Hi all,
Just curious if anyone knew of a bowyer in the lower 48 who designed completely customized bows. What I mean is riser shape and design as well. Essentially building your bow from the ground up without a standard template? Any ideas?
Best,
Ed
That is a tough one, because your not only asking for a custom bow, but one that is unique. I have never heard of a bowyer that makes the form then makes the bow and maybe never use the form again, that is if that is what your asking.
Just to let you know, there is tha Cabin Fever shoot at Blacknightsbowbenders this Sunday, hope to see you there.
Thanks for the info! I know what you mean; I've got several custom setups but all adhere to the basic bowyer's structural design. Still, for me the riser is what can really set a bow apart. Where is the shoot?
Best,
Ed
If your just talking the riser you might be in luck especially if the bowyer doesn't use a CNC to make his risers. I knew of one that would make the grip however you wanted it as long as your design wouldn't cause structural weakness but he passed away last year.
Sounds interesting,what would the cost be for a one off custom made bow,$2500 or ? That would be unique to have a custom made bow just for the individual.Most bowyers offer custom fit grips for their bows that would be made to fit you.?I haven't heard of a bowyer that would custom design and build from ground up one bow at a time.They can spend a lot of time designing their bows to see what works good,different tapers,different lay ups of laminations,length of riser to get good performance from there bow designs.
Can't remember the name of the fella who was displaying his bows at the Trad Epo in Kalamazoo this past January, but he had several bows in which various figures were carved into/out of the risers. Each was different/unique.
make your own?....
The bowyer at Kalamazoo was Flatline bows out of Indiana. It might be called Flatliner. If you google him you will also get a Bowyer in Australia. He had some unique stuff carved on his bows. They shot well too. Heavy mass.
If you want unique have a self bow made. Otherwise I would personally not mess with a bowyers "recipe" outside of grip. All good bowyers spend much time and money working on their designs so they are balanced and efficient. That's just me though. If you have it done please be sure to share pictures!
what do you want?
I'm kinda glad this came up. I don't mean to hijack the original posters thread, but Id like to have a riser built for a set of limbs. The original riser has a crack it in but it shot so well for me I couldn't help but fall in love with the bow.
Now I feel like I have a pet rattlesnake...it doesn't matter how much I love it, it's gonna bite me one if these days lol.
Could I send my riser and limbs to somebody who would make me a new riser? The original bowyer passed away.
Sorry for hijacking your thread Ed. I just didn't see the need in starting a new topic on the same basic subject though. Thanks.
Brandon
Here's one being cut by hand. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zxg7xZoU5U
I could be wrong, but isn't Tim Meigs Duo-Flex long bow pertty much his own design?
I have one & it's a great bow.
For a there piece takedown, the bowyer only needs to maintain the limb angles and riser length to use his standard limbs. Variations in the riser are only limited by the structural integrity of the riser and ones imagination. Just look at the hundreds riser designs that are currently out there. Most bowyer's make variations or copy other risers but I truly doubt there are many, if any, variations that haven't been tried and aren't being built if they achieve function and form. Custom accents and carvings are of course unlimited.
Joe Romito at SS Custom Archery Takes custom orders. He has a stock line, but has built horse bows and other designs. Last I heard he was taking a break from Bowyering to work in the oil fields in North Dakota but it wouldn't hurt to contact him on facebook he has a page under SS custom Archery.
QuoteOriginally posted by BCR1985:
Hi all,
Just curious if anyone knew of a bowyer in the lower 48 who designed completely customized bows. What I mean is riser shape and design as well. Essentially building your bow from the ground up without a standard template? Any ideas?
Best,
Ed
Yup.... You've got one right here. Every one of my own designs have come from scratch. Oh i may see something i like the looks of and design the bow similar.
What ever your hearts desire, within reason i could build it for you, as long as i have the freedom to make it something that will be practical.
There are limits to certain materials and what i can do with them, as well as geometry vs length situations.
Kirk
I not only build complete customs I have actually built forms for one bow for a customer. Its simply a matter of time and cost and a customer that knows what they want and is willing to pay for it.
As to risers for limbs. I have done that many times. Send your riser and your limbs. I do this quite a bit for guys that have bows that the original bowyer is deceased or not building anymore.
God bless, Steve
"If you want unique have a self bow made. Otherwise I would personally not mess with a bowyers "recipe" outside of grip. All good bowyers spend much time and money working on their designs so they are balanced and efficient. That's just me though. If you have it done please be sure to share pictures!"
I agree with ceme24... It took me several trials before I was able to perfect my own creation with no hand shock or stack. These bowyers spend a significant amount of time and energy coming up with their formulas.
Thanks all for the great posts! This is definitely some food for thought!
Ed
I thought you were looking for some particular styled bow.
I've done it a bunch of times over the last 8 years. I just made one last month for a guy and had to make a separate form or it. I involved him with the initial drawing, he like it, so I made the form, made the bow, and I'm just waiting on him to pay me for it and I'll send it to him.