be my first choice.I do remember a few years back in Primative Archer there was a article on making a fake snakey bow from decrowned Hickory.Might be a little easier,Good luck,Glen
Thanks for the replies. When I said I'd like to build one, I wasn't wanting to build a character bow just because I know I'd need experience before I took on the task of character bows. Thanks for everyone's help, especially seabass.
If you do want to build a Osage bow I would call Gary Davis he has really nice roughed out bow blanks the growth ring is chased they are ready for you to do the tillering.