It is about time that i actually gave making a bow a try....gee ive only been on here 4 years and havent done it yet..... :D
I have the Bowyers Bibles and the first book has a pretty good description of how to do it....but where is a good place to get the staves? and i really think i would like to add a rawhide backing to it for strength because i know i will smack it into stuff and i would rather use this instead of another wood so the sap on the yew will show through....where do i get this?
and has anyone seen or tried out the pre shaped horn nocks that 3 Rivers sells?
Thanks all
Lance
Call Gary Davis.
Rattlestick Bows 989-845-7740
ttt
The best way is the way I did it. Go to selfbow.com and sign up for one of Jay St. Charles's bowmaking classes. He will provide the materials. You come out of it with a vacation in Washington state, a fine yew English longbow of your own manufacture, a good grasp of the skills of bowmaking and a memorable experience.... all for little more than you might spend on a factory bow. Or you could buy his dad's book 'From Billets to Bows' by Glenn St. Charles, a living national treasure.
Making a yew elb is not generally recommended for a beginner, but that being said, it's not impossible. The reason that most don't recommend starting with yew is price. A good yew stave is around $150 (last I saw) with osage being around $60 and hickory $40, that makes makes yew really expensive by comparison (not to mention harder to come by). Also yew is really thin ringed (harder to chase a ring on the back).
If your heart is set on a proper yew elb then I say go for it. Also, as longbowguy suggested, a tutor would a great help. Online help is great, but having someone there with experience is better.imho
Btw fwiw I have seen some fine elb's made from slippery (red) elm.
Steve i would LOVE to attend one of Jay's classes but the traveling and time off isnt possible for me right now. I will definately get his Dad's book.
and thanks Bamboo but yeah i am set on yew!
I did find a billet suppier.... http://www.murraysluys.com/BowStaves.html and a set of premium billets are $140 which even though more expencive than osage isnt complety horrible.
Has anyone bought yew from them before?
Thanks!
Lance
Lance,
If you are still searching for some good YEW wood would it would be worth calling TRADGANG sponsor Raptor Archery <> Hood River,Oregon.Ted Fry not only sells it he harvests it himself.Give him a call or email him with questions on any and all aspects of self-bows be it making,shooting and archery in general.He is a full time shop not weekend warrior. www.raptorarchery.com (http://www.raptorarchery.com) Hope this helps.
Tom
Makin' a new bow to go with your cane arrows, Lance? It's a disease, isn't it?
Gene
Lance, If this is gonna be your first bow I would recommend starting with a cheaper piece of wood for your first bow then go to the yew. I'm sure you would hate yourself if you screwed up a nice yew stave on a simple newby mistake.
A red oak, hickory, hard maple or other available hardwoods will give you the tillering experience you should have before you start with a good yew stave. If you have an abundance of yew then get started. Pat